Hopefully this blog will inspire you to have confidence in your creative abilities and give you courage to learn and try new things. Try something NEW. It could be just what you need to make you a better artist, or a better person.

Friday, May 16, 2014

A Bird, A Bear, A Horse and 3 Dogs

I like to paint animals, all kinds and species. I do commissioned pet portraits, but when I don't have any scheduled I still paint every day. Here is this week's collection of critters, starting with,

A Horse of Course!  Tony the Pony

Painted with watercolor on 140# paper
Matted and ready to frame.

 From this photo by Emily Vander Haak Dieleman 
on Artists Reference Photos on Facebook


In watercolor class on Thursday last week I painted an Amazon Parrot
8.5 x 11 which is larger than my usual style (not an aceo!). I am enjoying learning to use watercolor experimentally. This class has lots of ways to paint, not just traditionally. The background was done with "negative painting" techniques. I have trouble with that. It means painting around things, not painting them directly.  I always lose my whites, but that takes lots of practice. I have been taking this class for 2 years every thursday for 2 hours.  I have improved tremendously, but still am what my teacher calls, "heavy handed," but that's because I have painted so long with acrylics. 

I have included the reference photos for the following paintings since people have asked for them.  You can see I take some liberties with my final paintings.


This is a Bear done for a challenge on my Ebay/Facebook Group
Inspired by this photo, ACEO size 2.5 x 3.5 inches, wc and pen



Another painting of Bella.  This time in Watercolor and pen and Ink. 6x6.
For Sale on Ebay, Auction

And this is Chipper, or Chip to his friends.  His mama loves this expression of his, so I tried to capture it for her.  4x4 on Ampersand Claybord panel.  



And this is Marvel, Tammy's Dog, 5x5 watercolor and pen on paper.


8 comments:

  1. smashing artwork Penny, so fab. Happy PPF, Annette x

    http://nettysartadventures.blogspot.co.uk/

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  2. Fantastic paintings, all of them! Valerie

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  3. Penny all of your animals paintings are amazing but that Amazon Parrot has my heart! Very cool:)

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  4. Oooh, I love your paintings, Penny. I'm so glad I came across your blog. Happy PPF!!

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  5. Love all of your animal portraits. My favorite is the horse. I love the way you did the hair! Looks great

    http://www.artworkbyjm.com/

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  6. These are all so very precious!! Love how you keep their spirit alive!!

    Hugs Giggles

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  7. Wow!!!! you are such a great artist. I love the horse. You are able to capture the soul of animals.
    Nicole/Beadwright

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  8. Thanks for all of your lovely comments. I am sitting here not knowing what to paint next. I need direction, challenges, purpose. Anyone else have difficulty just sitting down and painting without inspiration? LOL. I will sift through my files and see what I come up with. Thanks again! You keep me motivated.

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More doodle art ACEO cards.

For sale in my Ebay store It seems to be working, doodling and lettering every day, and my Mojo has returned!