Black on Grey on White

Mention "big black fluffy Newfoundlands" you can be sure you are referring to cuteness overload :D This, a big mixed media (graphite and charcoal) drawing of mother and son Newfoundland pooches, was created in stages.  The most important stage: deciphering shapes through bundles of deep black fur.  Once the noses, ears and eyes were pin pointed and sketched in: the real scribbling began.   The final stage involved a layer of Nitram charcoal to create more oomph and depth. William & Nikita graphite/charcoal on paper 41x50cm SOLD Loved discovering and developing a new approach to my work and the best... the unequaled feeling of success! Next up on the board: equine with a somewhat shorter coat ;)

After 8 weeks of giving them all the cold shoulder, I warmed up my scribble friends and got tucked into a new compositionally unusual dog portrait. The reason threefold: I hadn't drawn a dog for ages wanted a break from the traditional head portrait Couldn't resist those wee eyes. The result threefold: pencil shavings on the floor once again back in the groove new drawing on the board What's Up 21 x 29 cm Pencil on Paper Available  Up next a horse, a beautiful bay stallion. Back soon ....

Born into a world that did not want him, this wee chap’s fate changed. He can now be found frolicking around the daily life of his new warm and loving forever home.  His cuteness and adorability reaping smiles, hourly. A joy to be around, a joy to draw. Meet Nemo ... Nemo Pencil on Paper, 32x27 cm Sold Sheona Hamilton-Grant. All rights reserved

The "Christmas Secrecy Act" is lifted (and has been for the last few weeks...wee bit behind again whoops!) Christmas commissions #1 is the handsome Gizmo. A great big chocolate lab with a lovely nature. A beautiful subject to render, my pencils had no problems getting dug in with gusto and enjoying all the details from his vivid eyes all the way down to the small wave in his coat. "Gizmo" 44x25 cm Pencil on Paper Sold Sheona Hamilton-Grant. All rights reserved

Un-obliviously (nice new word don't you think?) I choked my right arm. Let me translate: Blind to the weight and size of my files I fed my computer way too much ...to saturation...to crash down. Result: a disaster and a massive wake up call! All work is now backed-up on DVD's and allowing one of my most important tools to breath again. Big fresh breaths of IT air. In the chaos and "restructuring" I realised I never showed you a portrait of the late "Bracken". Bracken was a rescue and a canine that found a 5 star life with a great couple. After a tough start, he discovered what it is to be the beneficiary of a good life, of a life filled with canine luxuries and surrounded by love. "Bracken" Pencil on Paper 19x21 cm SOLD

The Canine Art Guilds' 4th online exhibition, "Canine Pot Luck," is now online at www.canineartguild.com/gallery . The show is essentially an artists' choice, and there is a beautiful selection of artwork by CAG members. There's also cash prizes for People's Choice, so please, stop by and cast your vote!! ( This is my very subtle hint for you to look out for my 3 entries...!) Seriously the work is great and picking any one piece to vote for is pretty darn tough. The CAG is made up of artists from around the world, artists who love to draw, paint, scultp, photograph and study canine subjects, artists of all levels, working in all mediums, producing work of all shape and sizes. It is quickly becoming the place to find quality canine art on the web. Have a wee look and see if I'm wrong...(I know you'll like the selection .!) Ciao for now

Fellow artist, rephrase that super talented fellow artist Laura Hardie had this on her blog a few days ago. I gave it a shot et voila.... Museum quality... I bet nobody thought graphite could look so good so big!!!! Dreams can come true so I am told.... Back off to the drawing board make that dream board. p.s: if you want to give it a go yourselves this link will get you there.

Here are the first steps of my new piece "What's on the table". Inspiration for the piece is taken from a photo I took last summer. Layout is first sketched in, the tones and values established, the work starts.  5B and 2B pencil used for the dog and HB and 2H used for the table.  A total of 12 hours work.  The table was drawn first as it a major player in the composition. The first dog is finished and just needs a little tweaking...