Artscrawl 2012 -June Long weekend

Here are some hotos from the weekend.
I had a display inside on both days and did a demo painting on the verandah for people to watch on the Saturday. I didn't get as much done on the demo as usual as I was talking to people a lot but I enjoyed meeting everyone. 
When I first setup my display I realised I had mainly horse paintings .That is only because I have been doing displays at horse events so have more samples. Many of  my recent dog portraits have been commissions and gone out to the client.
 I thought 'I hope some horsey people come!".
 Did they ever? Everyone came out of the woodwork and it was great to meet them all. 

 

Here is the full display - see there were some doggy portraits! lol's

This is the demo painting I started of Rusty. There is a long way to go to finish him. I'll get back to him after I've done my equine entry.

 I paint in a different order when I'm doing a demo. You are supposed to start of doing all the darker bits and then the middletones and then the lightest and the finishing touches. If I did that the portrait would look really drab and boring and send people to sleep so I cheated and started on his eyes and mouth first.

The paper is a dark blue colour which I want have showing through in places in the finished portrait so I am going slowly so I don't cover it all up. In retrospect it wasn't the best choice for a demo as it takes forever to look decent. Oh well you live and learn!

I'm gradually adding colour. He will get lighter and more orange as I get closer to finishing him.Note I've cheated and made his eyes really vibrant to give people something to look at.They look a bit over the top at the moment but that's just because the rest of the portrait has to get a lot lighter.

 

This is what I got done on the day. I was painting in bright light on the verandah and when I got him home I realised he looked dark and drab compared to how he had looked on the verandah.

I have to make him a lot brighter. 

The type of light you paint under has a really big effect on the end result.If you are painting a landscape with your easel set up outside you need to have the painting in the shade as you are painting.If you have it in bright sunlight it will look good out there but really drab once you get it inside.

To be continued!
 Here are some more photos of the day. The Artscrawl is on every year on the June Long Weekend so put it in your calendar for next year! 

Me demonstrating on the verandah. Lovely views from there! I have sat and painted those views years ago.

Louise Dews with her hand crafted jewellery.

Opening night
There was screen printed clothing and pillows , blown glass , paintings , fancy handmade scarves , and many more interesting gifts.

I've revamped my older sample painting ' Power & grace"

I didn't realise but it's been 2 years since I painted this one! I decided I could improve on the old version.

In the earlier version I had deliberately not made the background too dark as I didn't want it really dark when the painting was hung indoors. I decided it's usually viewed in bright light so I'd darken the background for more impact. In the photo above I've just started to darken it around the front of the horse.After I changed the background I subtly altered the rest of the painting for more impact and to suit the background.
 Here it is  completed.

Above -  Not a great photo.It does show the frame and size.

Power and Grace

59 x 59cms 

Framed Oil

Detail

Print this voucher & see me at the art bazaar this weekend for a discount!

Print this voucher and present it to me at the Art Bazaar this weekend for a 10% discount off any portraits booked on the weekend or 10% off one of my existing artworks ( either at the exhibition or on my website).
To qualify for the original work off my website discount a deposit must be paid on the weekend.
You don't need to print the voucher in colour .A quick B & W will suffice.
Hope to see you there!

I will be at an art bazaar this long weekend. So come along and say hello!

I will be at the opening Friday night and then demonstrating / painting a portrait for people to watch all day Saturday.
  Note the art Bazaar is only on Friday & Saturday!

Article in the Lakes Mail May 2012

A portrait in memory of Max

Max 

 25 x 30cms 

Framed Oil
" It's absolutely brilliant! Spot on! You've really captured him."
 Jenny

 Max passed away earlier this year and Jenny had me create a portrait to remember him.

Here is how Jenny described him.

'Max was a big ginger cat, robust and proud but also vulnerable, he was the biggest kitten of the litter so he dominated the food. He was a hunter and would always bring back his catch for approval. He was vulnerable to changes; he would cringe and cry when a storm approached and cry when the magpies ate his food or when he was under attack from the minor birds.  When we went away he moved into his second home next door and when we returned he would show is displeasure at our absence by ignoring us for a few days.

