I love flood rain!

It's been raining heavily on & off for the last day.We've had 83mm so far ( over 3 ") and set to hang around.Lucky I rode Zeuss a few days ago as the arena is a swimming pool! Our newly regravelled drive is holding up well.2 out of 3 dams are full and our 'big dam ' is half but the creeks are running so its filling slowly.We have seasonal creeks on our place which means they only run in 'flood ' type rains..We live on top of a slight hill so the rain doesn't worry us much although it's soggy at the moment and the rotten male roos have decided to chase a female in heat and fight over her so they have dug up our 'lawn' - grr.
Heres are some pics I just took. Zeuss..not happy Jan

The view outside the studio

View looking out my studio window.. 

Hello..?
The female is under the front verandah and this is one of the males hangin g around.

Here's another one I did yesterday - unfinished

I quite like this one and I'm almost tempted to finish it off but I better catch up on art stuff as I've been away from the studio a lot lately.

Alan
 30 x 40cms
Unfinished 2.30hr Oil from a model

My latest portrait from life - unfinished

Here's my latest portrait done at the portrait group mentioned in the Hunter lifestyle magazine article .Once again it is unfinished. If I was to finish it I'd probably add a bit more orange / red to the LHS of her face , especially her LH forehead, refine things a bit and darken her shirt.

Emma

30 x 40cms

Oil

Why do things always happen when you don't have the time to deal with them!?

I don't think I'm destined to go this weekend..I ordered a canvas made to paint on and it came back inside out so now I have to spend an hour priming it etc before I can draw the dogs on it. Now the screws on my roof racks have stripped so the rack is unsafe and somehow I have to find room inside for lattice and supports.If you've seen my car packed ready to go you'd realise that it not going to be easy..Argh! much hair pulling..better get back and see whether the canvas is ready for another coat yet.

Myall lakes kayak trip

My partner & I went kayaking on Myall Lakes on the mid north coast NSW yesterday. After we left the launching spot we had the place all to ourselves.The only sound was the sounds of bird life and the booming of distant surf. It was lovely!

This is probably 1/3rd of the way across and 6-8' deep but you can still see the weed underneath.

The water was very cold.You wouldn't want to fall in but it was very clear. It was weird being halfway across the lake and you could see the weed on the bottom ..probably 12 foot below.It was a sunny day but cool with a light wind.

View from Shelley beach

Going across to the islands in the middle

Two of the islands which were too rocky to land on

We had lunch on an isolated island .With lunch came the only downside of the day..The @## army decided to have a jet dog fight over the lakes .It was deafening for about 30mins..NOT impressed.Why can't they go out to sea where they won't affect anyone.It also grates that there are so few areas where you can get away from the hustle and bustle and yet they have this sort of activity that wrecks the ambience of national parks.

At least the rest of the day was peaceful ( other than when I was distracted looking for a distant jet I could hear & grounded on a large rock sticking out of the deep water..ouch..luckily only a few deep scratches on the underside of the kayak..)




 

Almost back 

 It was beautiful at the end with hundreds of black swans all honking around us.

I was aching at the end but I was quite happy with myself as it was 17.5kms and I haven't paddled for 3 weeks.

Portrait of Bridie

 Bridie

20 x 25cm

framed Oil

Robyn said she could never capture Bridie in a photo so she decided a painting would do it better. Bridie is geting on a bit she's 12 now and been diabetic since she was young.She's the boss of the other dogs but very loyal and placid, she's never been destructive. I made her a little younger in her gaze.

Here is the secret mothers day portrait I did of Aarky

Arky was a Russian blue cat .Jessica's mum was horrified when Aarky was run over a month ago . Jessica thought that a portrait would help her mum deal with his death and be a moving mothers day gift.
 She didn't have any good photos and the one she first suggested wasn't usable. I managed to use a blurry flashed out head photo and place it on another photo of his body to come up with a portrait.

Here is the first photo that Jessica provided.

