Black on Grey on White

Currently on the board: a new drawing. Pencils have been scribbling dreamingly and slowly on this new piece. Leaving marks highlighting tenderness, trust and emotion. Technically I wanted to push myself and work big (57x46 cm). Emotionally it's all about pulling off combining that very special contact between horse and man. So far :  one (half-closed) eye and two ears closer to my goal! (Untitled) Pencil on Paper WIP Sheona Hamilton-Grant. All rights reserved.

Sandor 41 x 29 cm pencil on paper. SOLD Sheona Hamilton-Grant. All rights reserved. "My horse is ugly!" These words were said to me a few years ago after the subject of a portrait came up and they  bothered me ... no end. There is no such thing as an ugly horse. Every time my pencils get scribbling they prove it, show the world just how erroneous those words were. Each stroke merging tones, combining strength, proving in black on white the fallacy of this perception. A beautiful chiselled equine face has a “wow factor” but take one, like Sandor (pictured above) shaped out of honesty, wisdom and kindness the “wow factor” is just as big and lands just that little deeper. Underneath the muscle and the power is a mind blowing personality and astuteness that is anything but … ugly!

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

Yeah! 2013 is here ! 2012 was a year in which I believe I stood too still. Enjoying my comfort zone a tad too much... artistically not taking risks, trying too please, my curiosity asleep. 2012 is being archived just after this post. 2013 is when I step FORWARD pick up my pencils out of our snug comfort zone and into a colder  unknown & un-tackled world that we have ignored for too long To prove my point, here's "Touched" my brand new drawing. An amass of verticals and horizontals, stark and dramatic yet soft and tender. A mix of contrast, texture and shapes. A study of both equine and human body language. A little girl lost safely in the world of big gentle equines. " Touched " Pencil on Paper. 57x44 cm. Sheona Hamilton-Grant. 2013 All rights reserved  2013 will be my year of marching FORWARD one focused step at a time. ... left, right, left, right, left, right...

Gently putting my pencils down for this year but not without a wee cheerio, a heap of seasonal greetings and great big THANK-YOU. So many of you have visited my studio blog and showed support throughout another fascinating year.  Looking forward to sharing more of my art world in 2013! Cheery cheers!

A couple of days ago I mentioned, in passing, being a professional graphite artist and a amateur photographer.  This led to: how do I draw the distinction between being a professional artist and an amateur photographer? Now this turns out be a question laden with serious food for thought (and a rather long blog post)! A pro is paid an amateur is not. Rubbish answer. After another quick head rummage, it became clear that this question had a mass of tangents to get lost down and that no straight forward answer would be possible. Let’s go back to the question: how do I draw the distinction between being a professional and an amateur? Let’s see. ·         As a professional artist I draw for money as well as enjoyment.  As an amateur photographer for enjoyment alone. ·       Success, customer satisfaction and results are how I judge my graphite work whereas when I photograph participating is mo...

Still a blogger and still drawing! (If anything I've been scribbling my wee friends blunt!) Been an absolute age and so it is with a "shy hi" that I return to my wee blog. Many drawings have been started (and finished) and until THE  Christmas Present act of secrecy is lifted in January 2013 my posts will have to remain well... limited. However, there is one "on the go" and unaffected by any secrecy act . A drawing all about contrasts, lines and trust. A drawing that big & delicate. A drawing built around memories. "Untitled and still in progress" Pencil on Paper to be continued ...