Black on Grey on White

I love it when a plan comes together! A cliché but holds true right now. Commission completed and accepted!!! Here is Keltie a lovely little West Highland Terrier. I've drawn him in profile as it seemed the best way of bringing out his eyes. Westie are always hiding behind a little bit of a fringe. Had a ball drawing this hairy chap, it was not as hard as I had initially believed. I reckon the fact that the hairs are white and not black helped heaps! Inspiration still running high so its back up to the studio for me. Cheerio

Completed this little drawing in 1h50. Third in the series "2h drawings". The results is mediocre (to say the least) but the lessons learned priceless. Speed scares me and freezes my senses. Taking up this challenge on a weekly basis is targeting one of my biggest weakness head on. Whether it will help on the long run goodness only knows but sitting back and saying I can't do it for sure wont. New one next week. Who knows maybe it will be a little better. Cheers

Yep! I am flattered. Flattered that someone in a time of great sorrow would thing of turn to my work for help. Today I have just been asked to draw a dog who sadly died of cancer 2 days ago. This is the second order this Christmas season when someone has asked me, within days of loosing their companion, to draw a portrait in their memory. I must admit, being asked to portray deceased pets and individuals happens quite often but never within a couple of days of the subjects death. I feel very humbled that someone should feel that one of my drawings will be a source of comfort and maybe help in the mourning process. I also feel very pressured (in a good way!) to do my utmost to bring the portrait to life. The degree of difficulty is also higher as I am not able to meet and observe my subject. All in all, this type of portrait is a major challenge and, I believe, what this business is all about: illustrating an unforgetable memory.

Paying tribute to fellow artists is something that I hold dearly and that I am trying to make a regular feature on this blog. The artist I would like to introduce today is Juliet Harrison. Juliet is a talented photographer who, like myself, is passionate about the equine world, passionate about portraying it in black and white. Most of the time in our world of art, fine art and photography interact, hold hands and sit along side each other. The question has always been if photography can actually be considered as an art form? It is the easiest medium to use but the hardest medium in which to establish a specific style, a physicality. It is my belief that photography becomes and should be considered an art form once a photographer has established a clear footprint. Once a photographer has managed to give his or her work a signature. Juliet Harrison’s work qualifies. Her black and white images define her vision. A vision which she has signed and made her own. A vision through...

OK so the challenge was put out: draw from a given ref photo in 2 hours and than show the result. I rose to it. This sketch "Sketched Youth" is the result of 1 hour and 20 minutes fast loose drawing. I used sepia and brown charcoal..not the best sight in the world but such a major breakthrough out of my comfort zone. I may even do another one and who knows it might improve. Cheers

Here is Reflected..a little stepping stone in my figurative art. A drawing studying a childhood fascination with reflections, reflections of all kind. I tried to bring emphasis to the reflected image as opposed to only the little girls curly locks. Framing it with lines and using subtle contrast, the viewer is drawn to trying to imagine the little girls expression, the look in her eyes. I used the really smooth Mellotex paper and spent a long time rendering the darks. The smoothness of the paper really gave a nice texture to the window pane. Lessons in patience and technique have been learned and my fingers are itching to get back up to the drawing board. Back soon but in the mean time all the best

All sorts of reasons have brought me to want to mention the artists whose work I admire and whose work is really too good not to mention. These artists all have a direct influence on my work or way of working and are helping me become the best artist I can. This is why would like you to discover the phenomenal work of Mike Sibley. When you think of pencil you automatically think sketches, drafts, layouts but there is a great deal more to pencil, to the art of graphite than you could ever think possible. One of the best in the business is Mike Sibley . Look and study his work and you will be mesmerized (in my case inspired). His eye for detail and sharp controlled use of pencils is just plain stunning. Specialising over the years in drawing dogs, he has brought every canine race to life. The realism achieved is uncanny, extraordinary. Trial and error have enabled him to fully understand all the intricacies of both pencil and paper. By mastering his technique to perfection...

Ok, so my last entry was a couple of weeks ago and my mood a little frustrated. Things have evolved and my mood calmer. Half term is over and the girls back in school. Today was my first day back at the drawing board after a week of "family management". My new piece "reflected" is nearing completion and will be out in the open in a couple of days time. It has been a very difficult drawing where I have been tackling hair, wavy silky fine hair. Before posting I want to tweak it and add the little "oomph" that is missing. I am quite excited as it is something very new for me. Another mile stone so to speak. Oh and before I sign off here is another great blog to check out. Empty Easel full of brilliant advice and some great articles and resources for art lovers and artists alike.