Canine Portraits

>> Sunday, March 20, 2011

I finally finished another piece of artwork that I've been working on, off and on, for the last several weeks in my spare moments. Presenting Toby:

Does he look familiar to anybody? In case you can't quite place the face, try looking here. He's faithful friend and walking companion to wonderful Adirondack Naturalist blogger Ellen. Ellen, thanks so much for the opportunity to draw Toby. He's just so darn cute!

I have started doing a few commissioned pet portraits here and there, and it's great fun. After all, my favorite subjects are always critters of one sort or another. They've been a good challenge, both in how to capture canine personality in pastels, and also in how to work with tricky lighting and angles. This is Sandy, who I drew a few weeks ago:

Now to go clean all the pastels off my person... oops, and off my keyboard too.

5 comments:

Ellen Rathbone March 20, 2011 at 6:36 PM: Look - you even gave Toby a smile! :) Can't wait to see it in person - thank you so much!
Anonymous March 21, 2011 at 12:09 PM: Hello,

I just had a question about your website, woodswomanextraordinaire.blogspot.com , and found it fun and interesting! If you could e-mail me back at alexandraklip@gmail.com, I would love to talk with you.

Thank you for your time,
Alexandra Klippert
Louise March 23, 2011 at 9:04 PM: Who could not recognize Toby? What a cutie he is. Where is that wonderful woodland path that is your new header. What fun it must have been to walk it.
Holly March 24, 2011 at 3:41 PM: Louise, the woodland path in my header is the Quoddy Head State Park in Lubec, Maine. It is one of the most magical spots I have ever been. All the fogs on that point of land have made the woods into a lush, mossy, lichenous fairyland, and the coastal views and bogs are enchanting. I highly recommend it, should you ever feel inclined to head to the easternmost point in the US!
Kritter Keeper at Farm Tails March 29, 2011 at 11:24 PM: i so love your talented work! if you would like to email me your rates please do! thanks for listing my blog on your sidebar. i will be glad to return the favor. if you have time i would be honored to have you as my follower. thanks so much! farmtails@gmail.com