Framed ' Pre Race Banter'

Not the most flattering photo of me or the painting but it does show the size.lol's

 Pre Race Banter

Oil

76 x 81 cms framed size

Callum - this weeks practise portrait

Callum
30 x 40cm image size unframed Oil on Canvas
Here's today's practise 2.30hr portrait from a model. I really enjoyed painting Callum and he made it easy by posing well and not moving.

I found painting his long hair and headgear great fun!
I feel that even unfinished this portrait captures something indefinable..

Dog Funkhana at the dog cafe Gosford last Sunday

The dog fun khana on Sunday was good.
Dog Fun Khana
It rained on & off but we had a good turnout and plenty of dogs for the races and games. It was very entertaining and I think everyone enjoyed themselves.
I wanted to get some action photos of them racing but my camera battery decided to die just as I set up. Bummer..
I was busy socialising so I was late starting to do my dog sketches. I only ended up doing one but it was of 3 dogs! which was challenging and ended up taking me 40 mins odd. Everyone had gone by the time I finished.

Due to lack of time I usually  use my camera to get the proportions of the dog and then finish off the sketched portrait from the live dog. This sketch I did mainly from the camera as with 3 dogs you need to plan where to place each one on the paper etc and I knew it would take me longer than normal. I did finish off at the end with each dog.

It was fairly dark where I was sketching so some of the photos of the sketch didn't turn out. here I have positioned each dog and in a lighter colour roughed them in.

Here I have shaded the darker areas a bit in a slightly darker pastel.It's not very obvious in the photo but I have done it! lol's
 Usually my sketches stay in sepia but the dogs were black so I decided to make them a bit darker. I didn't make them a black blob as I wanted some life in the sketch. The ' finished' sketch is below.
I'm going to frame it for Cindy and deliver it to Sharlene.

 

Cindy's dogs
Holly , Heather & Hanna
Considering the time it took at 15mins per dog I think it turned out pretty well.
My full portraits take several weeks per dog so are obviously more realistic and accurate!

  
I finally got around to framing Cindy's quick sketch from the dogfunkhana.

Below
 
I decided I wanted to finish off Cindy's sketch a bit more so here is the latest version. I've put it back in the frame and it looks great! I'll deliver it to her tomorrow.

 

Holly, Heather and Hannah
quick pastel sketch
30 x 40cms image size
 

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!