Tag Archives: art dog

Fluffy and Big-Nose Sketching, for December

Hello! Thank you for stopping by my neglected (again!) blog! I also have a neglected Tumblr and Flickr account. Woo! I do try to post new art to Facebook, if you want to see more things.

It is December 13th. I wanted to write a book this year, and though I did not finish a book, the plan to write a book actually did spur some book-related writing! So, now instead of a vague idea for a book, I have 3-5 ideas and some scribbles to go with each!

Meanwhile, I’ve been sketching a variety of big-nose and fluffy creatures, while watching my current favorite show in all of the universe – Agatha Christie’s Poirot. I don’t know if the show has influenced the drawings, but if so, I don’t mind!

Pencil sketches, 2.5" x 3.5", Poirot set one

Pencil sketches, 2.5″ x 3.5″, Poirot set one

Pencil sketches, 2.5" x 3.5", Poirot set two

Pencil sketches, 2.5″ x 3.5″, Poirot set two

Pencil sketches, 2.5" x 3.5", Poirot set three!

Pencil sketches, 2.5″ x 3.5″, Poirot set three (includes one in color from set 1)!

Pencil sketches, 2.5" x 3.5", Poirot set four

Pencil sketches, 2.5″ x 3.5″, Poirot set four

I have this idea to paint some of these characters, likely in acrylics. But as some of you may know, I have had the HARDEST time getting myself to start painting. It’s the whole – tons of supplies to set up, cleaning up, the brushes the mess, oh my! But it could happen. And if it does, I shall post about it here.

Thank you kindly for stopping by! If it’s your first visit, I will try not to wait another six weeks for the next posting! If you’ve been here before and returned, thank you ever so kindly. You’re all the very best. :)

 

Muriel’s Patented Pet Perch and a Motorcycle, Pen & Ink

Muriel’s Patented Pet Perch
2.5″ x 3.5″ Copics, fine liners, white gel pen

Endive the Beaked Tamarin was just a wee tomato of a pet when Muriel designed the hat contraption for him. Now that he’s grown, he is a bit more of a (literal) pain in the neck.

And here is a purple motorbike. With a couple of goofy beasts. Made for a silent auction for the Miracle Ride Foundation.

Jethro, Tully and Gertrude
5″ x 7″ Copics, fine liners white gel pen (matted)

Thanks for stopping in! Apologies for erratic posting. I suspect most of you know what that’s like!

[portfolio_slideshow id=4453].

The Princess Violet, Sheep and Songwriter

Princess Violet and Fiona Riona Bologna
Each 2.5″ x 3.5″ Copics, fine liners, white gel pen

The Princess Violet was a difficult sheep child, a source of rarely ending exasperation for Fiona, her governess. When feeling particularly cheeky or impatient with her studies, Violet would sing little songs about a wise old fruit seller called Fiona Riona Bologna who sometimes played matchmaker to a succession of curious characters in a small Italian village.

Copic marker art cards for Paint Party Friday. Thanks for dropping in!

[portfolio_slideshow size=”large”]

Lord Stinkeye Chihuahua, Pen and Ink

Lord Stinkeye
2.5″ x 3.5″ Copics, fine liners, white gel pen

A fine person called Sarah (The WonderStrumpet!) posted a pic of her dog Tigi in a discussion about fancy clothes, so it seemed clear she was hoping he would end up in some. And so he  has. (Though his nose is too big in my version, arrrgh.)

Side-by-Side Chihuahuas
Two photos by Sarah, with Lord Stinkeye between
(Also, I cropped the photos.) :)

Not too bad! He doesn’t look like a Stinkeye, but perhaps he was more ornery in a misspent youth. (And to be fair, she didn’t say he WAS a stink eye. Only that he gave her one. And who hasn’t given a stink eye or two?)

Hello to Paint Party Friday! And one more thing. I made a Flickr set of fancy clothes (human and beast) Woo!

[portfolio_slideshow size=”large”]

 

 

Two Dogs, Acrylics in Progress

Welcome to Day 2 of 29 Faces, and I’m still working on the two dogs. Their names have been divined (Rocco and Harmony), the color has been brightened, and many details added.

Rocco and Harmony
12″ x 12″, Acrylics on canvas work in progress

Rocco’s eyes and mouth went through some big changes (see progress pics at the bottom of the post)! He is looking a bit sadder, but also more three dimensional and his nose is greatly improved!

I spent 7-8  hours on this today. (I do hope my time will improve along with my skills!) I really thought I liked Rocco before, but compared to the new one, yesterday’s version looks very dull and flat.

