Pugs pet portrait by Terry Albert

I've been doing some experimenting with my art. This portrait is 10" x 20" on canvas, painted in acrylics. To add a touch of bling, I added a little bit of glitter to their eyes, and the client loved it. The dogs, Oscar and Cilla, go to work every day with their owner, Lynn, at the Buried Bone here in Poway, California.

The canvas is 1 1/2" deep, so it doesn't need to be framed. Here is the photo I worked from:

As you see, I moved the two dogs closer together to enhance the composition. I usually work on illustration board or watercolor paper, then cut a mat to frame the finished piece, so this is a new way of working for me. I also usually add detail in pencil, and it is a big change for me to do the entire painting in just paint, no mixed media. Also, on canvas, I am stuck with the composition, I can't just cut off an edge if I want to crop the painting differently when it's done! I'm sure I will be switching back and forth between the techniques for awhile until I decide which method to pursue. 

If you are interested in a portrait of your pet, please contact Terry Albert. Thank you!

Maggie, A Lesson Painting, Part I of II ~~ Kimberly Kelly Santini

Before running away to Saratoga over the weekend, I left Maggie on my easel with a cloak of rainbow colors. Today I got the chance to pick up my brushes and finish her portrait.

 

I began the painting session by laying down wide swathes of local color - however, you'll notice there remain small strips of the bold, hot hues around the edges of the forms. I'll leave these "peek-a-boo pockets" all over the painting - they will add some color zing to the end result.

 

After identifying the overall background value of the couch cushions, I defined the lighter stripes, focusing on the drape of the fabric and not so much on the proper values. These I would correct later with layers of glaze (translucent paint).

 

I also toyed with the patterned couch pillows, but determined they created too much pattern, and painted them out. I want the viewer's eyes to rest on Maggie, not to get distracted by a wealth of other details.

 

And here she is as she stands now - the stripes have been pushed back with some glazes, and the greatest density of detail is packed into the triangle made by her eyes and nose.

 

I'm waiting to hear from my client if there are any other tweaks needed to further capture her likeness. This waiting time is the absolute hardest part of painting portraits.

 

The piece is titled simply "Maggie." It's larger than life at 12" x 20", and done in Golden Open and Heavy Body Acrylics on an Ampersand Gessobord.

 

Want one of your own? Then email me!

 

Thanks, as always, for sharing my artwork with your friends and family,

Kim

ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com

"The Player" Saluki Bronze by Terry d. Chacon

Introducing-

"The Player"   Lost Wax Saluki Bronze Limited Edition of 15 by Terry d. Chacon

The clay model

The back view

The clay model

The head study

The clay model

I think it is always fun to see where a piece starts and how it ends, I hope you enjoy seeing it also.  


 This piece measures  9 1/2 in length, 4 inches wide and 5 1/4 at the tip of the highest point.  The marble base is 10 1/2 in length and 5 inches wide by 1 inch thick.   Available in the black patina with scrubbed back bronze lifts under the feet and black marble base.   

This is the 3rd in a series of Sighthounds added to the collection.   It is now available to order.  Please contact me at shacone@aol.com for more information.   

Please view the collection on my website at:  http://www.terrydchacon.com/  or press on the title to this post. 

Until next time, PLEASE ENJOY THE ART!    Terry d. Chacon  

Featured Artist: Dawn Secord

Featured Artist: Dawn Secord

Artwork for Skyline Dog Fancier's Kennel Club

Skyline Dog Fancier's 2011 Artwork by Terry d. Chacon

This is the artwork I created for the Skyline Dog Fancier's Kennel Club.  

It was such an honor to be asked again to do the artwork for Skyline Dog Fancier's.   The image of this 11 x 14 oil on canvas will be used for their catalog cover, trophies and a large banner which will hang next to the one they did last year of my work and years to come in their main auditorium where the groups and Best in Show are held.   The images for the paintings are submitted by the kennel club.  The design and painting are left up to me.   This year the Portugese Podengo  Pequeno Club of America will hold their National Specialty at the show.  They are in the misc. group of the AKC seeking full status for the hound group.  

