Dalyon the Maitland Saddleworld dog

 Dalyon

 created 2009

 20 x 30cms custom framed oil

 Dalyon is the Maitland saddleworld dog.

 Dalyon was a big gangly puppy at the time so we decided to focus in on his expression. I took photos and made horse whinnying sounds ( lol's) which inspired the quizzical expression used for the portrait..

 I started Dalyon's portrait as a demonstration painting and finished him off in the studio.

 

Antonia finished

Here is Antonia finished.

 

Antonia 

 30 x 40cms image size 

 Custom framed Oil

Antonia hates having her photo taken and didn't really understand what I was doing when we organised her portrait so Peter and I were a bit worried about how she'd react to the portrait.

 When I showed it  her face lit up and she said " I like it ! Can I have it?"

Peter said " It's for your birthday mum".

 I said - "you look great" ( meaning in the portrait and in real life ) and she said " not bad!"

  Peter and I were delighted that she loved her portrait!

Now the family will have  a great heirloom that mum can enjoy and the others remember her by long after she's passed away.

I'll be painting at Warners Bay Sunday 2nd April

I'll be painting as part of the Hunter Arts Bazaar.

 I'll have a play with both of these unfinished Oil demo paintings. 

 

This border collie was started in 2013.Boy time flies.

I didn't realise it was that long ago!
 

This one  in 2016.
Come along and see it progress.

If you've been thinking of having a portrait created say hello , have a talk and show me your photos.

How I create portraits that are more alive than your photo! Portrait of Antonia 103 years old

I am creating a family heirloom portrait of Antonia who will be turning 104 years old in March.

Here are some really early stages of her portrait. 

The family want her ' warts and all" but I will still fine tune things to bring her to life!
I'm enjoying painting her. 

 Antonia doesn't like being photographed but I went and took 100's of photos  and this is the one the family chose. 

 Her portrait is a 30 x 40cms image size custom framed Oil.

  

 The sketch .  On request I've reduced the size of her nose a little although it's hard to see in the drawing.

A rough under painting in acrylic

 Here she is roughly 60% completed. I will emphasise the important things like her expression and add subtle colours for interest.

Since this photo was taken we are now at the final tweaking stages and I'm enjoying playing and adding subtle colours to give her portrait interest.

I'm also enjoying deciding what I want to emphasise and what things to downplay. This is how I create flattering lifelike portraits.
 

Unlike in a photo where everything has the same emphasis, in her portrait I can make her eyes more important , downplay wrinkles, enhance her expression and generally play around to ensure the best result.
When you look at your loved one or pet you don't see every detail- you hone in on what is important to you - their eyes and expression .
 

I recreate this in the portraits I create for you.

This is why the painted portraits I create are always so much more alive than the photo!

Tag # lifelike portraits # portraits painted #pet portraits

Wolfie's memorial portrait finished

 Memorial portrait of Wolfie
40 x 50cms image size
Custom framed Oil

Anne came out to the studio today to receive her memorial portrait of Wolfie .

"It looks as though he is looking at me.

So many memories come flooding back when I look at him. Wolfie was my protector, my gentle giant and my best friend while growing up with him. We had a very special bond. I still miss him after 40 years.

That's what I think of when I look at his portrait.

You have really done him justice Sue.

Thank you so very much."

Anne

Wolfie passed away back in the 70's but has always been her favourite pet. We created his portrait from a black and white photo with help from others for his colouring.

As part of " Paws for a Cause" I'll be painting at West Wallsend Neighbourhood Centre next wed 18th January

I'm not on this flyer as I was contacted after they'd been made..

 

I'll be doing a Pastel Pencil portrait of this cute silky terrier.