Remy, a memorial portrait of a very special dog. I did this portrait as a surprise for my brother. Remy was a great dog, and an importrant part of my brother's family. It was a rewarding challenge to get that beautiful coat just right. Rem Dog will be missed. This one is also a pastel on pastel mat paper. |
Every fall brings lots of portrait commissions. Portraits and ornaments are popular holiday gifts. This year I have done painted portrait commissions, as well as commissioned ornaments - both pet portraits and special request subjects like hiking ornaments and landscape scenes. I even did a boat portrait. Now that the holidays are over, I can add some of these portaits to my website. Here's a sample of some of this year's commissioned oraments. I'm still working on a backlog of orders from last fall. Although I no longer offer glass ornaments in my Etsy shop, I get so many requests for them that I end up doing them anyway. I still have about 9 to go to finish up my 2021 books. If anyone here is interested in commissioning an ornament or a portrait as a Christmas gift, order early - August or September - so I can guarantee delivery before Christmas.
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![]() This winter I was lucky enough to have a group of bluebirds visit my feeders. I've had the occasional bluebird stop by in past winters, but this year, I had as many as eight at a time here. I bought a little bluebird dish feeder and lots of mealworms and set about keeping them around. I kept my camera by the back door, and I would quietly sneak out onto the porch for a photo shoot. I got quite a few photos, but always want more! I think this little watercolor of a snowy bluebird is my favorite.
As the winter continued, I got more photos to work from. It was a little too cold to sit outside and work from life so I was happy to get photos through the window even if they weren't great. I just needed enough information to get me started on a piece. I did a couple of journal pages about the birds in watercolor and ink, and I realized that watercolor studies and paintings would be a great way to capture the colors and poses I was seeing in a spontaneous way. I did a series of loosely painted watercolor bluebirds using spatters and splashes and pen work. So much fun! As the weather got warmer and the snow melted, the bluebirds moved on, although I still see one on occasion. I've put up a bluebird house, but I think I've missed them nesting this year. If the bluebirds don't use the house, I hope another kind of bird moves in. I'd love to have a family of chickadees in the yard. I think a series of watercolor chickadees would be a fun project. In fact, I've already started!
FINDING INSPIRATION![]() In October, I did a post about the materials I use for my nature journal. Today I'm going to explain how I use those materials by doing a step by step journal entry. I've been seeing so many bluebirds at my feeders that I'm going to do a entry about bluebirds. In the summer I can sit on my porch watching the birds and noticing the flowers and trees or hearing frogs to get inspired for journaling. In the winter it is a little trickier so I rely on the photographs I take for inspiration. Here are a few that I have taken this winter. I've already done a pastel painting and a watercolor of these beautiful birds. DESIGN AND SKETCH - drawing and text
PEN AND INK
WATERCOLOR WASHES
FINAL DETAILS AND EMBELLISHMENTSOnce my watercolor washes are dry, I check my work and add any touch ups that are needed whether with paint or pens. Then I add my final touches. I always include a little bit of gold paint on every page. I like to add a touch to every bird or animals and maybe some swirls or decorations if I need to fill in an empty area. I try to keep my sketched and ink drawing as accurate as possible, but I don’t stress if something isn’t quite right. I’m capturing a feeling, a day, an experience, not doing a finished detailed drawing. Go with the flow and have fun!
In conclusion, I have to say that I will be doing a whole lot more with pastel pencils and Pastelmat. Watch out Dick Blick, I'll be needing more pencils!
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