Art in progress. Please take a peek now... and check back later for further developments.
Cassie (Black Lab)
Pastel pencil on 16" x 20" colored museum board.
Cassie is the beloved canine under the care of Mary Jo Mazzolini.
Cassie is the beloved canine under the care of Mary Jo Mazzolini.
Cassie (Black Lab)
Original 8" x 10" photo.
Cassie (Black Lab --- Finished)
Cassie passed on September 11, 2010.
This portrait was completed two weeks after that date.
Though not originally intended as a memorial portrait, it now holds that honor.
My thanks to Mary Jo for trusting me to capture both the obvious and discreet charms of her sweet Cassie.
This portrait was completed two weeks after that date.
Though not originally intended as a memorial portrait, it now holds that honor.
My thanks to Mary Jo for trusting me to capture both the obvious and discreet charms of her sweet Cassie.
Cassie (Black Lab --- Closeup)
Please click on the picture to see details.
Upon meeting Cassie and photographing her in the sun, I noticed her shiny coat had a lustrous prism effect.
I chose to add subtle full spectrum coloring overall in this radiant pastel portrait, with minimal use of black/brown.
Seems quite appropriate now, knowing that sweet Cassie has since crossed the "Rainbow Bridge".
Upon meeting Cassie and photographing her in the sun, I noticed her shiny coat had a lustrous prism effect.
I chose to add subtle full spectrum coloring overall in this radiant pastel portrait, with minimal use of black/brown.
Seems quite appropriate now, knowing that sweet Cassie has since crossed the "Rainbow Bridge".
Meet Roxy (Black Pug)
Roxy is a lovely black Pug who passed away recently. She loved to be petted. She loved car rides. She loved to lick. And she snored a lot. So says her human caregiver and friend Leslie VanDuzee, who misses Roxy very much and has thus commissioned me to do a pastel pencil portrait of her. I'm excited to share details here of the art as it develops.
Off to a good start...
I decided to combine 2 pictures of Roxy that Leslie had chosen as her favorites. The 16" x 20" museum board I'm drawing on is a soft dove gray, but I may decide later to add color to the background.
I always start my animal art with the eyes and work my way outward. The picture here shows the first "sketchy" layer, where the basic highlights, tones, and colors are laid down. Later I'll add finer details atop the first layer; sometimes several times over,... until the area looks finished and I am satisfied with the realism. I try to be as meticulous as possible. Every grey hair in Roxy's beautiful black coat tells a story. I think Leslie would agree.
I always start my animal art with the eyes and work my way outward. The picture here shows the first "sketchy" layer, where the basic highlights, tones, and colors are laid down. Later I'll add finer details atop the first layer; sometimes several times over,... until the area looks finished and I am satisfied with the realism. I try to be as meticulous as possible. Every grey hair in Roxy's beautiful black coat tells a story. I think Leslie would agree.
Primary Goal: Capture Roxy's personality.
For some unknown reason, I had a really tough time getting Roxy's left eye to look "right". It took days until I felt I had depicted it with any justice. Curious about my struggle, I called Leslie and asked her if there was anything she wanted to tell me about the dog's eye. She told me that, as Roxy aged, her left eye didn't bulge out as much as the right eye did. Well now, that explains things! Stories like these are the "interesting surprise benefits" that come with my work, as they prove my deeper connections I have with animals.
Details, details...
Details are my favorite part. Adding the grey hairs in Roxy's fur has probably given me a few more gray hairs of my own, ... but it's worth the fuss. And just look at that doggie's big SMILE! It's contagious.
Please click on the picture to see details.
Please click on the picture to see details.
About that collar...
Everything is progressing nicely. I've started to work on Roxy's chest, using another photo Leslie had selected for reference. Since Leslie also supplied me with Roxy's pretty patterned fabric collar, I've decided to draw it last. It's very detailed and has sentimental value. While I must respect Leslie's desire to include the collar, I would rather draw Roxy without one. I'm quite sure she'd look more lovely naked. It's a "vegan" thing, you understand, whereas we believe that animals are not ours.
Eye adjustment
All is going well as I progress with Roxy's body. During a phone call I had with Leslie recently, she asked me if I could possibly make an adjustment to Roxy's left eye. Although we both agreed that I'd drawn the eye just as it is shown in the reference photo, it seemed to make the precious pup a little angry looking. I was happy to correct the problem and thanked Leslie for being so honest with me. She was smart to trust her instincts and help me with the art, as that little miss Roxy now looks much more cheerful! Thanks again, Leslie!
Please click on the picture to see details.
Please click on the picture to see details.
All but the collar...
I finished Roxy's body and just have her collar to depict now. Since Roxy passed away and therefore won't be wearing her stylish collar any longer, Leslie kept it, graciously allowing me to keep it in my home and use it as a reference for the dog portrait.
From time to time I pick up the collar and handle it. When I do, I imagine that Roxy is near, approving of her portrait as I make progress.
The art is almost complete now. Leslie -- who's also an artist-- is excited and looks forward to seeing it matted, framed, and hanging above her sofa in her living room. She wants the art to be the center of attention there. What a wonderful memorial to Roxy that will be!
From time to time I pick up the collar and handle it. When I do, I imagine that Roxy is near, approving of her portrait as I make progress.
The art is almost complete now. Leslie -- who's also an artist-- is excited and looks forward to seeing it matted, framed, and hanging above her sofa in her living room. She wants the art to be the center of attention there. What a wonderful memorial to Roxy that will be!
The prettiest Puug
Here is the finished portrait of Roxy the pretty pug. Just look at that colorful coat and collar!
I'll be presenting the artwork to Leslie today. I can't help but wonder who's smile will be bigger? Will it be Leslie's... or the one Roxy beams with in her portrait?
