ON THE EASEL
On this page you will find the project I am working on at the moment.
It is also gives clients a chance to see their commissioned portrait developing.
Latest commission - 6 little dogs all in one portrait, a challenge indeed!
Actually, my first challenge will be getting good photos of all 6......
First part over, hundreds of photographs taken over 2 sessions - those little dogs never want to see me with a camera again, they were exhausted from posing.
Here they are:
Archie Belle Charlie
Elvis Priscilla Harry
The "mock" portrait.
THE INITIAL SKETCH
I have changed from the mock example slightly by bringing the dogs in more together. When I started sketching I realised it was nicer to make them a unit rather than heads 'hovering' independently. This way they will flow from one to another.
Charlie is the first dog that I have started working on. Am actually working from quite a few different photos for him.
I always start from top left, so if you look at his left ear and downwards this is where I am working; the rest is still at the rough sketch stage.
The lady who commissioned this portrait doesn't want him to look too sad; unfortunately in most of his photos he does look a bit forlorn.
In this particular breed I think it is because the mouth is slightly downturned plus the fur emphasises the downward direction even more - will have to work on sparkling eyes to compensate!
In the original photo his head is more tilted but I have straightened it so he doesn't look quite so worried. At the moment he still looks concerned but the right eye and mouth aren't done at all yet, when they are done hopefully he will look cute and alert.
Still working downwards, geeting the basic shading in place.
All the basics are now in place, I will move onto the fine detail.
Charlie finished, though I will double check him again when all the other dogs are in place. Now onto Belle.
First sketech of Belle. She will be much easier than Charlie as I have a good photo of her.
The basics of Belle complete.
The finished Belle; though I will check her again when the other dogs are complete.
Moving onto Archie, this is the initial sketch.
Am looking forward to drawing Archie as he has such a soft and gentle look on his face.
Archie after having found the light and shade
Adorable Archie finished. Now onto Elvis.
Elvis initial sketch.
Elvis finished. I love the bit of hair that is falls over his eye !
Now moving onto Harry.
Harry's initial sketch.
Just to give an idea how the overall portrait is looking.
Harry having found the light and shade.
Harry finished and Priscilla started.
Priscilla finished.
All 6 are now almost complete, just going back now and double checking.
