Snow dog

Some one asked me once to not only post my paintings, but post the photos that I work the commissions from. So here's Dublin, the Snow dog!

Dublin

5x7 inches watercolor

Dublin's photo

the client had given me about 10 photos to choose from. After talking with the friend of Dublin's owner, he told me that a) this doggie is no longer with us and b) that he just loved being outside and was a big goofball. Typical golden, right? So I had to do the one with him in the snow. I didn't want to go overboard with the lattice on the porch, so I made it more of a pattern in the painting. And I didn't retort back to my pencils (trying to keep it strictly watercolor) so I had to break out the white watercolor to get the snow on the fur. There were many photos, like I said, and this photo with him in the snow didn't really capture his true golden color. This can show you how important to get more than one or two photos for reference!!!

I hope she loves it!

Hot hot hot

Well, it's officially summer and it's pretty freakin' hot out. But you don't hear me complaining! I feel if you're complaining about the weather, well, then your life must be pretty damn good. Besides, just wait in 40 years when it'll be hot like this everyday. Are you ready to give up oil yet?

So get this: I received a call from a woman who wanted ME to give HER lessons on watercoloring! HA! I've never done this before, so talk about an adventure!! I'm in Holliston all this week playing single mom with my nephews while my sister is in the Philippines (business) so we're meeting next Monday. I'm still trying to figure out how I'm going to approach this.... stay tuned!

Remember a couple of posts ago I did a painting of Bo, the golden, whose owner had won my gift certificate? Well, if you do you'll remember how much of a time (grrr!) I was having to get those colors right.... Here's the final product:

"Bo"

5"x7" watercolor and colored pencil

Not bad, huh? Sometimes those colored pencils really come in and save my day. I do believe sometimes I use them as a crutch and should shake them but I. just. can't.

So to help you cool down, here's a picture I took last February in Epson NH. I love winter. :)

Bo Revisited ... A color challenge

So Here he is again. I added more layer last night. Now, the picture I was given, Bo had a pinkish tone to him. I didn't think it was the printer, in fact, it looked more like that twilight pink hue that happens to appear on things just after the sun goes down. I love it, but I'll be damned if I could reproduce that color in the painting. I tried red & Burnt umber with blue, no. I tried violet and yellow and that's what I applied to the painting. Now sweet Bo looks like he has a case of jaundice! I'm thinking to stop! Stop what you're doing and work with pencils before you ruin the whole thing and start over. And then thinking what if a wee bit more pink...... I'll try again tonight and let you all know!

Winner of the GC00028

The winner emailed me the picture of his Golden, Bo and the gift certificate that he won at the fundraiser, so I was able to get started last night. Because of the commission, this painting is done on the Arches 140lb cold press. This is the first layer of paint so more to come. Thanks Vic, for supporting CAPS (Churchill Animal Protection Society)!