SQUEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!

Time Out
Pencil, 37cm x 27cm

Copyright Laura Hardie 2012

Hope everyone had a lovely Christmas. Was a quiet, but very enjoyable one for me and the kids but now it’s back to work. Well it should have been had I not received THE best email that saw me jumping about the place with excitement all morning! Think I have calmed down enough now to share my good news with you and might even get some work done this afternoon. My drawing ‘Time Out’ has been awarded 1^st place, that’s 1^st place, in the Drawing Category of the Art Horse Magazines International Equine Art Competition, Ex Arte Equinus VI. Not only this, another of my entries ‘Pep Talk’ has been accepted into the show.

This is the first time I have entered work into this competition so to say I am excited really is an understatement and I’m still trying to take it all in. You could say it’s made my day, especially when you see the standard and quality of work from other artists in previous years shows. They are still available to view on the Art Horse Magazine website should you be interested. Well worth a look.

This years Show should be online sometime in January or February – I will of course (if you hadn't already guessed:)) keep you informed when that, and the book, is out. Now I really must get some work done. 

MERRY CHRISTMAS

Bobby
10''x 8'', Pencil
Copyright Laura Hardie 2012

Christmas has definitely crept up on me this year so everything has been left to the last minute, except cards funnily enough, I had these written and posted ridiculously early for me. But after what has to be the most stressful weekend ever fighting my way through crowds of Christmas shoppers I’ve never seen the likes of before, I can happily say presents are bought, wrapped and under the tree and the fridge and cupboards are full. All that is left for me to do now is hibernate until the New Year - with my pencils and paper of course. I have lots to do and so planning many an hour of me drawing, and very possibly painting, time.

The drawing in todays post was a Christmas commission but one that didn’t quite make it under the tree until the 25^th so I can safely share with you now. It was commissioned by a very thoughtful husband as a present to his wife and is actually one of two portraits, the other of which I will share in my next post.

Before I sign off I’d like to say a huge, heartfelt THANK YOU to all my friends and followers of my blog, for all your support and encouragement you have given me throughout the year – it means such a lot to me. Hope you all have a wonderful Christmas and here’s to a productive and creative 2013 – think it’s going to be a good one! MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE XX

Happy Lab

Black Lab (temporary, unimaginative title)
23cm x 28.5cm, Coloured Pencil on Canson Mi-Teintes

Copyright Laura Hardie 2012

Stayed with Canson paper for this drawing but think I might be extremely, to the point of beyond, fussy because I didn’t enjoy working on this particular sheet nearly as much as the one I used for the Clydesdale! Does that make sense because I’m not sure I get it. Not something I will dwell on, it’s all part of the learning process after all and it certainly hasn’t put me off Canson paper. It's still a paper I am liking very much and I see many a drawing being completed using it. After the chaos that is Christmas that is.

Copyright Laura Hardie 2012

Please do not use images without permission.

Clydesdale

Clydesdale

10.5'' x 12.5''
Coloured Pencil on Canson Mi-Teintes
Original SOLD
Copyright Laura Hardie 2012

Have been doing a lot of catching up with things in general lately and noticed I hadn’t blogged my Clydesdale drawing that I completed back in October. I wanted to do this drawing on coloured paper and found some Canson Mi-Teintes I’ve had stored away that I could use. Actually I have a portfolio packed full of paper I’ve gathered over the years and need to work my way through but I liked the colour of this one. Thought it would complement the horse. Only problem was I have never been a huge fan of Mi-Teintes – it is too ‘toothy’ and not a smooth enough paper for me. Or so I remembered. Turned out it was a joy to work on this time round and I now really like it – will reserve raving that I love it and can’t do without it until I have done a few more drawings first. It’s still a bit of a learning curve and there are things I need to get used to with it.

Delighted to say that ‘Camera Shy’ (see last post), won’t be stored away for ever more in my portfolio after all and is instead making its way to the US and a new home. Not sure if I’ll go down this route of selling a drawing again however as I found people were unsure about what to offer and what was fair. Had some good feedback from it though and twas a lesson learned if anything.

Not long to Christmas now, 17 sleeps is all! Think I might spend the rest of the day decorating the house and putting up the tree. My daughter tells me we are to go ‘‘all out’’ this year with lots of decorations so it might take some time. Should make me feel Christmassy too.

Make an offer......

Camera Shy

16'' x 9'', Coloured Pencil
Copyright Laura Hardie

Having a bit of a clear out at chez Hardie this week and came across this drawing. It’s an old(ish) one having completed it in 2009. I like to think I’ve come some way with my coloured pencils and improved over the years but I still really like this piece – more than enough to put my name to it and offer it for sale. Which is what I have decided to do and you can name the price. Better than keeping it stored away in my portfolio probably never seeing the light of day again, I like it too much for that. 