I didn't want to  paint from this photo as it is too far away , dark and featureless and I knew the portrait wouldn't be very good.
After looking through other photos Jessica found I suggested using this head

This photo wasn't very good either as it wasn't sharp and his eyes are ruined by the flash but it was the only one that might be usable to add to this body..which is a lovely photo of his blue coat but you can't see Aarky's lovely green eyes. Jessica wanted me to show his blue colour and green eyes .

Here is the final portrait .

Aarky 

 20 x 25cms framed Pastel

' Yes mum loved the portrait!  She cried. He's now hanging in our living room. '

Jessica

I'm painting as much as I can!

Panic stations this week as although I'll be around the next few weeks I won't be able to spend much time in the studio. I'm getting as much painting done as I can! I'll be checking emails but I won't be posting as often either.Time to paint an Oil portrait of Bridie a red cattle dog!

The creation of 'A big day"

I haven't posted any progressive photos of a painting for a while so here's one I did a while ago. I had taken photos of all the cats for a large portrait . We didn't use this one of Gabrielle the kitten but I thought it would be a fun one to paint .

Sketch

Early stages

Getting there! 

Finished!

 Sold

A big day!

Pastel

c 46 x 68cms framed

Have a Pastel created of your pet !

Click on the links at the top LHS to contact me.

My portrait of mum just won an Artshow award !

It won an award in the Oil painting section at the Dobell Artshow in Lake Macquarie.

Betty Linton OAM

The young boy and his dog portrait is progressing

I've just spent a few hours doing the background for the boy and dog portrait.It's finally coming together.It's suprising what a change of background can do.I was going to change the colour of his face but now it looks much more interesting.Still a fair way to go though. The two horse portrait is SO close..it's annoying that it's the last little tweaks which take so long and you can't hurry them!

Locked the keys in the car ..how embarassing!

I locked my keys in the car when I went sailboarding. I got into my wetsuit ,put my clothes in the car and closed the door and then went to open the front door to get the key I wear around my neck.Somehow the remote had gone off and locked everything! Darn.. Iwent for the sail and then got a loan of a phone to ring the NRMA.They said they'd be there within 60mins so I went out for another 5 mins for one last run and they were there when I got back in. He was only over the top of the hill!
I said I'd read you could ring someone and get them to point the remote at their phone and you point yours at the car & its supposed to open the door but he said that's untrue.Next time I'll make sure I have the spare key around my neck before I get undressed!

We haven't had a landscape for a while so here's one from the archives..

I saw this cottage when we were cycling up around Scone in the Hunter Valley and I loved the evening light and the mountains in the background . I took some photos and created this one back home in the studio. 

For Sale
$375

Life at Towarri

Framed Oil
 framed size

38 x 47cms - click here to see the type of frame

For those of you that missed it here's a link to the NBN TV segment on my pet portraiture

http://www.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fsoulstream1.sptel.com.au%2FNBN_News%2F%2Fpetportraits2004.wmv&h=4e34e

That was fun!

The TV crew have gone.I had a ball! I'm a bit of an extrovert so I was in my element.Not at all scary - lovely people.The cameraman is an artist so I even got a fresh eye to give me some tips to get past a blockage I have on one portrait.LOL's
They took video of some roos for the weathershot segment.The ducklings were there but scurried off into the long grass before we could get them.Pity the camera wasn't here yesterday as it was a gorgeous sunny late afternoon with heaps roos lazing about. I'm just looking out the studio window and a mum & joey are standing on the drive 30' away.Where were they when the camera was rolling?
 It will only be 1min 20secs so don't blink! They took a lot of footage and did an interview so I don't know how they will choose so it fits into that short space.I suppose thats their expertise.
Phew..I'm not dreading seeing it now.

Here's the Newcastle Herald article 20th April

Don't worry about the $6000 price tag .That's for a really complicated custom framed Oil with 12 individual people portrait's in a setting! I can provide portraits from $300 and have a wide range inbetween.

The Herald photographer had me use Zeuss as a prop.

