Starting something new

Didn’t quite manage to finish the horse drawing as it got to the point where I was having to force myself to work on it and my motivation just wasn’t there. When I start looking for things to do after only 10 or 15 minutes of drawing, it’s best I put whatever I am working on to one side and start something new - this way I don’t end up rushing to finish it and possibly ruining it in the process. Hopefully I can go back to my horse at a later date with fresh eyes and renewed enthusiasm.

I’ve been thinking for some time now about doing a small series of Labrador drawings and paintings and it was really a case of finding the right reference material before I could make a start. A friend of mine has a gorgeous black lab and I was able to photograph him while visiting recently – not the easiest colour of dog to take photos of but got a few good ones for me to work with and I don’t have to go far should I need more. So now I have my references I can begin!

Thought I’d start with a pencil drawing (no surprise there then:))

A Work in Progress
Copyright Laura Hardie 2010

There are a couple of exhibitions coming up that I want to enter work into this year so need to start looking into these and filling out the various entry forms. Then of course there is the question of what drawings/paintings to enter so I’d better get organised!

Studio updates

Contemplation
Pencil, 26.5cm x 33cm
Copyright Laura Hardie 2010

Note to self – I REALLY must stop neglecting my blog! Once again I find myself falling behind with posts and, short of laziness, there’s really no excuse for it.

As you can see from the above photo, my lab is now finished and is currently at the printers as I write, along with Black on White and Seriously!, ready to be made into Limited Edition Prints. After wasting many hours, paper and ink I decided that graphite was just too difficult to scan and print myself and that it was best left to the professionals!

I’m also delighted to say that two of my drawings, Anticipation and Daydreamer, have made it onto a gallery wall and can be seen at the Stockbridge Gallery in Hampshire. The Stockbridge Gallery specialises in dog art and I feel privileged to be amongst some great artists there.

I plan to keep adding to my collection of dog drawings but do want to include other animals along the way. So to start, I’m currently working on a horse that’s not too far from completion now – actually the more I look at it the more I can see that needs doing so it could take a bit longer than I think! I’ve included a couple of progress shots.

Work in Progress
Copyright Laura Hardie 2010

Labrador

A Work in Progress
Copyright Laura Hardie 2010

If I were to choose a favourite breed of dog to draw I think the Labrador would come out tops ……. just! There are many breeds I love to portray but I definitely have a huge soft spot for Labs. I’m currently working on a drawing of one who seems to be enjoying a quiet moment to herself, lost in her own world of doggie thoughts. A bit like me at the minute with having so many things in my life to sort out and make decisions on – lots of moments where I am deep in thought, planning what best to do next.

There’s not too much left do on this drawing but enough that I may have to leave it to start something new and go back to it at a later date as I think I need a bit of a change. You can see a couple of progress shots on my Facebook page.

I had a great day out at the Royal Highland Show with my daughter (and camera:)) on Friday and, as always seems to be the case when I go there, have come away inspired – this time to do lots of paintings! I still have a couple of pencil drawings I want to do but I’ll definitely be dusting off my brushes after that.

Sandy

Sandy
8'x6' Coloured Pencil
Copyright Laura Hardie 2010

Sandy is now finished awaiting approval. I think my main problem with working this size (apart from my pencils needing to be that bit sharper:)) was getting used to it looking so small compared to other drawings I have sitting around – my Weim for one, his head is huge in comparison.

Saying this, it’s still a good portrait size and I’ve found I actually like working smaller. Just as well really as I’m now planning my entry to the Canine Art Guild members show where works are to be 5’x5’.

Labrador

I’ve put my Weim to one side to make a start on this small drawing of Sandy, a lovely yellow Lab. I say ‘small’ as this is only 8’x6’ and I don’t normally do anything smaller than 10’x8’ – until now.

Labradors have to be one of my favourite breed of dogs and definitely one of my favourite to draw.

Sandy
A Work in Progress
Copyright Laura Hardie 2010

Something quick(ish)

'The Look'
8x8 inches, Pencil on paper
Copyright Laura Hardie 2009

Another graphite drawing except this time I set myself a challenge – to complete it in 4 hours or less. I can easily spend up to 6 times longer than this normally on a drawing (coloured pencil even longer) but I wanted this one to be more of a sketch. This meant of course leaving out a lot of the detail that I love putting in and, as it turned out, couldn’t completely leave out. It’s almost as if my hand has a mind of it’s own:)

I wouldn’t call the finished portrait a sketch as such although it is much ‘looser’ (for want of a better word) than I would normally do – maybe a ‘refined sketch’? I failed to complete it within the time I set myself and took 5 hours 15 minutes instead – oh well, there’s always the next one and there will be more.

Labradors finished

Raven and Sam
16X12 Coloured Pencil
Copyright Laura Hardie 2009

Here they are, Raven and Sam together, albeit a day later than promised - blogger was playing up yesterday and wasn’t letting me upload any photos as it does periodically.

I’ve thoroughly enjoyed working on this portrait and will miss looking at their faces every day. Next up on the drawing board is a greyhound with a difference.

Labradors - stage 3

Raven

Raven is now finished, minus some whiskers that I will add at the end once Sam is in the portrait. Talking of which - this is the stage I am at just now with him.

Sam - stage 1

I am just loving their faces and the longer I look at them, the more I want one.

Labradors - stage 2

Raven - stage 2

How could you refuse those eyes? I don’t know what captured his attention or what he was patiently waiting for but I’m sure he got it looking like that.

Not much more to do – all going well I should have Raven finished tomorrow and I can make a start on Sam.