He ignored the fish in the pond but always drank there.

I instinctively knew he was unwell when he got diabetes, he was like a best friend and it was the saddest day when I had to do the kindest thing for him. He was my big ginger cat and I miss him dearly.'

Jenny

Helen & Danny Boy- Todays 2.30hr practise portrait from a model.

I was really enthused today when I realised our portrait model had bought her dog Danny boy in to be part of our painting!
I knew he wouldn't stay still long so got his general face 1st as he was looking at us.Lucky I did as he fell asleep later.. He's the best dog model I've come across!
It was a different portrait to usual as I did the whole scene for once which means her face is pretty small.
 I was pretty happy with it at portraits but got it home and it is a lot drabber than I want. The light must be much brighter in the portrait room. I'll have to remember that next time and make it look a bit garish there so it will look ok at home.
 If I was to finish this one off I'd soften Helen's face a bit so it is a  little more flattering and brighten the colours up a bit.

Zarley's portrait

Here is a portrait in memory of Zarley who has passed away. He's a Portugese waterdog.
 I cropped the photo so we would get Zarley larger in the portrait. The complete wording on his bed says
" If my dreams would come true it would rain bones"


Zarley
 40 x 50cm
 unframed Oil
'It looks AMAZING!!!!I love the picture!!!!'
Ashley ( when she saw the photo of the portrait).

'He's fabulous!

 I love, love, LOVE the painting! ( when he arrived in the post)'.

Dianne this weeks 2.30hr portrait from a model

Early stages just getting a likeness in the acrylic underpainting. This can take up to 1.30hr of the session but I usually wait until I have a good likeness before I put oil over the top.I've been getting faster lately and on a good session can have an adequate likeness within an hour.

A bit better likeness. I loved the accidental drips of paint! I almost left it at this stage.

Starting to put the Oil paint over the top. I used to do all the dark bits of the oil first but lately I cheat and do the colourful bits and features first as it feels like I am getting the portrait done quicker! Also as it is over dry paint it won't go muddy so I can work like that.The usual procedure with Oil is to work from dark to light.

Getting there. We rarely get a flattering portrait as the spotlight we use is more for drama than anything else and rarely flatters the sitter. These are my practise portraits so that doesn't matter. If it was a commissioned portrait I'd make sure it was more flattering!

What I completed in the sitting. I am pretty happy with it. It's got good oomph and colour and a pretty good likeness although unflattering.. If I was to finish it off I'd add some detail to the eyes and make that area a little less dark.

My self portrait wins $750 art prize!

Local  Artist Sue Linton wins $750  1st prize.
Sue won  the Oil section at the Dobell Artshow at Rathmines at the weekend with her self portrait.
Sue is a professional portrait painter from Quorrobolong and paints pet and horse portraits as well as people.
Archibald entrant Sue regularly paints from models who pose for a group of artists and her self portrait was created as an entry for an exhibition put on by this group .
Like an Archibald entry the portrait was created largely from ‘life’ rather than all from a photo. A photo was used for the pose but then the colours and detailing were gathered from painting herself side lit in a mirror.

Sue said – ‘ I wanted to show me in the act of painting – to make the viewer feel I was about to place a brushstroke- and have a colourful and lifelike portrait. .’
 Sue’s mother Betty Linton who featured as Sue’s Archibald entry for last year , was responsible for starting the movement to preserve Dobell’s House in Wangi  after the famous painter died.
 

Artworks and artist displayed below.

Michael - My latest 2.30hr unfinished Oil portrait from a model

Here's Mondays 2.30hr portrait from a model

Michael
30 x 40cms
Oil on canvas
I'm pretty happy with this one although due to the limited time I painted his face 1st and clothes later and you can tell.If I was to finish him off I'd put a few darker and sharper lines through his shirt and more pinks to even out the overall effect. He is quite a character!
Michael is a professional artist's model and you can tell the difference as he brings 'something' to his pose..