She had him standing near me and me smoochinghim etc.. I had to make sure he didnt slobber on the portraits! I had him follow me down like a dog back to the paddock at the end ( I've done a lot of 'horse whispering'/groundwork with him).She was disappointed as she wanted to get photos but she'd run out of room on the camera.


I gave a little horse groundwork demo after she'd finished and then I rode him.

Last ride was a bit scary .He chucked some wobbly's on the lunge.Bolted , bronc act and reared and was ready to jump out of his skin when I rode him .

I wasn't going to ride before the TV came up in case I ended up falling off and getting injured but he was so good for the photos I thought I may as well ride him.He was great today back to his old self ( although he bolted on the lunge once).Too much sugary grass and not enough riding!

It will be interesting to see if they use any of the photos with Zeuss and I together.She had me sit on a stump with Z next to me ( he was sniffing the stump) and the portrait was leaned up in front of us.Unfortunately the ants that lived in the stump weren't impressed and came out in force.I expected Z to get bitten.and we had to move.It would have been interesting if he had been bitten!
 It was weird trying to get his ears forward.I'm not used to standing next to him and getting him to look attentive.I kept teasing him using the call I use when he gets food.Poor thing!

Oh well I have no idea what they are going to write.I usually wear crog sandals around the studio as they are comfortable.I got presentable for the photos but I still had the crocs on.I was going to change them but she said " No leave them on .You look like an artist! (?!)..How embarassing! LOL"s

I've now got a few pet portraits to show.

I've gone and borrowed some of my previous commissions for the cameras on Wednesday.
The Newcastle Herald Newspaper just rang me for an interview and they are coming up at 1pm for photos.It will be in sometime this week.The local paper 'Cessnock Advertiser ' is doing an article too..I think it will be on Wednesday. I really want to do some painting but I better clean the studio..We have a gecko that runs around the walls and keeps the small spiders under control but he leaves his little calling cards all over it so I better clean them off!

NBN TV are going to do a segment on my pet portraiture

They are coming up next Wednesday. It's a pity a lot of the portraits I have at home are secrets so I can't show them! I think I have enough although they are mainly horse portraits.
 The segment will be going to air that night so sometime during the news ( 6 -7 pm) Wed 20th.

Well the photoshoot was the most disappointing one I've ever done!

 We wanted Kiri ( a gorgeous large Maine Coon cat ) standing with her tail up and looking at you.She is multi coloured with a big white mane , long fur , a massive bushy tail and 'pantaloons' ( bushy legs.) She had other ideas and stayed lying down.( when she didn't disappear).I did get some nice ones of her playing but that doesn't show off her beauty properly. Hopefully we can create a suitable portrait using earlier shots I took of her standing and another earlier photo of her face.
Becky ran off and even when we shut her in a room so she couldn't get away she went under the bed! Once again hopefully we can use existing photos..
 The photos were taken indoors which made it harder as the light isn't as bright which makes it harder for the camera ( I didn't use a flash). I'll have alook at what we have now and see what ideas I can come up with and what heads we may be able to put on what bodies! LOL's

Getting to know everyone

Today I'm going to do a photoshoot of 3 cats. I hope they are in an obliging mood as you can't tie cats up like you can a dog!
I've underpainted the portrait of the young boy and his dog but I won't do any more at the moment as they are coming to meet me this afternoon.I'll have a better idea of what to do with the portrait after I've met them. You can see more colour in the 'flesh' than in a photo and I can get a better idea of eye colour plus I'll get to know their personality which will hopefully help it come out in the portrait.

Catch!

Here's another from the archives.I took lots of photos of the two Aussie shepherds playing and did this painting as a demo.I wanted to capture Scarlet's intent look - she was going to get that ball!

Ollie + Scarlet

30 x 40cms Oil on gallery wrap canvas

Some early photos of Zeuss 14 years ago before I got him and early days when I did have him.

