Sitting Hare

Since I cannot show you any secret pet commissions I've been working on lately, heres some old photos I found that a couple kindly sent me of my 'Sitting Hare' hanging in their living room.

Kiedis

Hello, so sorry for the lack of posts recently, i've been keeping busy with a few secret christmas commissions- which I cant wait to share with you!

For now here is a dog I recently drew, sadly she is no longer with us.

Initially I started off thinking I was just going to draw the head, then blend outwards, this ended up looking like it was floating! So I drew in the legs and body which looked much better, although I wish I could of fit all the legs on. Anyway Im happy with the finished piece it really shows off the dogs impressive age

Hopefully I can share some more dogs soon

Bye for now xx

Jura & Skye

Another double commission complete :)

These two lovely dogs, Jura the Lab and Skye the Spaniel are owned by a lovely gentleman from my home town, who owns Waltons of Hawes check out his website

'Jura'

'Skye'

Jura & Skye

A lot of hours went into these especially the Spaniel, those ears were a struggle I could even see curls when I closed my eyes! It is important for me to get the eyes just perfect as thats what brings the dogs to life, I was particularly pleased with Jura's left eye you can see his emotion and personality through it. 

My next two commissions are both Spaniels so bring on the ears! I will try and keep you posted although I have gone back to Uni now, so finding the time is a bit of a struggle hopefully I'll be able to fit a few hours drawing in when I can

Bye for now xx

Lifespan

Im happy to announce the charity auction for Lifespan went really well and raised just over £19,000! How impressive!! My original Highland cow sold for £220, I'm very happy to have donated to such a deserving charity.

Lifespan Charity Art Auction

Lifespan Art Exhibition and Auction 4^th October 2012

Lifespan is holding it’s 6^th Art Exhibition which will culminate in an Auction at The Biscuit Factory, Stoddart Street, Newcastle Upon Tyne at 7 pm on Thursday, 4^th October 2012. 

The charity Lifespan, is a small North East charity providing a range of services to bring ease and support to people with serious and life-threatening illness and to the family members and friends who care for them. 

The patients are often nearing the end of their lives, suffering from such illnesses as cancer and motor neurone disease. 'At the heart of our work are the needs of each individual patient and family. We see seriously ill people in the comfort of their own home or other appropriate setting.'

I have donated an original pencil drawing entitled 'Highland Cow' to this great cause, it can be viewed in the catalogue at slot 9. 
I wish the charity the best of luck- let the bidding commence!!

http://www.lifespanteam.org.uk/events/events/136

Red Squirrels

With my new camera I went to a small place in the woods called Snaizholme, a lovely couple who own The White Hart, Hawes kindly let me into their house, to watch them from their living room window. 

They had a nut feeder right outside the middle window which attracted loads of wild red squirrels 

I managed to get the window open and a few sunflower seeds sprinkled onto the nearest stone wall

I couldn't believe my luck when a squirrel stood and stared right into my camera, this squirrel was an older one as it has hair on the ears.

Once I got home and got the images put onto my laptop I was shocked to see a close up of their hands, just like humans with knuckles and finger nails!

Pebbles

Finished another Lab portrait off earlier today, Pebbles is at the incredible age of 14!! 

Meg & Boris

Just finished this pencil drawing of two lovely labs, Meg and Boris, they were a joy to draw. 

I had the pleasure of meeting and photographing these two playful dogs, a few weeks ago. It was nice to get to meet and photo my 'models' in person, Meg especially loved the camera and posed wonderfully.

This is the first time I have done a joint portrait, Meg on the left looks quite playful and Boris has a  serious look on his face, I was unsure if the two different photos of each dog would work, but when the owner said the photos captured both their personalities brilliantly, I had to use them.

After a challenging few weeks working on them, I'm happy with how they developed and came to life. The two photos definitely work together and show off there personalities. I LOVED drawing them and am very happy with how they turned out.

I've finally found the time to make progress on Meg, Im really happy with her eyes and mouth they really bring her to life!! I am going to make a start on Boris next which will be to the right of Meg. 

I found it difficult blending Meg's coat into the background as I didn't want to go too dark until I have seen what she looks like next to Boris, I will then finish off both their coats and see how far to blend outwards.

Meg

I recently went to photograph two adorable Labradors named Meg and Boris, I will try my best to keep you updated on the progress although sometimes I get carried away and forget to stop to take a photo.

Here you can see I have made a start to Meg

Ta-daah!!

Ta-daah!!

