"Ebbe"

Pastel on velour, 20" x 16"

My latest commission.

I'm "back in the saddle, again".  Finally--back in my studio, doing what I love to do!!  Since last November and thru March--life got in my way of having fun.  See below for some w.i.p. shots.  The owner of Ebbe also purchased my small preliminary piece I often do to warm up, get a feel for what I'm doing, and make sure I'm getting the coloring correct.  I usually don't show it to the customer, but I took it with me when I revisited Ebbe, and she(the owner) bought it on the spot.  That was exciting!!  Ebbe is a beautiful German short haired retriever and has a great personality.  I not only loved meeting him but also painting him!!

Enjoy!

Transferred onto the velour paper and started blocking in some darks.

Did some lights, the nose and tongue.

Blocked in the body and started working on the white hair--which was not easy.

The small one finished.

"I Love Ya, Bro."

Also known as Creed.

Pastel, 10"x8"

This past summer, my niece, Brooke, showed me some photos of a boxer dog she absolutely adores--Creed.  His owner is a friend of her and Clay.  This was one of those "I have to paint this dog".  The look on his face was so enticing and I loved this coloring.  He is a Fawn Boxer dog.  Brooke contacted Creed's owner, who sent me more pics and gave me permission to paint him.

The one photo that had the look I wanted was not good for referance (too dark in background, and the light source washed out his coloring).  However, the other photos gave me good referance on coloring, and I did my usual research on getting to know my subject matter better.  I am finding out that by researching about my subjects involves me more with my paintings.  I hope I get to meet Creed some day.  He was a joy to paint!

Enjoy!!

Here are some work in progress shots.

Transferred my design and started working on the darks. 

Started on his eyes and lighter colors.

Working on lighter and medium colors to get my form.

Playing with background.

 Finished.