Collages of Artwork done with a FREE online program

Watercolor Paintings of Animals, by Penny Lee StewArt

This week I finished two challenges to paint 30 paintings in 30 days, so that's 60 paintings completed in January 2015. One was for a Facebook group, 30 ACEOS in 30 Days, and the theme was LOVE. It's the pink collage below. I included all 30 of them to show that it is possible, but not as easy to see as when adding about half of them to the finished montage. The second one, above, is about half of the 30 paintings I did for Leslie Saeta's blog challenge. Not all of them were animals, so this worked well. 

I used www.collage.com for the creation of the project. It is actually supposed to be a blanket, I think, but they allow you to make a FREE collage and save it to your computer as a jpg file. They also send you a FREE postcard of the finished collage, so that's cool! 

The trick to creating the collage is to keep all of your photos that you want to use in your collage in a separate folder on your computer, so you can upload them all at once, and then move them around to make a pleasing presentation. It takes a little practice, but I just love it! You can also get calendars, pillows, mugs, and more with images of your art, for a fee.

Why not give it a try? It is FREE, after all! 

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

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.

Puppy Dogs, Baby Animals ACEO TW MAY

Every month my Ebay Facebook group has a Theme Week starting on the first of the month.  This month the theme is Baby Animals.  I paint pet portraits, all sizes, all kinds of animals, from 2x2 inches to 18x24.  

More info at Pet Portraits by Penny on Facebook

Search for ACEO TW MAY to find more baby animal auctions this week.

Five ACEO puppies I did with watercolor and pen for Baby Animals.

Baby Dachshund Puppy Dog

Baby Bella Fluffy White Girl Dog

Luigi and Fifi the Poodle Puppy

(Inspired by a challenge photo in a Facebook Group)

A Singing Chihuahua Baby (might be crying?)

Sad Eyes Puppy 

(From one of the photos submitted to my Facebook page)

Painting Pets from Photos - Two Chis in the Sun

"Poppy and Tina, Two Chihuahuas in the Sun" 

First the Photo

 Lots of furry details were added, but I kept the colors muted.

My 8x10 Acrylic Portrait on Canvas Board - Auction on DPW

FYI:  This was the original first underpainting

Painted Dogs for PPF

I am still painting pet portraits this week.

A Whippet or an Italian Greyhound?

11x14 painted from a reference photo by Bill Muck, 

on the Artist Reference Photos Facebook Page

DPW Auction

"Poppy" wearing her hand crocheted sweater

8x10 Acrylic on Canvas Board

Buy on Etsy

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.

Paint Party Friday: A Donkey

Well, I only got one June guy done, and then I had a bunch of animals to do, so I did not get any more finished, but here is "Donkey."  He is being donated to the auction at the Pasadena Chalk Festival. If you happen to live in Pasadena, there will be lots of 12 x 12 paintings starting at $20 and great chalk art.  My daughter and her family do at least two squares every year!  http://www.pasadenachalkfestival.com/

I am also working on a horse in watercolor and 

I finished Dr. Dre, a goat, for another charity auction.

9 x 12 Acrylic on Canvas board: "Dr Dre" (now Dr. McGuffin) is a 3 year old Nigerian Dwarf wether, as friendly and social as he is beautiful. A former resident at New Moon Farm goat Rescue in Monroe, Washington. He has found his forever home! 

Don't miss the Goatalympics!!! The Goatalympics is not your typical livestock event! Rather than focus on conformation and production, as seen at a typical County Fair, the Goatalympics is all about having fun with pet goats. It’s a chance for people to show off their ruminants’ skills, with events ranging from obstacle courses and races to costume and stall decorating contests. In addition to the goat contests, there will be a mega-raffle, a silent auction and educational materials about goats. Of course, there will be adorable, adoptable goats for people to meet. Though only in it’s third year, we expect the 2013 Goatalympics to be bigger and better than ever! Visit goatalympics.org for more info. 

"As a 501(c)3 organization, New Moon Farm receives no state or federal funding. Our work is supported solely by individual donors like you. And every little bit helps. It costs approximately $25 a month to provide the basic care of hay, grain, bedding, vaccinations, deworming, and hoof care for one goat. For goats who come to us with injuries or health problems that require veterinary care, the cost increases significantly. Add to that cost of maintaining the facilities, property taxes, and insurance. As a nonprofit, New Moon Farm relies on the tax-deductible monetary and in-kind donations of our supporters for everything. From deworming medications to hoof trimmers, from treats to blankets, from manure rakes to wheelbarrows, we simply cannot do the work that we do without your help."

My Pet portraits for sale on fineartamerica.com

Black and White Cat Pet Portrait, Acrylic, 8 x 10 on canvas board

 

Meet Sargent Pepper, the latest animal (cat)  pet portrait I have painted.  He was actually painted on a rock and shipped off as a surprise gift.  This is the portrait I painted before I did the actual rock.  I have just started selling my art on Daily Paint Works, in addition to Etsy and Ebay.  We shall see!