Black on Grey on White

The fifth Canine Art Guild online exhibition is now live...! " Helping Paws 2008 " is now online! A wide and varied display of dog art can be viewed (and the best: all is for sale! Definately worth a visit!). Each and every artist entered has pledge to donate proceeds of their sales to a  shelter or charity of their choice. Well worth a visit. Here is one of my three entries " Close to Home " "Close to home" Mixed media (graphite/charcoal) on paper, 20x20 cm 200 Euros (20% donated to DCGR) This is the best place for any dog: out in the open, on a long lead, beside its loved ones (not only one pair of legs but two!) discovering new sights and sounds. This black lab is well surrounded and at peace with its life.  Through my art I would like to heighten the awareness of how these gorgeous, quiet and loyal canines are in dire need of a warm safe bed of a good home. The Dumfriesshire & Cumbria is a Scottish charity focused on re-homing retired or abandon...

Welcome back to the sequel in the creation of my Greyhound portrait . After a good-night's sleep, I carried on by tackling the connection between girls and dog (see close-up of stage 4). This meant I had to ignore her hand.(- always a good idea to back-off until the frustration dies down). A quick recap on the material used: Mellotex paper Derwent graphite pencil 2B, 3B and 8B Staedler clutch pencil F and 2H Chamois leather Blu-Tack (kneadable eraser) The great thing with this piece is that it seemed to take shape from the very start and flowed easily all the way through. For stage 4 I used my clutch pencil filled with F to render the girls features and skin. Light strokes are then blended with a chamois leather, this is repeated until the right effect is achieved. Her eye was drawn with my 2B Derwent. No blending Close up on stage 4. Here the tongue and the connection between the dog and the girl has to be established.   Her hair was drawn with a 3B. No blending just layering.   S...

I have made good progress with my new project. I am, as usual, up against the clock and have very little time left.  The entries are due on the 19 th . Here are two more steps in the process. My biggest challenge here is to get the hand right...smooth, soft and young yet showing strength -holding on tightly enough to not let go.  If the look and feel of the hand does not work out it will break the whole piece.... I have spent quite a long time on it and I am still not happy... Will sleep on it....  Need a little bit of "shut-eye". Sweat dreams.

Robert is now officially finished. After week "away", I brought him out for a tweak and he has now gone back to safety with a new improved pair of ears ( I do believe lookin much happier for it!).   He's has also been priced and entered into the show:   Helping Paws 2008.   " Robert " Graphite on Paper, 26x23 cm $ 350 (20% donated to DCGR ) Have a great week-end.

One week later and, at last,  Robert is looking more like an alert greyhound. I will put him out of sight for a few days and polish him later on next week. This is my first portrait for the CAG's next online show : Helping Paws 2008 Exhibition.   The idea behind the show is to have each artist pledge a percentage of their sales in support of an animal welfare effort.  I would like to help and support the Dumfriesshire and Cumbria Greyhound Rescue I have fallen for these gorgeous, gentle and loyal canines and have chosen to donate 20% from my sale of this piece to this specific Greyhound Rescue.   Dumfriesshire and Cumbria Rescue is the only greyhound re-homing in the Dumfries & Galloway and Cumbria region. They are a young dynamic charity and have found homes for over 450 greyhounds in 6 years. I am planning on having three ready for the show. "Helping Paws 2008" goes on line on October the 1st 2008 for 4 months.  Tomorrow's Monday: first day of school. After w...