Dec 31, 2008
Happy New Year!
Just a short note to wish you all a very happy New Year! And a big thank you to all of you who follow or subscribe to my blog! This coming year, I hope to have lots of new things to add to my blog, so stay tuned.
Dec 23, 2008
Redesigning my website
Well, it's turning out to be a yearly thing now...I'm re-doing my website again! I seem to get bored with the look of it easily. The fact is, once completed, I wasn't really very fond of my last site. I found it didn't show my artwork as well as I would have liked. Granted, it's pretty, but I want the focus to be more on my work and less on the site itself.
So hopefully in the next couple of weeks I'll launch my brand new site. I really like the look of it and it's kind of similar to the look of my blog. As it turns out, I really like designing websites and with each one I do, I need less and less help! I can actually claim that I did this new one entirely on my own (with only a few questions here and there!)
So as I get closer to launching my new site, you might notice that there are some weird things going on with my current site. Please excuse the mess! I've had to load a few things early onto the net, and I inadvertently changed a few things on my current site. You might notice the buttons are a little wacky. I'm going to try and change them back, but I may not get a chance to do this until after Christmas. Stay tuned and I'll have the new one up and running soon!
Merry Christmas!!!
So hopefully in the next couple of weeks I'll launch my brand new site. I really like the look of it and it's kind of similar to the look of my blog. As it turns out, I really like designing websites and with each one I do, I need less and less help! I can actually claim that I did this new one entirely on my own (with only a few questions here and there!)
So as I get closer to launching my new site, you might notice that there are some weird things going on with my current site. Please excuse the mess! I've had to load a few things early onto the net, and I inadvertently changed a few things on my current site. You might notice the buttons are a little wacky. I'm going to try and change them back, but I may not get a chance to do this until after Christmas. Stay tuned and I'll have the new one up and running soon!
Merry Christmas!!!
Dec 20, 2008
Simon - WIP 1 & 2
Here is the beginning of Simon's portrait. I'm really enjoying myself so far because I'm not used to working on coloured paper. And I'm also trying a slightly new technique after having read a tutorial by Christina Langman. Her coloured pencil work is absolutely amazing...especially
this drawing! So far I'm really liking the new technique, although I'm still using some of my own methods as well. I figure I should stick with what I know while I'm working on a commission! Later, I'll do more experimenting on my own time!
this drawing! So far I'm really liking the new technique, although I'm still using some of my own methods as well. I figure I should stick with what I know while I'm working on a commission! Later, I'll do more experimenting on my own time!
Reference Photo
Stage 1
Stage 2
Dec 18, 2008
Merry Christmas!
I just thought I'd write a quick note to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
I think I'm pretty much ready for Christmas now. This year, I actually got my shopping done fairly early, so I'm quite proud of myself. I still have a lot of wrapping to do, but at least the hard part is over with! We go home to Moncton every year for the holidays and this year I have a week off, so I'm really looking forward to it! And it means that I don't have to clean our house!
Our new kitten, "Loki", is settling in nicely. He and "Seven" are good pals now. We still have to keep an eye on him as he is quite taken with the Christmas tree. At one point, he managed to climb as high as the star on the 7.5 foot tree! He got doused pretty well with the spray bottle for that one. I think he learned his lesson because he hasn't tried it again! Not to say he doesn't get into trouble elsewhere. His name definitely suits him, as "Loki" is the Norse god of mischief!
In the New Year, I will be finishing up the last of my commissions. Although I made the decision to stop taking on new commissions last March, I'm still working on them! The reason I want a break is because I haven't had a chance to do my own work in about 3 years! I have enjoyed doing commission work because I've met a lot of really great people, but the pressure of meeting deadlines has gotten to be too much. So this is the year I get to do my own thing! I've got lots of new toys I'm excited to try out: brand new (as of last year, but I haven't touched them yet!) Sennelier oil pastels, new oil paints, some watercolour paper, etc. I also have 3 oil paintings that I haven't touched since I took a class a year ago! So I'll be busy this coming year...hopefully I'll find time to do everything I want to do! And I'm hoping this new freedom will motivate me to come up with some creative ideas. Anyway, I hope you'll keep stopping by to see what I'm up to!
So again, I'd like to wish everyone a happy holiday season. And I'd like to thank everyone who follows my blog!
I think I'm pretty much ready for Christmas now. This year, I actually got my shopping done fairly early, so I'm quite proud of myself. I still have a lot of wrapping to do, but at least the hard part is over with! We go home to Moncton every year for the holidays and this year I have a week off, so I'm really looking forward to it! And it means that I don't have to clean our house!
Our new kitten, "Loki", is settling in nicely. He and "Seven" are good pals now. We still have to keep an eye on him as he is quite taken with the Christmas tree. At one point, he managed to climb as high as the star on the 7.5 foot tree! He got doused pretty well with the spray bottle for that one. I think he learned his lesson because he hasn't tried it again! Not to say he doesn't get into trouble elsewhere. His name definitely suits him, as "Loki" is the Norse god of mischief!
In the New Year, I will be finishing up the last of my commissions. Although I made the decision to stop taking on new commissions last March, I'm still working on them! The reason I want a break is because I haven't had a chance to do my own work in about 3 years! I have enjoyed doing commission work because I've met a lot of really great people, but the pressure of meeting deadlines has gotten to be too much. So this is the year I get to do my own thing! I've got lots of new toys I'm excited to try out: brand new (as of last year, but I haven't touched them yet!) Sennelier oil pastels, new oil paints, some watercolour paper, etc. I also have 3 oil paintings that I haven't touched since I took a class a year ago! So I'll be busy this coming year...hopefully I'll find time to do everything I want to do! And I'm hoping this new freedom will motivate me to come up with some creative ideas. Anyway, I hope you'll keep stopping by to see what I'm up to!
