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

Chihuahuas Make Me Laugh

This is a special dog, Chipper the Chihuahua.  I follow him on Facebook and in the Chihuahua Mamas group.  His Mama let me paint him and put the artwork up on Ebay with 25% of the sale going to her favorite Chi Transport Charity.  I have such an affinity for dogs with great expressions and Chip never disappoints.  His Mama has literally hundreds and hundreds of Chip photos for me to choose from.  I am still painting his fabulous face.

8x10 Acrylic on Canvas Board

Chip Laughing or Yawning? 

4x4 on Ampersand Panel with FREE easel stand

Chip The Sublime

FREE Puppies for PAINT PARTY FRIDAY

FREE PUPPIES

This was a busy and fun week.  I painted several pet portraits, for FREE, as prizes on my Facebook Page.  I asked people to submit photos to me and I would choose the best one and paint it for them.  But I got carried away.  I had to paint them all.  Congratulations Gaylene, Tammy, Robin and Ashley.  Here are your fur babies.  Visit my Pet Portraits Page for more animal art.

Penny Paint Pet Portraits, PPF

Penny Paints Pet Portraits

This week's New Art is all about Dogs

 "Jackson"

8x10 on Canvas Board, Acrylic

"Orion" 6x6 on wood panel, SOLD

He was painted for a challenge on DPW, to paint what brings you JOY.  Animals always bring me joy.  Especially when they smile.

Another painting of "Jackson"

For sale on Etsy

I did this one on a 5x7 wood panel 3/4" deep, and painted it black around the edge on all sides. Jackson is a long-haired Chihuahua with an appealing grin, and loving personality  The painting can sit on a shelf without a frame.  SFA. Small Fine Art.

I have a ledge all around the room where I can display my art pieces.

and last but not least, "Dillon"

This was done on a 6x6 wrapped canvas, finished around the edge with continuous painting of the subject. A long haired scruffy dog, up close and personal. The painting can be displayed on a shelf or hung on the wall without a frame. Small Format Art. SFA. Original, one of a kind, not a print. Painted from a reference photo of Dillon, posted by Rob on Paint My Photo.