So, if interested, make me an offer either here on my blog, over on my FB page or by email and it will go to the highest offer. Simple as that and all offers accepted. You have until Wednesday (28^th) to bid after which it will hopefully be making its way to a new home.

The Horse in Art 2012

Yesterday saw the opening of the Society of Equestrian Artists Annual Exhibition at the Menier Gallery in London.

I’ve been promising myself for a good few years that I’d enter work into this exhibition but for one reason or another never quite made it. This year I got there and submitted two of my drawings, ‘On Show’ and ‘Beau’, and was delighted to have both accepted. Had even more good news when I heard that ‘On Show’ sold on the first day in the gallery and will, I believe, be making its way to Australia after the exhibition.

On Show
Pencil, 25cm x 31cm
Copyright Laura Hardie 2012

Beau
Pencil, 10.5'' x 10.5''
Copyright Laura Hardie 2012

The exhibition runs until 1^st December and is well worth a visit if you can make it down there. If not you can view, and purchase, all the wonderful paintings, drawings and sculptures online at the SEA website. I’m still trying to work out a way to get down there before it ends, and remaining hopeful, but have a friend and her camera who will be taking photos for me if I can’t. So I WILL see that red dot one way or another :)

Jaz

Jaz
Pencil, 12'' x 10''
Copyright Laura Hardie 2012

Has it really been that long since my last post *cough*, where does the time go!! 

I’ve been kept busy both behind and away from the drawing board these past weeks, which is always good, and have a few things to share with you. But don’t think I’ll put it all in the same post, could be picture overload if I did. So just a quick post today to say ‘hello’ and to show you Jaz, a gorgeous Lab I had the pleasure of drawing a while back – well beginning of October to be exact, though seems longer now.

Images copyright Laura Hardie 2012

Weim

Seriously!
29cm x 21cm
Pencil on Fabriano Artistico
Copyright Laura Hardie 2012

BUSY week so not managing to get much time, if any, at the drawing board and I have lots to be getting on with too. My boy’s 21 on Friday and a fair bit of organising is going on for that so a good excuse I think for not working. But I have put another drawing on Ebay (see above) and this one is a personal favourite of mine – just love the expression on this Weimaraner. 

Bidding for ‘Seriously!’ ends in 5 days – how can you refuse that face. 

Ella

Ella
10'' x 8''
Coloured Pencil
Copyright Laura Hardie 2012

My latest portrait off the drawing board is Ella, an adorable Cocker Spaniel. Think I’ve drawn more Cocker Spaniels over the years, besides Labradors of course, than any other breed of dog – and that’s lots of curly ears!

Copyright Laura Hardie 2012
Please do not use without permission

Ebay

The Greeting
24cm x 24cm
Graphite Pencil

Thought I would dip my toes into the world that is Ebay. It is something I have considered doing on and off for a long time and if anything, it is a different avenue for me to explore with my drawings. It might work and it might not, nothing lost. So after what felt like forever registering and finding my way about Ebay I now have my first drawing, ‘The Greeting’, listed. And I have bids! Quite exciting this auctioning business but then I do admit to being easily amused :-)

If you fancy placing a bid click here to go to my listing. It’s a great opportunity to own an original at a one off price. Bidding ends in 6 days – go on, you know you want to.

New drawing

Pep Talk
34cm x 22cm
Pencil on Bristol Board
Copyright Laura Hardie 2012

I don’t get a chance to go to the races often but when I do I always have my camera with me ready to take as many photos of the horses as I can in the hope I’ll get some good ones to work from. I don’t have the powerful zoom lenses (yet!) to allow me to get some good action shots of the race itself so spend most of my time at the parade ring. My drawing ‘Pep Talk’ is from one such visit. I started this one back in February, put it to one side while I worked on other drawings, and only got round to finishing it recently.

A quick post to say....

Breagh and Fizz
11.5'' x 16.5''
Coloured Pencil on Fabriano 5
Copyright Laura Hardie 2012

Collies, Breagh and Fizz, are now finished. Going to let the pictures do the talking today as I’m all talked out – that, and I have to take my daughter out driving now. Wish me luck! 

All images copyright Laura Hardie, please don't use without permission.

Collies

Breagh
A Work in Progress
Copyright Laura Hardie 2012

Working on another double portrait, this time Collies and in coloured pencil. Breagh (above) is almost finished. I’ve used a limited number of pencils for Breagh which has been a nice change as normally my desk is overflowing with them and I spend more time looking for a particular colour than I probably do drawing! So you could say it’s been a very organised week for me, at the drawing board anyway.