There used to be a guy who would supply several horses for people to ride on organised trailrides - Morpeth medicine ride etc. He used to deal in horses..lovely bloke but some of the horses were dodgy! Zeuss was one of them.Here is one of him as he was when I used to turn up for a trailride and he was provided for me.There were 800 horses and by the end I was cantering among them and jumping logs..( not a bad feat for a nervous rider - a credit to Zeuss's temperament.

The gear was dodgy too- you were lucky if the saddle and bridle  held together!

Zeuss was one of the good horses.He did stumble badly though..right to his knees! The next year I decided I wanted a horse so I looked at 36 advertised in the paper over a period of months. With number 36 I was bucked off and knocked unconscious and decied I wouldn't look any more as it was too dodgy!
 Luckily for me the lady who owned Zeuss and used to let him be used for the trailrides reluctantly decided to sell him.She had a bad back and she fell off when he stumbled and she realised she couldn't risk her back riding any more.She offered him to me for a trail as she wanted him to go to a good home and knew I liked him.At the time I thought he was too ugly , quiet and stumbled too badly - all wrong! I didn't even know he had a start and snip as his forelock covered them ..you can see what he looked like when I rode him.
He turned out to be cute , very intelligent , trainable , comfortable , lovely nature , not as quiet as I expected. Mind you  maybe the 25acres of clover and only being ridden every 3 weeks had something to do with it!
I got him vet checked to see if he was a wobbler ( a condition that makes horses stumble). He didn't lunge at that time so I was running around leading him and fell head over heels.. The vet said " the horse isn't a wobbler but the rider is! ".
 His stumbling was partley due to bad shoeing , partly lack of fitness and inattention..He's good these days.
He only knew walk then canter as his trot was horribly uncomfortabel so everyone avoided it and he was hard mouthed ( never been broken in properly and didn't understand).I rode him in a parelli rope halter for a few years as a result and he went brilliantly. I could still use it now if I wanted..When he was going he used to look like a stick insect with his neck stuck out and spread out..I had a good photo to show it but I can't find it now. Here are some early ones of us.

 I used to ride in a big comfy stocksaddle.

Well it wasn't really the background that was the problem at all!

The portrait was two separate heads placed on a background..they weren't supposed to look as if they were together but because of the shape of them I am  going to have to make up some suggested bodies to go with them so it looks natural..
 Usually if you choose suitable photos several heads will look ok together but they dont have to look as if they are together naturally in a scene..e.g - Maddie, Hoover & Goddot.
This one looked like I didn't know how to draw a horse as it looked like a 2 headed horse! By placing more body in the portrait it now looks like 2 horses.

Bunmmer stuck again.. there goes the planned schedule.

Well I was so enthused about trying something different for the background of my 2 horse portrait . I don't think it's going to work so back to the drawing board. This is why it's hard to put a time on how long a portrait takes -things happen and I get stuck and then I just have to sit on it and hope I'll come up with a solution soon.
Some of the ones I get stuck on end up being my best -they just take longer.
I've changed the background colour and it seems a bit better.My partner just came past and made a comment that reminded me that not many non artist realise how everything works together.If I change the background colour it will affect the whole portrait so the whole lot will have to be subtly changed to suit. Also if I have to make a change of part of a face  etc it usually involves hours of work as once you change one thing the rest needs to be adjusted.

Some photos of my ride in the arena last week

I'm still a bit nervous about riding even though he was great this day.It's been over a week since the last ride.I'll just have to try and ride more often.I did groundwork today and we both enjoyed it.


This is my favourite.The light was going from the arena but we got caught in a flash of sun here..

  Warning some of the following photos are not very flattering ones of me ! LOL's

Warmup

No he wasn't playing up..This one is weird! I liked the look of it..
Bummer Blogger won't let me upload vertical photos so I can't put any lateral work ones here..

One from the archives

As I don't have any portraits at the stage to show you I'll pull a painting from the archives.This one was inspired by some extreme weather we were having at the time - flooding rain , strong winds and snow on the higher peaks.


One of the kangaroos has adapted to the conditions but his mate isn't impressed and is thinking " What the ..??

