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

Original For Sale 

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

Buy in Ebay

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.

Painting For Sale on Ebay Auction