It's December 8th and I've been drawing like CRAZY for the past few weeks! It's wonderful to be so busy with commissions, and I'd love to thank the people who have asked me to help with their Christmas gifting this year.
Anybody who knows me, knows how much I love showing off my work, so it's just driving me CRAZY that I can't post any of the beautiful pieces of work that I've finished so far.
A brief update though, on what I've been doing so far.
The portrait of an adorable West Highland White Terrier has been picked up, complete with frame, by a very happy niece. That's one lucky aunt who is getting a drawing of her lovely little girl!
The next portrait picked up was more than just a portrait of a dog. It's a memory of a special time spent out on the water in their sailboat. The dog is front and centre, lounging, but alertly watching passers-by. The person who commissioned it was completely thrilled with the finished work. It's exactly what she'd been hoping for! It's a gorgeous drawing and I'm going to be so proud to show it off to everybody!!
The next portrait, nearly complete, is a beautiful little shih tzu with the loveliest eyes. He's a Christmas gift from a pair of loving daughters to their mom. I can hardly wait for their reaction. :D
The final portrait is a two-some of pit bulls. Sadly, only one of them is still around, so it's going to be a bittersweet memory of the other one. I've been sketching him while waiting for the owner of the dogs to send me a higher resolution photograph of the other, and I'm getting such a happy feeling whenever I look at his picture. He's intently watching the toy that the photographer was holding, but his body language is so relaxed while his eyes are so intent. Still, he's got sweet eyes and I'm sure, from the other photos I've seen of him, that he was a real cuddler.
Time to rock. I'll be posting photographs of the finished portraits as soon as I possibly can!
In the meanwhile, have fun getting ready for the holiday season!
~ Chris
Thursday, December 8, 2011
Thursday, November 10, 2011
Vienna, the adorable Dachshund
The wedding date has come and gone, the gift has been gifted, and I can FINALLY post a photo of the graphite drawing of this absolutely beautiful little dog!
As you see, her ear is flipped up in the photograph. The lady who commissioned the drawing asked if I could flip it back down. Because I didn't have any actual photographs of how her ear would look in that position (it was a wedding gift), I had to improvise. While I prefer to not make up bits and pieces for my portraits, I think it worked out pretty well.
*sigh* What a cute pose! I love it!
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| Graphite, 8 x 10" |
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| The original photograph |
As you see, her ear is flipped up in the photograph. The lady who commissioned the drawing asked if I could flip it back down. Because I didn't have any actual photographs of how her ear would look in that position (it was a wedding gift), I had to improvise. While I prefer to not make up bits and pieces for my portraits, I think it worked out pretty well.
*sigh* What a cute pose! I love it!
Friday, October 21, 2011
DA Agility Trial... combined photos for this portrait
So I'm hard at work again. Just finished a gorgeous portrait of a little dog. It's a wedding gift from somebody, so I have to wait until AFTER the recipients have seen it before posting pictures! It'll be worth it. I PROMISE!! It's so darned adorable!!!
I'm going to be working on another special gift as soon as things are finalized. I've been figuring and sketching, and I'm almost at the "let's start drawing" stage. I just need to chat with the "boss."
I'm nearly finished with a drawing of my own. As some of you know, I have been the photographer at the NADA Agility Trials held in September and October of this year. Through the process, I discovered that my Nikon D50 camera can take up to a 2G SD card! This is fantastic news, as it frees me up from the need to dash back and forth from the field to the computer to download the pictures between each event. I'm not getting any younger, and I have to say that the activity is keenly felt the following day.
The picture I've been working on is from a pair of photos. In one, the cute little chihuahua is leaping over a jump bar. The second photograph shows the same little guy after he's jumped through the tire jump.
Now take a look at what I've done with these photographs!
I'm still working on it, but I thought I'd show you how it's going.
Input, anybody? :D
I'm going to be working on another special gift as soon as things are finalized. I've been figuring and sketching, and I'm almost at the "let's start drawing" stage. I just need to chat with the "boss."
I'm nearly finished with a drawing of my own. As some of you know, I have been the photographer at the NADA Agility Trials held in September and October of this year. Through the process, I discovered that my Nikon D50 camera can take up to a 2G SD card! This is fantastic news, as it frees me up from the need to dash back and forth from the field to the computer to download the pictures between each event. I'm not getting any younger, and I have to say that the activity is keenly felt the following day.
