Thursday, January 14, 2010

Back to work

Starting the year off with another Cocker Spaniel. This is Misty and apparently she is always carrying something in her mouth so what better way to portray her than with one of her balls – as her owner told me ‘it sums her up nicely’. For me though it’s her soulful eyes – I could see me playing ball all day long with her if she gave me a look like this.

Misty
A Work in Progress
Copyright Laura Hardie 2010

Outside it is snowing again – I know we are not suffering nearly as much as in other areas of the UK, but having lived with it for over three weeks now I’ve had enough and just want it all to go away. I need some sun I think:)

11 comments:

"JeanneG" said...

It's turning out gorgeous as usual. She is such a sweet looking dog.

Anonymous said...

Hello, Your'e animal drawing are wonderful!!! If only I could draw my Doberman how wonderful this would be. Can you recommend books ect for me to learn from.
Thank-you so for these drawings it means alot someone who cares!
Have a great day,
Linda

Danielle Feldman said...

I have a soft spot for Cockers and you've captured them all so beautifully!

Suzie White said...

Laura, Your work is so beautiful. I truly don't know how you get your lovely drawings so lifelike. I feel I could reach out and pet them. Thank you for sharing.

Felicity Grace said...

Wow, this looks fantastic! It's interesting that each section is finished before you start the next.

Gillian McMurray said...

This is going to be a gorgeous portrait. I love the ball in Misty's mouth. It's somthing a little different.

geraldine.boley@googlemail.com said...

Beautiful work (as always) Laura, and what a lovely looking dog, such soulful eyes.
Gx

Misty's Owner said...

I love it Laura, it's brilliant - you've captured Misty's expression beautifully.

I'm sure she'd love to play ball with you all day long !

Laura said...

Thank you Jeanne:)

Hi Linda, thank you and welcome to my blog. Now there's a question - what books would I recommend? If I'm being honest I don't think there is a particularly good one out there, that I have read anyway, on drawing animals with coloured pencil. There are however lots of good books on learning coloured pencil techniques such as 'Exploring Coloured Pencil' by Sandra Angelo or 'Coloured Pencil Solution Book' by Janie Gildow and Barbara Newton. Ann Kullbergs books are good - she has just brought out a new one 'Coloured Pencil Secrets for success' where she critiques artists drawings pointing out where they can be improved. You can learn a lot from books like this. Hope this helps.

Thank you Danielle, I agree they are lovely dogs though their ears are too curly for my liking to draw:D

Thank you Suzie, what a great compliment:)

Hi Felicity and thank you:) I've been thinking a lot lately on my technique as I don't think I have one. Some days I concentrate on one area until it is finished and others I jump all over the place doing little bits here and there. Normally though I do say that I will finish one ear for example by the end of the day, another secton by the end of that working day and so on:)

Thank you Gillian:) I like the ball too - as you say it is something that bit different.

Hi Geraldine and thank you too:) She does look gorgeous doesn't she and as for those eyes, well what can I say:)

Hi Colin, thank you for taking the time to comment on my blog and I'm delighted you are happy with how she is progressing:)
I'm surprised you have time to do anything else - how can you refuse those eyes:)

Sue Clinker said...

Oh Dear, so this is no time to mention that we eventually managed to fly out to our home in the Canaries (despite the various plane cancellations).

Honestly though, this is a working holiday and I´ve just painted the spare bedroom and the lounge and have another few days of hard labour before I can enjoy the sunshine :o).

Internet access is sporadic, but I´ve managed to log on tonight and love what you´ve achieve so far here. Look forward to seeing the next stages

Laura said...

Ha,ha, no not a good time to mention your holiday Sue though I am glad you made it out (I did think about you at the time:)) Glad to say snow is disappearing fast here in Edinburgh and I can see some greenery.

Enjoy your holiday and don't work too hard:)