Im happy to share with you my latest piece 'Barn Owl'

'Post'

Here is the post which the barn owl is standing on, I did this using a fine 2H and 2B pencil for the darker bits, it took a lot of patience and concentration

'Barn Owl Face'

The tough part was capturing the light and dark parts on the feathers, as I often over due it on the parts that should be left clear. I made sure I kept close reference to my photograph this insured the contrast was exactly right.

'Feathers'

.......And here it is my completed 'Barn Owl' 

'Barn Owl'

Im very pleased with the end result and can't wait to get it hung up for sale in 

The Chapel gallery Hawes

I've been a busy bee this week but just had a spare few hours to fill in the owls body. I am really pleased with how this is coming along, although slow the amount of detail I am putting in is unlike what I have done before. I can't wait to finish this piece and share with you :)

Coming to life

Heres another snap of my latest Barn owl drawing coming to life

Making progress

Here I have made a start on the Barn Owls head, 

next I will finish off the body then come back to the face, for a few last minute touch-ups

Barn Owl

Here I have made a start on the fence post which took me a lot longer than I expected, I will keep you updated on the progress of the Owl.

Portrait complete

Here is my completed sheepdog portrait, 

I enjoyed drawing him step by step, when I finally drew his nose in he came to life!

I used graphite pencils 2H to 2B and it measures 8x11

for the time being he will be hanging in The Old Board Inn, Hawes

Sheepdog

A few quick phone uploads to show you the progress of my latest dog portrait

'Tinkerbell"

Here is a photo of my commissioned Yorkshire terrier drawing, done using a range of graphite pencils, measuring A4 framed. 

Richmond Station

On my return to the UK I visited Richmond Station, where the current exhibition Spot On The Wall is running. 

My drawing 'Alert Hare' is hanging in there up for sale

The exhibition runs until the 7th September

If you are nearby go in and check them out with over a 150 exhibits theres plenty to look at!!

Puerto Calero!!

What a wonderful two weeks holiday in Pureto Calero, Lanzarote!!

Pureto Calero is often referred to as the Millionaires Marina and its obvious as to why.. 

If only I had a few spare millions!!

We took a trip in a submarine that went 37 meters under water, 

here is a photo of what it looked like inside.

Unfortunately we didn't come across any sharks, just a large stingray and plenty of fish!

Here is a picture of the spa in the hotel, we stopped in The costa Calero which was outstanding!

Dusk falls outside the piano bar. 

Highland Cow

Here is a photo of my finished 'Highland Cow' soon it will be hanging in The Station Gallery, Richmond, North Yorkshire.

It measures 52cm x 42cm, and was done using a range of graphite pencils.

Not much more to do...

Sorry for the lack of posts recently but Ive been busy doing a commission for a birthday present. As you can see I have finished the head- just the background to go. Not long now !!

Slow progress...

With the beautiful sunshine hiding I had a few 'uninterrupted' hours to get on with the Highland Cow coming along nicely but slowly...

Back to the drawing board!

After a busy few weeks revising and working, I'm happy to share with you the progress of this drawing which is slowly getting there....

Alert Hare

Hi everyone I'de like to introduce you to my latest drawing titled 'Alert Hare' (I am not very imaginative when it comes to names!) this was done using graphite and is A3 size. I am particularly pleased with the long whiskers and the detail in his beady eye as you can see below.

He will be my first picture to hang in the Richmond Station on the 14th July for the 'Spot on the Wall' exhibition, this is where artists can 'buy' one space to hang one piece of artwork over 10 weeks and once the first piece is sold the artist replaces it. 

-Lets hope this 'Alert Hare' isn't around for long :)

New Hare!!

New Hare pencil drawing in progress!

I have entered this years 'Spot on The Wall' at Richmond Station due to start on the 14th July, here is the Hare drawing that I am hoping to submit :)

Originals Framed!!

Here is a photograph I took of the two finished Cockerels together framed, they were both drawn with faber Castell pencil crayons onto Fine grain- Heavy white water colour paper. I love this paper as I am able to blend and layer pencil marks without the paper sagging. Both drawings are A4 and with the simple oak frames measure 32 cm x 42 cm perfect size for any home!

'Cock-a-doodle-do'

This is the companion cockerel drawing titled- 'Poised for an Instant'

'Best foot forward'

Here is a photo of my latest drawing- 'Best foot forward' 

Tommy the Tup is completed!

After todays work on the foreground I have completed my Swaledale Tup drawing, and have decided to name him - 'Tommy the Tup' after his owner. I used a mechanical 0.5 Faber Castell mechanical pencil to draw the horns and 8B, 9B pencils for the face and foreground. It took me around 8hours to complete and measures 29cm x 19cm.

Todays progress- nearly there!!