Skiroo ( a play on skidoo )

30 x 40cms Oil on gallery wrap canvas

For Sale on my website click here

Here is Maddie , Hoover and Goddot framed.

 I usually don't place glass on Oil portraits as it's not necessary and glass has reflections and dulls the colour a bit however with this portrait we have used 2 mats under glass. The choice is yours.

Here's the 2 dogs and pig portrait finished

Maddie , Hoover + Goddot
"It's great!"
30 x 40cms
Framed Oil

Phew life's good again..

I decided it was time to ride Zeuss again and take advantage of the fact that he shouldn't be as fresh.I got my partner to come down as moral support and it was a good chance to get some photos although the light was fading.My partner was worried as the last time I was bucked off he was taking photos. I tried something new and Zeuss was worried about it. Usually I'll stop and re assess and get him used to whatever it is but the camera was there wasn't it? I ignored the problem cantered over the jump and Zeuss stopped dead , put his head down and bucked. I hit head first with a loud cracking sound and my partner freaked as he thought I'd broken my neck and would be in a wheelchair.I was in a lot of pain at first and already had a pre exisiting neck problem so I was really worried. We got the ambulance and then they called the helicopter.
After a while I said to my partner 'where Zeuss? '.He was just standing at the other end of the unfenced arena and hadn't budged when the ambulance arrived.I said ' you better put him away before the helicopter gets here.'
Anyway it all turned out ok I only had a few popped ribs + a sore shoulder. Amazingly my neck wasn't injured at all! The worst thing was I had a free helicopter ride and i couldn't look at the scenery as I had a neckbrace , drip and oxygen on ..grr
Today he went great! I cantered up the drive after and he went a bit funny and started the bouncy bouncy thingy as we went into the canter. I just have to remember to not cramp up , relax and go really lightly on the reins. He settles down and it feels unreal so light and slow and collected..Just a wake up call I suppose. There still life in the old bugger yet!

I hate being a whimp..

Well I've just had the wind put up me after riding Zeuss.he got the closest to bucking he has for over 3 years and now I'm really nervous about riding him again.I've always been a nervous rider.Sometimes I think I would be scared riding a 3 legged donkey.
I took him down to the arena for the usual half hour workout .It's been been 9 days since I rode him but that usually isn't a problem except he might spook a bit more.He was yawning on the way so I thought things would be fine. We are getting our road graded but I wasn’t too worried as he used to live on a property with earthmoving equipment so he's pretty good with it. Sometimes the drone of engines can put him on edge..he doesn’t actually spook at the thing that is making the noise but he gets ‘edgey’ and finds other things to spook at..He seemed ok today until I asked him to canter and then he started to bound around and try  and take off..I got him together again but it worried me a bit. I think I may have accidently been letting the whip brush his flanks as I asked.. anyway got that going ok but then later he spooked at something and tried to run. I had a battle with his head in the air and his mouth open and then he started bounding and felt like he was going to throw a buck in. I got it under control and re asked and got some nice canter transitions . I patted him and said good boy and he relaxed again but it’s the closest to bucking hes been in 3 years and has really put me on edge. I know I wouldn’t stay on in the all purpose saddle.In the old days I had a stock saddle.
I suppose feeling out of control scared me and I didn’t like being worried about asking for canter.I may have been pulling/ confining on him too much when he was freaking up as he was sensitive today..Going up the drive the grader was closer which was ok until it started to break down a few smaller trees.I just let him go on a looser rein and patted him when he relaxed and we were ok.. phew..Im just worried Ill be too freaked out to ride him and enjoy him next time..de ja vu..
I always handle what he does ok at the time but it's the imagining later that wrecks it. I just rang a friend to debrief and get moral support and she told me about a lovely sensible experienced lady rider she met at a clinic who got thrown and died soon after..Not helpful!

It doesn't help that if my partner finds out he'd have me retire Z..mind you if he does buck again & I survive I think I'll retire him anyway.I'm getting too old for the risk..It would be a waste of a good horse though.