Rhiannon & Storm

Here is the finished portrait of Rhiannon and Storm.

You can see photos of the portrait being created in an earlier post.

Rhiannon and Storm

c 50 x 60cms image

 Framed Oil
' Absolutely thrilled with the portrait of Rhiannon and Storm. You have done such an amazing job.'
Rhiannon and Robyn

 Hung on my wall.

An enjoyable day

I had a lovely studio visit on Tuesday. Shelley her dad and daughter watched me paint some of Zarley's portrait and  had a look at the weekly portrait sketches and the landscapes I have .They enjoyed watching Zarley's portrait start to come to life.
We had fun talking , had afternoon tea and they departed with quite a few paintings under their arm.
 If you'd like to come along and watch me paint and see where I work just contact me to arrange a time!

In memory of Rambo

Rambo passed away several years ago and the portrait I created will be a birthday gift. The lady knows it is coming but hasn't seen the result so she should be very excited.

Rambo

 12 x 16 " image 

 Framed Pastel

 I love knowing I'm a part of making someones day so special!

You can see more of my portraits at 

www.suelinton.com.au

I bring your photos to life in paintings that will touch your heart!

 Satisfaction guarantee

Rupert the Belgian barge dog

I finally finished off the pastel of Rupert I started as a demo about a month ago.


He's got a really unusual fluffy coat that was fun to do.

Rupert

23 x 28cms image

 Pastel

The photo I was using had Rupert looking cuddly and relaxed with his ears back. His owner asked if I could put them forward as this was more typical of Rupert. I'd usually say it wasn't possible as when a dog has it's ears forward the eyes and face shape are different to if it has them back but I think we got away with it here ( below). I just suggested his ears which works as they are usually partly obscured by fur anyway. 
Altered portrait -

Now he looks like he is ready to go on their  next big adventure!

I really enjoyed the Doggy Day Out on Sunday

We had great weather , sunny light winds, even a little warm although I was ok in the shade of my awning.
I got to meet some nice people and their dogs and enjoyed sketching everyone's dogs. The sketches went down really well.
I would have loved to see the stage events but I couldn't get away for long. Spunky Puppies next door had some amazing coloured poodles and a small dog made up to look like a bumblebee complete with wings!I think it may have won a fancy dress comp on the day.
 I wish I'd thought to take a photo of it.They dye the dogs and it gradually grows out.
 Here are a few pics of the day. I should have got someone to take a photo of me sketching but I didn't think of it.

I also didn't think to take photos of the sketches except for the last 2 I did. Here they are remeber they are only 15min odd sketches from a moving dog so they won't be as finished or as accurate as my usual portraits. They are A3 ( 30 x 40cms size ).

An Australian shepherd puppy. I loved the colour of his fur!

Kelsea a Samoy . I had fun getting the lovely soft look of her fur.

Here is some of Spunky puppies handiwork

Grr!!

He doesn't quite look mean enough does he..I think he'll have to 'grow into his new look & get a new attitude..lol's

Poor old Zeuss..

 Zeuss

My horse Zeuss is very sensitive and has been eaten alive by mossies lately. He's sleep deprived from stomping and snatching at bugs.
 I had him up today to go for a ride and was grooming him and asked him to move his hindquarters over.He's really good with that sort of thing so when he came towards me and circled the wrong way for 2 laps and then tried to back up before he finally realise what I wanted I knew it was going to be an interesting ride!.lol's

Another hint was his constant yawning and him going to sleep as I groomed  zzzz... I'd just sprayed the bugs so they were giving him a bit of a respite and he was making the most of it to get micro sleeps.
He was too tired to muck up on the lunge and I was very impressed at how light , responsive and good he was to ride.I wasn't going to ride him very long or hard as I felt sorry for him. I asked for a fast canter and then to slow it and  he stumbled badly. It's a grassed arena and he can stumble occasionally but it doesn't worry me as he always gets it together. 
 I thought he'd had it today ( so did he). He went down onto his nose and travelled along on it for 4 or 5 strides before he managed to get up.He is a very comfortable horse to ride and even his stumbling rarely unseats me.
 I finished off soon after that as he was going well and I decided to quit while we were ahead.
 It wasn't till he was unsaddled that I saw his nose was bleeding from the inside so it was a painful stumble.. Poor thing. He seems ok though.