The picture I've been working on is from a pair of photos. In one, the cute little chihuahua is leaping over a jump bar. The second photograph shows the same little guy after he's jumped through the tire jump.
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| Hopping over the jump bar |
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| Just finished the tire jump |
Now take a look at what I've done with these photographs!
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| Jumping through the tire jump |
I'm still working on it, but I thought I'd show you how it's going.
Input, anybody? :D
Monday, October 10, 2011
Happy Thanksgiving, Everybody!
I'm hanging out in the living room this morning, thankful for the events that I've participated in lately because of all the wonderful people I met as a result. I'm also thankful that I don't actually have to go anywhere or do anything non-Turkey related today! It's nice to just sit and relax. ... wait... I have to finish vacuuming the upstairs... well, AFTER that, I can sit and relax!
So, what have I been up to lately? Well, the Wedding Show at the Sheraton Hotel was my "big" event and I'm thinking of what to say to get in touch with the brides who registered with the show. Just a little "Hi, how are ya, do you remember meeting me and loving my work and wouldn't it be great to have a special piece of artwork to commemorate your wedding, etc etc..." If you're one of them, you'll soon be hearing from me.
The last two Sundays were spent here in beautiful Torbay at the Farmer's Market at the Kinsmen Centre on Bauline Line. It was a much smaller venue, but it was so wonderful to visit with some of the people I know from the area! I had the chance to meet with the other vendors during the lulls, sampling their food (Shalimar, la Doyene, Outport Fudge... ) and admiring their wares...
I'll be attending the Healthy Living show at the Sheraton the Sunday after this one, (October 23rd). Spread the word!
I've been working on a piece of artwork during the past week, and the little darling dog is so nearly done! Just a few more tonal value changes, then a day of intense "Looking" and presto! Done!! It's so exciting. :D
The drawing of Casey, the "Cat in the Window" was picked up yesterday at the Farmer's Market. Kerry and the girls were so happy with the work. I had started it as a graphite piece, but thanks to the un-asked for attentions of my little guy, Igor, I had to start over again. This time, I drew it in coloured pencil. Just as beautiful, but in a different way.
Because my portraits actually belong to the people who commission the work, I have to resort to borrowing the artwork. However, I did draw a few pieces just for me to keep. Some of those were remarked on during the past couple of weeks. Somebody suggested that I make prints of those and sell them. I wonder if that's just a pipe dream or if it would actually work... I must look into that.
Just out of curiosity, if you're reading this, perhaps you could take a look at my finished portraits and tell me which, of all of them, you'd be interested in owning if it were available. Not a "specifically yours" portrait, but a copy of one of the completed ones. More will be upcoming, so keep an eye out and mention them as you think of it. I'll be asking... but bear it in mind as a possibility.
Another suggestion made was to do some sort of landscape scene that I could have scanned and printed. So, what sorts of things can you suggest? Out of all the "touristy" photographs you've seen, and there are so many of them, which would you like to see as a hand-drawn piece of artwork?
The Five Sisters? ... c'mon... give me your thoughts.
I'm also wondering about some miniatures of wildflowers and such that we take for granted as we walk along the trails...
Well, the pie smells like it's nearly done and that means it's time to stuff the turkey and tuck it in the oven for *ahem* safekeeping.
Happy Thanksgiving!
So, what have I been up to lately? Well, the Wedding Show at the Sheraton Hotel was my "big" event and I'm thinking of what to say to get in touch with the brides who registered with the show. Just a little "Hi, how are ya, do you remember meeting me and loving my work and wouldn't it be great to have a special piece of artwork to commemorate your wedding, etc etc..." If you're one of them, you'll soon be hearing from me.
The last two Sundays were spent here in beautiful Torbay at the Farmer's Market at the Kinsmen Centre on Bauline Line. It was a much smaller venue, but it was so wonderful to visit with some of the people I know from the area! I had the chance to meet with the other vendors during the lulls, sampling their food (Shalimar, la Doyene, Outport Fudge... ) and admiring their wares...
I'll be attending the Healthy Living show at the Sheraton the Sunday after this one, (October 23rd). Spread the word!