Eek..time to do art much safer..

It's important to have some clear photos taken of your pet while they are healthy

I keep getting people contacting me about a portrait after their pet has died but they have never taken many photos. Make sure you or someone takes photos of your pet while they are healthy.It doesn't matter if you don't get that perfect shot as long as they are clear.I can often come up with your perfect portrait by combining several clear photos. If you are local you can have me come and take photo's sutiable for a portrait and I'll keep them on file until you are ready to have one created.
Read the advice on how to take suitabel photos at this link on my website
http://www.suelinton.com.au/pages/commissioningwork.html
The tips above are for dogs and pets. If you are taking photos of a horse look at this link-
http://www.suelinton.com.au/pages/commissioningworkhorses.html

Framing

I don't always frame with the same type of frame it's just that the last two portraits have suited that particular one.I  choose the most flattering frame for each portrait .I f you have a preference - gold / wood types etc I'll try and see if I can get a frame of the type you prefer that suits and run it past you for approval.For overseas portraits it's often easier to provide an unframed portrait.An oil can be rolled and sent in a tube and you can frame the portrait when it arrives.

I've finally framed the cute little Shetland

I fiddled a little with him and framed him . He's for sale.You can buy him through Paypal click on the button below.

Frank
25 x 30 image size
Pastel
 Framed size 43 x 51cms

For Sale
$525
Framed
He's framed with 2 mats under glass with a distressed wood frame.

Reeling back the years..

I'm not going to be able to make the Springer Spaniel  as young as I'd like to. She has an old face ( bone structure ) in the reference photo so if I just change her colour she will look old but the wrong colour. Also I don't think her owner will see it as her. I'm going to make her a bit less grey and try & make her a bit more alert.


 I've got to work out what it is that makes her look old & try & downplay it.If only it was that easy in real life! My ankle is holding up well which is good as I'm booked for a photoshoot of a red cattledog tomorrow morning so I need to be able to drive.

Walking wounded.

Well I'm hobbling around on home made crutches..grr.I went crewing on a raceboat ( yacht) after sailboarding yesterday.The wind was strong and we had too much sail up.I've strained my ankle.My partner went on another yacht and came home with a pulled muscle in his chest so we're both the walking wounded.I think we're getting too old to crew.We need our own boat were we can rig correctly for the conditions and get more powerful whinches.


I think I did it when I was on the foredeck .The boat deck was at 45 degrees and I had to get on the lower side and lift the headsail up over the lifelines where it was caught. The deck is open and slipperyso you could easily slip and fall through the lifelines.I had to grab a staunchion ( post) on the uphill side and lower myself to the other side and jam my foot up against another staunchion so I was in safe position to do the job.It was a long reach and all my weight went onto that ankle.I didnt feel it at the time but it started to stiffen up as I left the boat and it  was a real problem driving.

My partner made me some homemade crutches but well have to go in and get some real ones today.It was really painful yesterday but if I keep off it its not too bad today.I thought I might do some more painting but I have to stand to paint as I have a crook neck..The joys of getting old!

I've started on the two Spaniel and pig portrait

I've finally got over the scary stage  - the canvas is covered! Its pretty rugged at the moment but that doesn't worry me as I'll keep refining and correcting things as I paint until it's finally finished.It won't stay blue!

I was getting impatient by the time I got to the cocker spaniel so he is pretty rugged but there is enough information there to go on with.I just want to get the basic design done and check it looks ok. I'm really enjoying this one and I think it is going to look great when it's done!With the help of some younger photos of her I'm going to give the Springer Spaniel a makeover. Boy she certainly looks old these days!

 I'm not using the pets names for privacy reasons.My client's ! Not the pet's..

It was 'mother's club ' at our place this am.

2 of the 5 ducklings left from the original 8.They better grow wings soon so they can fly away and be safe! The family roams all over the place feeding and it's a long way to run to the dam for safety!