Rocco and Harmony, Day 1 vs. Day 2
Each 12″ x 12″ acrylics on canvas

And now, a few terrific, instructive things I found while waiting (impatiently) for paint to dry:

Samuel Durkin – Acrylics, How to Paint a Landscape with Bluebells. He talks quite a big about technique (in this case, painting large canvases in acrylic) and about taking inspiration from nature and learning to slow down and really see the world.

Lachri Fine Art – Time Lapse Greyhound in Oil Over Acrylic. Accompanied by the artist playing the violin, a terrific dog painting.

Caroline Stanley – Painting Sasha the Border Collie. Also speed painting. Probably my favorite with that great close-up nose and face.

And one more thing! I could never have accomplished what I have with this painting, without the 30 paintings challenge in January. Practice is the only way I know to be improve at something! I don’t believe anyone who says they can’t draw. If you want to know how to draw, start drawing. Eventually, you’ll know how to draw something. People aren’t born knowing how to draw something.

Come back tomorrow to see the final painting (or more likely, later today). Thanks for stopping in, I know this was a long one!

[portfolio_slideshow size=”large”]

 

A Hat, A Girl, A Greyhound, in Acrylics

It is Day 28 of the 30 Day Painting Challenge!

A Hat, a Girl, a Greyhound
5″ x 7″ Acrylics on canvas board

Another one sort of finished but not really! I think a pale blue filmy veil hanging off the top section of this crazy hat (in back) might be nice… or might not! Maybe some wallpaper. I just could not decide what to put in the picture frame so I left it. Perhaps it’s an interior window to a pink kitten room. Or the place they keep the cotton candy machine.

Thanks so much to everyone from the 30-Day challenge who has visited and left a note, and everyone else, too. Stay warm out there, particularly if you’re experiencing this rough winter!

[portfolio_slideshow size=”large”]

City Dog in Acrylics and Ink, Challenge Day 16

Day 16 of Thirty Paintings in 30 Days!

City Dog (Not Really a Dog)
5″ x 7″ Acrylics, tie and nose detail in ink and gel pen

Like Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hound (which I just realized I spelled with only one L), this fellow went through quite a few dramatic changes before settling here. He’s called City Dog but is not really quite a dog. Or cat. Or other thing you’ve heard of. He is his own thing.

Cityscape tie close-up

Many shots showing his various incarnations below. Thanks for stopping in!

[portfolio_slideshow size=”large”]

Dr. Jekyl and Mister Hound

Red Hound Dog
5″ x 7″, Acrylics on canvas board

Hello fine visitors! If you happen to be from, or are familiar with, this Thirty Paintings in 30 Days Challenge, of which today is day number 11, and which I am trying like the Dickens to complete, I would just like to say:

If I don’t finish in the normal way, I reserve the right to use the approximately seventy-three hundred versions of this painting as at least, maybe, four of the 30 paintings. A small sampling:

Dr. Jekyl and Mr. Hound
Various stages of 5×7 acrylic painting

Thanks for stopping in for the occasional horror of my novice acrylics adventures! As you can see I’ve fallen back on some things I am familiar with, like outlines. And swirly backgrounds. Behold the transformation below. (All tips and criticisms welcome!)

[portfolio_slideshow size=”large”]

The Challenge Continues, Mostly in Ink

It is, in fact, day eight of the Thirty Paintings in 30 Days Challenge. I skipped day seven in hopes of catching up on the weekend. Work has been more tiring than usual, probably because of the recent holidays. Bah!

Posh Treehouse
2.5″ x 3.5″, Copics, fine liners, white gel pen

This stylish abode belongs to a gnomish clock maker. He is inside right now, cleaning the hands that belong to that clock window on the top floor. This is Tiny House #34.

It is for this reason that I am also submitting this illustration for the topic “Time” at Illustration Friday, from which I have been absent for ages! Topics are posted each Friday, and anyone who illustrates the topic in some way is invited to submit their link.

Hound in Progress, 5″ x 7″ acrylics

Above, we continue the gripping adventure of the unfinished hound. As you can see, I really need to reference a photo for the direction of that hair on his face. Stay tuned! Thanks for stopping in!

[portfolio_slideshow size=”large”]

 

Inked Elf Maiden and Acrylic in Progress

Day five of the 30 Day Challenge! So, I think I may alternate ink and acrylic days. Mostly I just don’t think I could do 25 acrylic paintings in the next 25 days! (Particularly with full work weeks ahead.)

Elf Maiden
2.5″ x 3.5″ Copics, fine liners, white gel pen

Here is the finished elf maiden from yesterday. She is Maiden Number 138 of 200. Her name is Maire and she is a veteran of the Blue Goblin War. Some of her jewels are military honors.

And this fellow may show up finished tomorrow. Or might not! The only thing I am sure of is that the background will not be green.

Pup in Progress, 5″ x 7″ Acrylic on canvas board

Thanks for stopping in!

[portfolio_slideshow size =”large”]