I've been working on a piece of artwork during the past week, and the little darling dog is so nearly done! Just a few more tonal value changes, then a day of intense "Looking" and presto! Done!! It's so exciting. :D
The drawing of Casey, the "Cat in the Window" was picked up yesterday at the Farmer's Market. Kerry and the girls were so happy with the work. I had started it as a graphite piece, but thanks to the un-asked for attentions of my little guy, Igor, I had to start over again. This time, I drew it in coloured pencil. Just as beautiful, but in a different way.
Because my portraits actually belong to the people who commission the work, I have to resort to borrowing the artwork. However, I did draw a few pieces just for me to keep. Some of those were remarked on during the past couple of weeks. Somebody suggested that I make prints of those and sell them. I wonder if that's just a pipe dream or if it would actually work... I must look into that.
Just out of curiosity, if you're reading this, perhaps you could take a look at my finished portraits and tell me which, of all of them, you'd be interested in owning if it were available. Not a "specifically yours" portrait, but a copy of one of the completed ones. More will be upcoming, so keep an eye out and mention them as you think of it. I'll be asking... but bear it in mind as a possibility.
Another suggestion made was to do some sort of landscape scene that I could have scanned and printed. So, what sorts of things can you suggest? Out of all the "touristy" photographs you've seen, and there are so many of them, which would you like to see as a hand-drawn piece of artwork?
The Five Sisters? ... c'mon... give me your thoughts.
I'm also wondering about some miniatures of wildflowers and such that we take for granted as we walk along the trails...
Well, the pie smells like it's nearly done and that means it's time to stuff the turkey and tuck it in the oven for *ahem* safekeeping.
Happy Thanksgiving!
Wednesday, September 28, 2011
I've been giving it some thought...
Why would people want to commission a hand-drawn Portrait when they can just get a photograph?
Well, here's just a few ideas!
*** Weddings *** Birthdays *** Proms *** Graduations *** Births
Pregnancy *** Christenings *** Family Reunions *** Sports Moments
I still do pet portraits! I'd never give that up!!! But there's just so many other possibilities to explore and I'd LOVE to talk to you about your ideas.
Well, here's just a few ideas!
- It makes a unique and thoughtful gift ... (gift certificates are available!)
- Consider a hand-drawn portrait as a complement to your wedding photography!
- What about a beautiful one-of-a-kind engagement picture?
- How about a unique embellishment to your wedding invitations?!
- Remember: The traditional First wedding anniversary gift is Paper!
- Celebrate the special moments in your life!
*** Weddings *** Birthdays *** Proms *** Graduations *** Births
Pregnancy *** Christenings *** Family Reunions *** Sports Moments
- Revive your parents' or grandparents' precious wedding photos with a bold modern statement
- Bride and Mother *** Bride and Grandmother
- What about your mother as a bride together with you as a bride?!
I still do pet portraits! I'd never give that up!!! But there's just so many other possibilities to explore and I'd LOVE to talk to you about your ideas.
Saturday, September 24, 2011
Cat in the Window
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| The finished piece. Coloured pencil |
Kerry says that he likes to spend his time napping here, so they call him the Cat in the Window.
Sadly, Casey passed away only 2 days after the family picked up his portrait. One of the girls set up a "shrine" for him. His collar, some pictures of him, the portrait. They really loved their little guy. :(
Thursday, September 15, 2011
Bride
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| Original b/w photo |
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| Step 1 |
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| Step 2 |
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| Step 3 |
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| Step 4 |
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| Step 5 |
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| 8 hours so far... |
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| The Bride |
Well, as far as the b/w goes, she's done! However, IF I decide to add colour to the flowers, and the fall colours are gorgeous, I'll be able to add them in later. Decisions, decisions.
This portrait was done specifically for the Wedding Show. It's an 8"x10" portrait, worth $300. It's pretty intense work! Usually I'll sit down to work for 20 minutes and come up for air 2 hours later. I've started logging the time spent so I get a better idea of how much time I'm spending per portrait. Sometimes I really don't want to know how much time has passed!
Stretching is a necessity!!
Thank you so much, Linda, for allowing me to use your very gorgeous wedding photo for this project.
~ Christine Norman, of Charmed by Christine - Pet Portraits
(More than just pets!)
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