Copyright Laura Hardie 2012

Labradors

Winnie and Tiber
Pencil, 13"x15.5"
Copyright Laura Hardie 2012

How depressing is this summer turning out to be, she says sitting typing this blog post with the rain pouring down outside again! I know our summers are nothing to write home about but can't remember one with SO. MUCH. SODDING. RAIN! Need a holiday somewhere with lots of sun and blue skies I think - Michelle, if you're reading this, I'm getting more tempted by the day and you may see me (and Jo) yet.

Back to the drawing board. Just finished this pencil drawing of two lovely Labs, Winnie and Tiber. Regular readers of my blog will know that I LOVE Labs and they are definitely one of my favourite breeds to draw - just adore everything about them!

Work in progress
Images copyright Laura Hardie 2012

Please don't use without permission

Hamish

Hamish
10"x8"
Coloured Pencil
Copyright Laura Hardie 2012

One of two drawings I have been working on these past few weeks has been this gorgeous Cocker Spaniel puppy. So many curls for such a little dog but each and every one of them only add to his adorability in my opinion. LOVED drawing him even though I was starting to see curls in my sleep!

Images copyright Laura Hardie 2012

Was really pleased to see that 'Animal Art Adventures' is the featured blog in Julys edition of The COLORED PENCIL Magazine - thank you CPM :-) 

Clydesdale and offer not to miss!

10.5" x 10.5"

Pencil on Bristol Board
Copyright Laura Hardie 2012
Original available - get 20.12% discount off cost if purchased on or before Friday 15th June

Seem to have a bit more time to do things this week and have put it down to not having my adorable daughter around to distract me, clean up or run around after. She’s on holiday with friends and yes, I’m missing her loads (and worrying more) but welcome all this extra time even if it’s not going to last long. I have even managed two blog posts in the space of a week – blog posts being one of the things that more often than not gets pushed further down my list of things to do. Really need to change that! 

Finished the Clydesdale drawing I started back in May but still thinking about a name for it. Have played around with a few but need to give it more thought – as always seems to be the case with me and putting a title to something. You can get 20.12% off the cost of this drawing or any others that I currently have available if you buy within the next few days. The Olympic torch has been making its way around Scotland this week and in celebration of this and the 2012 games I am offering the 20.12% discount. My little celebration because I can :) The offer ends Friday (15^th) so not long to grab yourself a bargain.

Sam

Sam
10" x 8", Coloured Pencil
Copyright Laura Hardie 2012

I had the pleasure of meeting and photographing this handsome boy, above, a few weeks ago. Don’t think he was overly pleased at having his run time continually interrupted by me and my camera but he was ever so good and posed when needed. It’s always nice when I get the opportunity to photograph my ‘models’ in person as it’s not often possible. 

I didn't manage to get a lot of in-progress shots for this drawing unfortunately as my computer is still playing up but here's what I did get.

Copyright Laura Hardie 2012

Stig finished

Stig

34cm x 39cm
Pastel
Copyright Laura Hardie 2012

Lots of blue skies and sun this week so far and, from what I hear, should be around for the rest of the week. I always feel I need to make the most of any sun we get seeing as we don't get nearly enough so it will be a few extended lunches for me I think. Well this could be our summer for all I know and I can always make up my hours away from the drawing board in the evenings. 

My pastel drawing of Stig is now finished, mounted and has been delivered safely. Did I say I loved working on this one? I think I might have once or twice.

Stig

Stig
Pastel on Clairfontaine Pastelmat
A Work in Progress
Copyright Laura Hardie 2012

Working on a pastel portrait of a gorgeous Border Collie called Stig. He loved and excelled at agility so this portrait is all about capturing his drive, concentration and focus.

I agonised over this drawing in one way or another for some time before I even put pastel to paper - just couldn't quite make my mind up on the composition, medium to use or background colour to go for but got there in the end, and I'm really happy with how he is progressing. Many an hour has seen me happily lost in all that fur, very therapeutic! 

Memphis

Memphis
10"x8" 

Coloured Pencil
Copyright Laura Hardie 2012

Had planned a mini tutorial for this post along with a few step-by-step images to go with it – nothing much but it would have shown a little of how I worked on my latest piece and hopefully given you an insight into how I approach a cp drawing but my computer had other ideas. Annoyingly it’s been playing up again crashing at every opportunity, i.e. all the time and always when in the middle of something! So another time it will have to be. The upside to no computer means more much needed drawing time so it’s not all bad. That’s what I keep telling myself anyway.

Vizsla

Vizsla
A Work in Progress
Copyright Laura Hardie 2012

Back to coloured pencils for my latest drawing – it’s been a while, or at least seems like it, since I’ve drawn anything with them. And what better subject to get back into them with than a Vizsla. Beautiful dogs!