He looks alert but that's just because I called him and he thinks he's going to be fed! lol's.. See his left nostril..

After the ride although he was like that before!

Monday's portrait from life Saskia

Saskia kept a lovely smile. She was amazing. She even fell asleep while modelling still smiling!
I love the zap of this portrait and her hair..I just have to figure out how to keep that zap as i refine the portraits. My self portrait looks drab next to this one.

Creating my self portrait

The portrait group I paint with are all painting a self portrait for an exhibition at the end of this month. I've left it a bit late but at least I've started.
I'm painting myself without glasses as a lot of the portrait will be painted looking in the mirror and I can't see myself from that distance with glasses..( that's my story and I'm sticking to it..lol's)..No it is true.
I started with a photo to capture the concept and I used the photo to get the sketch accurately done.

I'm painting in acrylic paint and this is just getting the angle of the head and relative distances of the length of the nose and eyes etc..It's pretty rough as I'll be constantly correcting it until I feel it's right.At this stage I just want to be sure the whole portrait will fit on the canvas.

 

 I quite like this stage but I have to change it as it's incorrect.The left eye needs to go down , the face shape changes a bit as does the hair shape. When I had the photo taken I had a narrow strappy top on that makes me look like I haven't got anything on.The shoulders are too distracting anyway so I'll add a shirt later.

This is more accurate.The photo was taken outside in flat lighting .Now I want to add a spot light for a bit of extra interest with the lighting.

Adjusted sketch with lighting now coming from the left and highlighting the left side of my face and hand. Not a bad start. I can see the left eye is still a bit big but I'll adjust that as I go to Oils next. From now on I'll be painting mainly with the mirror. Typical.. The first thing we tell the model at portrait classes is to take up a pose they can comfortably hold for 3hrs at 20mins a time..So what do I do.. My neck is going to kill me! lol's The next stage will be to introduce colour in Oils. I want this portrait to be very colourful.

Here I'm starting to come back and cover the whole portrait in Oils. Here I am now using a mirror and I have a spotlight on myself.I used a photo to get the general proportions and drawing right because the pose was hard to hold.

Covering the face

A bit further along

My face is roughly done in the one above now to do my hand and roughly cover the rest of the canvas.

Now to refine my shirt and apron and generally get a an accurate likeness and lighting on  my face. This is the stage where it slows down . I can fine tune the face for 10 hours and you probably won't even notice the difference in a photo.

This photo is a bit lighter than the previous one. That's the photographer. The last one was a bit too dark.

This is many hours later.. spot the difference lol's..Sometimes I can work for hours and when i compare the painting to earlier photos it seems I've even gone backwards..argh!

Getting pretty close I think. The eyes aren't as vibrant as the photo my camera loves to enhance that colour blue and nothing else which makes it hard to photograph certain paintings..

 I'm a bit disappointed as I really wanted this painting to be very colourful. One problem is that half of my face is in shade so it's hard to do a lot with that and I need to keep the focus on the side being hit by the light which means keeping the other side darkish so the highlighted side has impact.

 Finished..

'Making a mark' 

Sue self portrait -2012

I'll post a photo of it in the exhibition when I get photos . This photo is pretty accurate colourwise.Some of the earlier progressive photos aren't. I used a better camera for the final photo.It's a hard painting to get a decent photo of.

 Here we are at the exhibition.

Note the size of a 40 x 50cms image. A framed portrait 40 x 50cms image will be even bigger and makes a stunning focal point in a home.

Tania -This weeks 2.30hr portrait from a model

 Tania

 30 x 40cms 

unfinished Oil on canvas

Painted from life

I'm pretty happy with this portrait. It has captured the light nicely .I deliberately left her eyes less finished than usual as I liked the blue coming through.Thanks for sittting so well Tania.