So again, I'd like to wish everyone a happy holiday season. And I'd like to thank everyone who follows my blog!
Dec 13, 2008
Bandit finished!
Well I've finally finished Bandit's portrait! I've been speaking with the client all along and he seems quite pleased with the outcome. It is going to be a Christmas gift, so I'm excited to hear what the recipient thinks of it.
Bandit's pose in this drawing is different than the typical poses I'm used to, and I think it makes for a more interesting portrait. The client chose this pose because it portrays Bandit's personality, and I think it makes him look like a fun dog, ready to play! I always aim to bring out a pet's personality in their portrait, and hopefully I've done that here.
Bandit's pose in this drawing is different than the typical poses I'm used to, and I think it makes for a more interesting portrait. The client chose this pose because it portrays Bandit's personality, and I think it makes him look like a fun dog, ready to play! I always aim to bring out a pet's personality in their portrait, and hopefully I've done that here.
For my next and final commissioned pet portrait, I will be drawing a Siamese cat named Simon. This one will be a little different as well because I'll be using blue paper instead of white. Simon has beautiful colouring and vibrant blue eyes, so I think the blue background will make the whole thing pop! At least I hope so! I will post the first stages soon.
Dec 10, 2008
Bandit - almost done!
Here is another update of Bandit. I'm almost done...I just need to do a little more tweeking and touching up. If any of you artists out there want to critique this, please do so. After staring at it for so long, it's difficult to see the changes that need to be made!
If you enjoyed this post, make sure you follow or subscribe to my blog!Nov 20, 2008
Bandit WIP#3
Here is another update of Bandit. I'm getting close to being done - I just need to finish his muzzle, touch up the rest of his body, then add a bit of shadow. I think I also need to fix his eyes a bit because they don't quite look the same size...and his right ear still looks a little flat. Ok, well there are a lot of things I need to do, but I am in the home stretch!
If you enjoyed this post, make sure you follow or subscribe to my blog!
If you enjoyed this post, make sure you follow or subscribe to my blog!
Nov 13, 2008
"Seven" chosen to be in the ArtWanted.com 2009 calendar
ArtWanted.com is a site where artists can display and sell their artwork and prints. Earlier this year, I entered my drawing of "Seven" into a calendar contest through ArtWanted.com and I just found out that it's been chosen for the 2009 calendar! I feel rather honoured because there are a lot of really amazing artists on this site.
Here is a description of the calendar:
Each calendar features 365 'tear-off' pages, for each day of the year. Each day features a different ArtWanted.com artist and displays their name, artwork title/description and website address for more information on that artist. The artwork featured in the calendars is a large mixed sample of traditional art, digital art and photography of our members. The final size is 4.5" wide and 4" tall. There is a fold out cardboard easel in the back that tilts the calendar perfectly to sit on any table or desk.
You can order a calendar through ArtWanted.com by following the link below. My drawing will be in the "Traditional Artwork" calendar (on July 22, 2009), so be sure to order that one! If you do plan on ordering, please use the following link to get to the site. I do not get a commission from each calendar sold, but I will get a referral fee for any purchases made through this link:
This link takes you to the home page of the website. Click on the "Shop" tab at the top and you'll find the calendar.
Thanks!
If you enjoyed this post, make sure you follow or subscribe to my blog!
Here is a description of the calendar:
Each calendar features 365 'tear-off' pages, for each day of the year. Each day features a different ArtWanted.com artist and displays their name, artwork title/description and website address for more information on that artist. The artwork featured in the calendars is a large mixed sample of traditional art, digital art and photography of our members. The final size is 4.5" wide and 4" tall. There is a fold out cardboard easel in the back that tilts the calendar perfectly to sit on any table or desk.
You can order a calendar through ArtWanted.com by following the link below. My drawing will be in the "Traditional Artwork" calendar (on July 22, 2009), so be sure to order that one! If you do plan on ordering, please use the following link to get to the site. I do not get a commission from each calendar sold, but I will get a referral fee for any purchases made through this link:
This link takes you to the home page of the website. Click on the "Shop" tab at the top and you'll find the calendar.
Thanks!
If you enjoyed this post, make sure you follow or subscribe to my blog!
Nov 11, 2008
Bandit - WIP #2
Here's another update of Bandit's portrait. It's a little difficult to scan a picture when it's in a ringed booklet, hence the shadow on the left, but you get the idea. I'm trying to finish this portrait as soon as possible because it's a little overdue...sorry Wayne! Hopefully it will be worth the wait!
If you enjoyed this post, make sure you follow or subscribe to my blog!
Nov 4, 2008
Follow my Blog
Several of you have subscribed to my blog by having email updates sent directly to you. Thank you for subscribing!
There is now another way to follow my blog...by clicking on the link to the left that says "follow this blog". You can either follow publicly (others will see your name), or anonomously (no one knows who you are).
If you follow publicly, and you have your own blog, you might get extra traffic to your blog. Either way, if you follow my blog, you'll know when I post something new. Often, people visit blogs that they like, but never end up going back. With a simple click though, you've essentially bookmarked my blog so it's easy to come back and check it!
So please, follow my blog!
There is now another way to follow my blog...by clicking on the link to the left that says "follow this blog". You can either follow publicly (others will see your name), or anonomously (no one knows who you are).
If you follow publicly, and you have your own blog, you might get extra traffic to your blog. Either way, if you follow my blog, you'll know when I post something new. Often, people visit blogs that they like, but never end up going back. With a simple click though, you've essentially bookmarked my blog so it's easy to come back and check it!
So please, follow my blog!
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