Sunday, June 26, 2016

Gift Certificate Donated to No Dog Gets Left Behind

No Dog Gets Left Behind provides financial support to reunite military personnel with the stray animals they found and bonded with while at war.  The cost of $4,500-per-pet includes vaccines, medical treatment, transportation and more. While the financial investment is high, the relief, comfort and joy this program provides soldiers is immeasurable.

 


I donated a Gift Certificate as an auction item to the foundation’s annual Valentine Fund Raiser.    It was a fun evening of music, food, drinks, and several won incredible raffle prizes, all while helping our military personnel reunite with the stray dogs they found and bonded with while at war.  Several of the soldiers attended along with their dogs.

 

I applaud the hard work and dedication of everyone involved in the foundation.   I was honored to be a part of this wonderful event.

 

The WINNER of the Pet Portrait from Photos Gift Certificate sent these photos of Poochie & Duke


"Poochie" - lived an amazing 22 years.  She was a mutt (mix of Shepard, huskie and no one know what else) Her left ear was bent down (as you can see in the pictures) also her left eye was half brown half blue.....she was one of a kind and 

 

                                                    


"Duke" - adorable and missed so very much.  I loved Betty White's quote - "Once someone has had the good fortune to share a true love affair with a Golden Retriever, one's life and one's outlook is never quite the same.


                                             


"Poochie & Duke"  -  artwork is 11 x 14 graphite on watercolor paper.    A Timeless Treasure !  

                     

             

Sunday, August 2, 2015

Dachshunds - The Birthday Party!


"Tucker & Wigley"   

Dressed for the big day! 

Owner commissioned the artwork as a birthday present for his wife and provided these two photographs.  The artwork measures 14" wide by 11" high.   I draw on Arches Watercolor 140lb Hot Press Paper

Totally adorable !   Love the bow ties! 
I drew the dogs from photo one above and used the second photo as a reference for the bow ties. 

Remember clothes, toys, collars and tags are always FREE to add to any portrait. 

Please like and share with your family & friends! 

Call today for more information 610-613-3535   



Friday, July 24, 2015

Trooper

labrador portrait in pencil Creating "Trooper"  



Trooper's mom contacted me after finding me on google.  She sent two photos and within one hour we confirmed the commission.   

Here's the original photo of Trooper.  
 



I was able to crop and lighten the photo to create this Sample #1.  

 After some discussion we decided to include the collar and name tag.   My client emailed a photo of Trooper's tag so I could see the design:


The drawing begins!!!!!!   


pencil portrait of lab


Trooper's Portrait

Labrador pencil drawing

Sue N 
I was looking for a pencil portrait of my 2 year old chocolate lab, Trooper. I contacted Debbie, she responded quickly to answer my questions and pick out a photo to work from. I received my portrait when promised, and I just love it!

Sunday, July 12, 2015

Holy Chihuahuas ! Here's Gidget & Honey



My subjects today are two chihuahuas.  One long haired and one short haired.   Honey is 10 years old and Gidget is 17.  Below are the photos my client sent. My first thought was - oh this is going to be challenging.  I wondered if I could even work from these photos! 

 My process for reviewing photos is:

a) technically - I like large high resolution clear photos - these photos did not pass that test!
b) lighting - I can work from separate photos, but they do need to 'go together' and / or 'compliment' each other.   The lighting on both is coming from the right.  Both dogs have a 'look' that speaks to me - I'm sweet and you love me more than anything!   These passed that test.
c)  Composition - so how will this look in black and white?  I work in graphite so the contrast is important.  Since Honey is wearing a dark sweater I thought it would be nice to have her on the right with Gidget's white mussel overlapping the sweater.   Okay passed that test.

So, at this point I thought okay let's give it a Go and see how it turns out!. 

Gidget 17 Years
Honey 10 years

Here's the finished artwork.
pet portraits in pencil, pencil drawing of chihuahuas
"Gidget & Honey" 

Monday, July 6, 2015

Group Portraits using several photos

 This family portrait was created from three photographs.   My client sent several photos of each dog.  I reviewed them to find similar positions, lighting and expressions to create "Samples'.   Sometime I'll create four or five sample compositions for my clients to select from.  Here are two from this commission.

Sample #1 
Sample #2 
Here's the completed artwork, 11" h x 14" and drawn are Archers 140# watercolor paper.  See more Family Portraits in my online Gallery

black Labrador and Australian shepherd portraits in pencil
"Raleigh, Scarlette, and Surry"