I am looking forward to the moment of unveiling. It's likely to be the time when the energies of Roxy, Leslie, and myself connect in the most profound way. I enjoy the unveiling so very much. It's the happy (and often tearful) ending that comes with the work I do.
Please click on the picture to see details.
I'll be presenting the artwork to Leslie today. I can't help but wonder who's smile will be bigger? Will it be Leslie's... or the one Roxy beams with in her portrait?
I am looking forward to the moment of unveiling. It's likely to be the time when the energies of Roxy, Leslie, and myself connect in the most profound way. I enjoy the unveiling so very much. It's the happy (and often tearful) ending that comes with the work I do.
Please click on the picture to see details.
Maxwell the "Soccer Weinie" (Dachshund)
Be on the lookout here for an upcoming memorial portrait of a very special dog, commissioned by a very special lady -- Ms. Tammy Pastor. (Shhh!! It's a surprise holiday gift for Scott, her fiancé.)
Sometimes animals so very dear to us leave this world far too soon. Like little Maxwell, who was hit by a car recently. So very sad. An energetic young dog who loved to "play soccer", Maxwell -- aka the "Soccer Weinie" -- left those who loved him in both shock and sorrow.
Sometimes animals so very dear to us leave this world far too soon. Like little Maxwell, who was hit by a car recently. So very sad. An energetic young dog who loved to "play soccer", Maxwell -- aka the "Soccer Weinie" -- left those who loved him in both shock and sorrow.
Catch that sparkle!
I decided to start the 16" x 20" pastel pencil portrait by drawing Maxwell's left eye, making sure that I captured that youthful sparkle he's showing in the photo reference.
I had to stop by the home of Bill Kufahl (i.e. my art teacher) for the art board I needed for Maxwell's portrait. Always willing to help with his professional advice, Bill looked at the photo of Maxwell I'd brought along and told me to eliminate the harsh camera flash in the dog's eyeball. He said that I should instead place a softer white highlight off to the side (where the natural light source was). He was right; Maxwell's eye is so much more interesting this way!
I had to stop by the home of Bill Kufahl (i.e. my art teacher) for the art board I needed for Maxwell's portrait. Always willing to help with his professional advice, Bill looked at the photo of Maxwell I'd brought along and told me to eliminate the harsh camera flash in the dog's eyeball. He said that I should instead place a softer white highlight off to the side (where the natural light source was). He was right; Maxwell's eye is so much more interesting this way!
A "glowing" great start.
I'm drawing Maxwell on a tumbleweed (tan) colored museum board. It really shows off his coat of marvelous reds, golds, copper, and brown. Come to think of it, Maxwell's colors remind me of the beautiful Autumn leaves that are now falling from the trees and covering the ground outside. (I can imagine Maxwell playing in the leaves -- can you?) How fitting it is that I'm sipping on warm apple cider -- with a sprinkle of cinnamon -- as I work on this portrait.
Please click on the picture to see details.
Please click on the picture to see details.
Who's that handsome fella?
It's now late November. I'm very pleased with how Maxwell's portrait is coming along. After finishing the head and tail, I started on the body, working in segments. I usually leave the paws for last.
Today I'm meeting Tammy at the frame shop where I can help her make the best frame choice for the dog portrait. Tammy may want a mat around the artwork, which I almost always recommend. We'll see what frame style (and mat?) truly highlights the art and captures the essence of little Max. No doubt he'll have an input as well.
Today I'm meeting Tammy at the frame shop where I can help her make the best frame choice for the dog portrait. Tammy may want a mat around the artwork, which I almost always recommend. We'll see what frame style (and mat?) truly highlights the art and captures the essence of little Max. No doubt he'll have an input as well.
A pause... before the paws
It's the first week in December and I've come to the last of the bare zones in the art. Tammy had told me tales of Maxwell's spunky pride and how he often jutted out his chest. Therefore, I've decide to give this area plenty of attention. I'll also be finishing up his two front paws and adding a touch of warm, lively glow to the background. After these final touches, the art should be complete and ready to frame, carefully box up, wrap in festive "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer" paper, and topped with a bright red bow. I'll hand the art over to Tammy sometime near Christmas. She's planning to present it to her fiance Scott while the family is gathered for the holiday at his parents' home. What a wonderful surprise it will be for everyone there! Cameras get ready!
Marvelous Maxwell
It's now December 13th. I completed the portrait of Maxwell and am thrilled with the results! He looks so warm and soft and full of life. Now I'm waiting to get the final approval from Tammy before I put the art in the perfect frame she chose. It's going to be stunning!
(I'll post a picture of the framed art; be sure to check back for that.)
The finished art will be carefully framed, boxed, wrapped and delivered. Imagine finding this mysterious gift sitting under the tree!
Merry Christmas, Scott!!! - With love from Tammy (...and Victoria!)
(I'll post a picture of the framed art; be sure to check back for that.)
The finished art will be carefully framed, boxed, wrapped and delivered. Imagine finding this mysterious gift sitting under the tree!
Merry Christmas, Scott!!! - With love from Tammy (...and Victoria!)
The perfect frame!
A special applause goes out to Tammy for selecting the perfect frame, where Maxwell's shiny rust-colored coat and bright brown eyes will be highlighted all the more. Both the inside and outside edges of the frame are shaded smoky brown/black. This works well, since Tammy decided to go without a mat for the picture. The shaded edges work as a thin "border" around the art, much the same as a mat would. Nice touch, huh? Tammy and I hope Scott approves.
Final note: Thanks to all who've been checking in on the progress of my art. I couldn't have done such a good job without your support!
Final note: Thanks to all who've been checking in on the progress of my art. I couldn't have done such a good job without your support!