Join them for the second annual Harvest Moon Classic, a collaboration of Skyline Dog Fanciers and Del Valle Dog Club. Thursday, October 20 at 8:00am - October 24, 2011 at 6:00pm
Alameda County Fairgrounds
4501 Pleasanton Ave.
Pleasanton Ca.
For more information contact Ryan Horvarth at homardachs@gmail.com

Last year I was unable to attend the dog shows because of a prior commitment, however, this year I will be there.   Hope to see you there as well.

Until next time,  ENJOY THE ART!  Terry d. Chacon

On another note, if you missed out on my exhibit at Banning Center for the Arts, they have kept 9 of my paintings for their Master Gallery.   The paintings will be hung with their collection of Milford Zornes and David Fairrington.  Stop by the Gallery Wed. through Sat. 10 to 4 pm to see the works. 

Waiting Whippet Oil Painting by Charlotte Yealey

16x20

Oil on Canvas

This is a portrait of my whippet "Bailey". I know the last commission I posted was name Bailey which was my neighbor's but this Bailey is one of my therapy dogs. I took patriotic pictures of my dogs last 4th of July and liked this photo so much that I painted it.

You can see more of my art at www.charlotteswebart.com.

Zoe's glad to be a part of it!

A recent commission had me painting a mural in an excellent local library. The piece features a large book nestled by a giant gnarly tree. If you look for the hidden details, you'll find several bugs and animals. One such animal is Zoe. Her image was proudly provided to me by an excited library employee. Now Zoe is nestled in the tree roots forever happily sharing the library's Community Room.
Harry Boardman
www.harryboardman.com
Find me on Facebook!

Great Expectations, A Lesson Painting, Part II of II ~~ Kimberly Kelly Santini

In an effort to complete this piece in one sitting ("alla prima"), I burned some midnight oil, but ran out of steam. I powernapped and came back into the studio for another go this morning, and have it pretty darned close to completion.

 

Here's Part I for those of you who missed yesterday.

 

And without further ado, here's Part II:

 

 

 

I started with a wider flat (about 1/2") and got some elementary shapes down that properly molded the pups bodies. I then went down a step to a smaller flat, building more "general" detail, before grabbing a round and popping in some key highlights and a few lines.

 

The detail above shows the two dogs on the left after they've been gone over once with the smaller flat brush. The pup on the right has only been hit with the 1/2" brush, and is patiently awaiting a fresh layer of color and more detailed marks.

 

Because I am impatient, I work from left to right, in order to avoid smearing wet paint. When the entire surface is wet, that means I get to take a quick break for chocolate or email, whichever calls my name the loudest.

 

 

ALL FINISHED (or rather, I'll simmer with it for a couple of days and decide if any tweaks need to be made):  "Great Expectations," 7" x 16", portrait of 8 Great Dane pups, painted in Golden Open and Heavy Body Acrylics on a Raymar panel. Proceeds from the sale of this painting (and subsequent reproductions) will benefit Ohio Great Dane Rescue. $559 plus applicable shipping and handling charges. Inquiries may come to me.

 

I'll share more details and a larger view of the painting next week - there's a lot happening in here that warrants a closer peek!!

 

Thanks so much for sharing my art with your friends and family,

Kim

ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com

 

 

Great Expectations, A Lesson Painting ~~ Kimberly Kelly Santini

It's been a long time since I did a lesson painting, and I thought these puppies were the perfect fit!

 

This 16" x 7" panel will ultimately star 8 Great Dane puppies. It is tentatively titled "Great Expectations," and is a fundraiser for Ohio Great Dane Rescue - if you are interested in purchasing it, speak up now and be first on the list!

 

I started with an underpainting - the puppys' skin is pink and warm, so I chose a brighter value of magenta. I placed very general guidelines on the panel to represent the placement of the puppies.

 

 

Next up came some local color to represent the negative space in the painting - yellows and lime green for the foreground, and darker greens for the background. See how the pink reads as orange when placed next to the other colors? There are some fantastic color vibrations happening, even at this early stage.

 

 

I began loosely placing the pups' forms, using a broad brush and unblended marks. I want to get a sense of their body volume and weight distribution, so that I can make necessary adjustments now. For instance, I am going to slide that pup in the lower corner up and back a bit, and the one center back row needs to be bigger. I can also tweak legs, bellies, ears and all that right now, before I've invested hours of work into the piece.