There were about 4 joeys out and about ( not including the ones in the pouch that you can't see). I tried to get a pic with them all in but didn't quite make it.The roos haven't been around the house for a while but since the rain we just had they are back to get the new grass shoots.

The little joey up the back to the right of the tree was cute. He came down for a visit but I didn't catch it with the camera.

Well I've done the sketches for the portrait of the two Spaniels and the pig and sent them off for approval.

Let's go! Framed

I just need to sign him & he's finished!

Latest portrait painted from a live model in 2.30hrs - unfinished sketch

Heres' the latest portrait from my fortnightly portrait group sitting.


Glenda

30 x 40cms

unfinished Oil sketch 2.30hrs

Im very happy with the colours.If I was to finish her I'd just refine things a little and finish her eyes etc better.

Why get a painting? I have a photo....See below

Boss - Oil portrait on the left - the original photo on the right.
Notice how much more alive and interesting the Oil portrait is than the photo.It will look even better framed!

Remember this is a painting I did for myself so I was free to add a bit of extra colour.Boss's nan Ann loves the portrait as it is!

The horse event was interesting..

Well I set up my display at the horse event under the verandah of the clubhouse and thought I was safe but mid pm a big storm came through .There was a mad rush with people carrying stands and tables into the clubhouse.Luckily nothing too important got wet. I'm glad I wasn't one for the people out there doing a dressage test in the rain! I packed up early as a result. Some lovely horses there today.I get home and poor old Zeuss looks plain! Mind you he only cost me $600!
Thanks everyone who helped!

Two spaniels and a pig!

We have chosen the best photos from the ones I took for the Springer Spaniel , Cocker Spaniel and Pig portrait.I've come up with an idea that I think looks best with the photo  placement and done a mockup and sent it through for approval.


Its now going to be a framed Oil rather than a Pastel.I think it is going ...to look great!
If this idea is approved I can then go ahead and do a sketch of each pet and send those through for approval .If there are any changes needed they can be done then and then once that is passed I can start the portrait!

I'm preparing for another public painting day

I'm going to be working on a commissioned portrait -  the large double horse portrait .I have it roughly underpainted.You normally work from dark to light colours and rough to more refined as you finish but I've had to leap ahead and put some of the finishing colours on ( just a few marks) as I will be painting outside in bright light.Now I know what colours I need to use for it to look ok inside.


Bright light shows colours well but normal inside light is duller so you need to paint more brightly to allow for that. It may look a bit over the top at the demo but I dont want to get it home & then have to brighten it up.

I won't be under shelter and the forecast is a bit iffy so I hope the rain holds off for the day.It's a public holiday tomorrow so I probably won't get any work done in the studio.

Good & bad news..

We had a thunderstorm with 20mm rain last night..Yeehaa! The place was tinder dry and trees were dying .Today you can see the grass growing and everything feels so lovely.

On the down side 3 of the ducklings are gone.Goanna ? Fox ? Eagle?
 Maybe this is the culprit..he's big! about 5'? This photo was taken on a really hot day a month or so ago.he was sitting in a cool spot near the tank.

A funny sight!

We have another lot of ducklings being raised by the native woodducks.I'm suprised they have survived as the local goanna is about and last time I saw him his belly was so full it was almost dragging on the ground.Maybe he's been sleeping it off and that's why they survived! The parents are 2nd time ones so they are pretty tame but yesterday I noticed mum was missing and dad and the brood were pretty twitchy.
The ducklings can't fly so they just walk around everywhere or run when they are scared.
They took fright at something yesterday and they were running so fast the little ducklings were doing someraults and landing on their backs with their feet in the air for a second . They'd pick themselves up and take off again only to go head over heels again.About 4 out of 8 did it and some 3 x in the one run..Wish I could have got it on video!
 Mum turned up looking bedraggled a bit later on and everyone was happy again.Animals! If only we could just live in the present all the time!

He may not be finished but he will do for the moment!

Let's go!
 30 x 40cms image Oil
To be framed.