 

 

I continue sculpting the forms with my brush, and add additional layers to the back- and foregrounds. I'm not worried about local color (meaning the actual color of the dogs), but I am focusing on values and form. By doing this, I've started to highlight the pups' different markings/coloring without limiting my color choices, and unified the surface by scattering bits of similar color fragments across it.

 

Do you see the "X" in the composition created by the rumpled blanket in the foreground? and the "+" that anchors the center of the canvas? and how the dogs at each end bracket the others with their countered visual weight? these are key compositional elements that will make the finished piece far more than just cute little puppy faces.

 

Tonite's another late night painting session - let's see if I can't tie things up and share a completed "Great Expectations" with you tomorrow!

 

Thanks so much for sharing my art with your friends and family,

Kim

ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com

 

The Shibas ~~ By Kimberly Kelly Santini

"The Shibas," 6" x 10", commissioned double portrait of Shiba Inus done in Golden Open Acrylics on a Raymar panel. This painting is not for sale, but I would be more than happy to discuss creating something equally spectacular for you - email me.   "The Shibas" are a wedding gift - and who do you think will be the absolute favoritest guest at the reception? and for all eternity?   Portraits make for fabulous gift giving, and if you can't fathom sneaking around and collecting the necessary photos so that I can actually paint the portrait, just leave the research to the recipient. You and I will put together a killer gift certificate (killer sample pictured below).   Then you get to sit back and enjoy the perks of being at the top of your friends' A List.    Thanks so much for looking at - and sharing - my artwork with your friends and family, Kim ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com

FOUR CAVALIERS

I have a soft spot for the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. One of these loving, loyal little guys was my Father's last companion. "Dash" greeted (and still does!) everyone with a huge smile and a wagging tail, and is a big hit with everyone who knows him.
The Cavalier has a long history and a royal background. These dogs are jolly companions on a walk but are still happy to curl up beside you and be a couch potato during the evenings. Their colors are Ruby, Black and Tan, Blenheim, and Tricolor.
FOUR CAVALIERS is an 11 x 14 watercolor on Arches 140 Hot Press. The original is available - $450.

Heather Anderson Sheltie Hollow
www.heatheranderson-animalart.com

"Bailey" Oil Painting by Charlotte Yealey

12x12

Oil Painting

Just finished this commission of Bailey, a mixed Bichon and shih tzu. A very cute little dog that belongs to a family in a neighboring development. This was painted on a 12"x12" birch wood painting panel which has painted 1-5/8" wide sides so no frame is needed.  For more information about pet portraits email me at artbycharlotte@yahoo.com.

MISSY - ASCOB American Cocker Spaniel

I've always loved Cocker Spaniels, so it was a real pleasure to paint this pretty little lady. I really enjoy painting the curls of silky hair on those luxurious ears, and of course, those big, melting eyes. Everything about this portrait was a pleasure, including my clients' delight in it. MISSY is an 8 x 10 Colored Pencil portrait on Arches 140 paper.
For those wondering; ASCOB is the term used for Cocker Spaniels meaning Any Solid Color Other Than Black.


Heather Anderson
www.heatheranderson-animalart.com

Open Up and Say..... ~~ Painting a Dog a Day by Kimberly Kelly Santini

"Open Up," 4" x 6", portrait of a very tired Brittany pup   Want to win this painting (or a similarly sized custom portrait) for someone special? visit the Daily Painters blogand leave a comment about who you would gift it to. But hurry up - the winner will be chosen next week!

You know the saying "those who work hard, play harder"? I'm testing the truth in that this weekend.   And doing my best to keep Finnigan safe - he doesn't like fireworks, which means he gets runs extra hard during daylight hours and goes out only on a leash in the evenings.   Thanks for looking at - and sharing - my artwork with your friends and family.   Enjoy your weekend!! Kim ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com     Weekly Recap   Starting this week, I'll be sending out an email that recaps the prior days' paintings.   Just because sometimes, in the thick of things, we miss a painting or two.   Or want to have a second peek.   If you are interested in subscribing to the Dog a Day Instant Replays, sign up here for the "Weekly Recap."   You can also use the above link to manage your subscriptions to the daily paintings and my studio newsletter.   Thanks so very much!!