Ruby

'Ruby'
8'x6' Coloured Pencil
Copyright Laura Hardie 2010

Photoshop frustrates me, always has – not being able to understand or master what it can do gets to me from time to time. Like today while trying to correct a terrible scan of the now finished Ruby. Can Photoshop even do that, correct something that wasn’t there to begin with - like add the missing pencil strokes the scanner hasn’t picked up or tone down areas the scanner has chosen to brighten and highlight (like the yellows in this case!). Maybe I’m being too fussy and things like this just bring out the perfectionist in me but I’m really happy with this drawing and only wish you could see what I see.

Off now to see if I can find something to draw in time for the Canine Art Guild Members show.

Another Lab

Its been a busy but non eventful week with one thing or another resulting in very little drawing time. Also spent too much time procrastinating if I’m being honest.

I made a start on Ruby, another yellow lab but much lighter in colour than Sandy, and was able to spend the majority of today with pencils in hand bringing her nearer to completion. I’ve tried to get a good scan of the progress shots but it just wasn’t happening unfortunately – a problem I have with all light coloured dogs it seems.

'Ruby'
A Work in Progress
Copyright Laura Hardie 2010

Like I said, not the best scan but hopefully there's enough there to give you an idea of what she looks like.

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

Feeling uninspired

Weim
A Work in Progress
Copyright Laura Hardie 2010

Why is it when I’m busy on a commission, I want to draw this or paint that but when I have the time to work on my own drawings I am no longer inspired and nothing interests me enough to pick up my pencils? Just like when I have no money to spend I see lots of clothes or art materials with my name on them but when I have money I can’t see anything. Take last week for example, I really wanted to draw a horse but could I find ‘the’ reference photo to work from – no. I spent way too long looking though and still didn’t find it.

I think part of my problem is that I ideally want to start working from photos that I have taken, especially now that exhibitions, shows and competitions are virtually insisting on this, but I’m a novice when it comes to photography and I don’t really have a lot to choose from what I do have.

One of my goals for this year is to ‘learn more about my camera and improve my photography skills’ and this is exactly what I’m going to do, starting from now. To help me I have just signed up for a free DSLR Skills Course – if you're like me and are interested you can find details here – and hopefully by the end of the 6 months I’ll be happily snapping away with my camera and producing photos I’m happy with. If so I should have more than enough reference material to keep me busy, happy and motivated.

I did start a pencil drawing of a Weimaraner, as you can see above, but I’m struggling a bit with enthusiasm to get it finished. Could be a lot to do with the way I am feeling generally about my own work just now, but he wont be binned (I’ve invested too many hours on him to do that and I do like him). He’ll simply be put to one side to finish another time. I like having a pencil drawing on the go that I can do small bits here and there when the mood takes me.

Maddie

Maddie
8'x10' Coloured Pencil
Copyright Laura Hardie 2010

Maddie is now finished and, despite my pencil issues at the start with getting the right colours for her tan markings, I’m pleased with how she has turned out. I always say it’s like getting the right ‘formula’ of pencils:)

I’m really enjoying the close-up portraits and hope to have the opportunity to do a lot more like this in the future - it’s nice to move away from the traditional head study and do something that bit different. The one thing I have found though, after working on both Colin and Maddie, is that they take a lot longer to finish than a head study. This is mainly down to the fact you can see more detail in a close up, so more to put in, and of course more paper is being covered in pencil - both of which take time. Something I need to think about when doing more like this.

Quick update

'Maddie'
A Work in Progress
Copyright Laura Hardie 2010

Made some progress with Maddie, though not as much as I’d have liked thanks to having to ferry my daughter here there and everywhere it seemed lately. Just as I would be about to sit down with pencils in hand I was needed elsewhere. She’s back at school tomorrow so should get this finished in the next couple of days.

Another Cocker

Here are the first stages of Maddie, the last in my run of Cocker Spaniels that I have had the pleasure to draw. She has definitely been the most challenging out of the bunch to get right because of her colouring. I am told she is lemon and white with her ‘lemon’ being more of a light tan colour, which is straight forward enough if you have the right coloured pencils.

This is the one colour that coloured pencil manufacturers either omit from their range or haven’t got right in my opinion so I need to play around with what I have. Lots of experimenting – mainly on scrap paper so as not to ruin my drawing:) Think I’m going in the right direction now which is where you want to be heading.

'Maddie'
A Work in Progress
Copyright Laura Hardie 2010

A Titleless Horse

8"x11" Pencil
Copyright Laura Hardie 2010

Before working on my next commission I wanted to finish off this graphite drawing of a horse I started at the beginning of last year. I’m not sure it was such a good idea though as my right shoulder started to ache while I was working on the background. I remember thinking how I should really stop when I got the first niggling pains but carried on regardless. Big mistake as it turned out - my shoulder was sore for the next few days! As a result there hasn’t been much activity behind the drawing board this past week and what has been done isn’t worth showing at this stage.

I’m currently trying to come up with a title for this piece and open to any suggestions anyone might have.

Colin

'Colin'
8"x10" Coloured Pencil
Copyright Laura Hardie 2010

And he’s finished. Colin is definitely one of those portraits where I could have kept going adding bits here and there where said ‘bits’ wouldn’t actually improve the portrait in any way or more than likely even be noticed by anyone but me. At this stage of a drawing I almost have to force myself to stop for fear of over doing it and it ending up overworked or, worse still, my colours turning grey and ‘muddy’ looking. So no more pencil work will be taking place....... unless of course there are ammendments to be made.

Staffordshire Bull Terrier

Believe it or not I’ve been working all week on my current portrait of Colin, a Staffordshire Bull Terrier, although it might not look like it from the progress shots. Being a predominantly white dog there are lots of subtle colours in there that are lost when scanned. I had hoped to have him 95% finished by today but there is still much to do - white dogs, I am finding, take a lot longer to do somehow.

'Colin'
A Work in Progress
Copyright Laura Hardie 2010

Misty

Misty
12'x10' Coloured Pencil
Copyright Laura Hardie 2010

I think I must be getting old as I can’t seem to do more than one and a half hours of drawing at a time lately without getting aches of some sort (just now it is my back) and I have to get up and move around a bit to ‘loosen’ up. I suppose being hunched over my drawing board for hours doesn’t help – that and the fact I could really do with a more comfortable chair to sit in.

Misty is now finished and sitting where I can look at her over the next couple of days to see if anything screams ‘fix me’. If not, and she is approved, it’s a trip to my framers for a mount before posting. In the meantime I have made a start on my next portrait which is that little bit different from the traditional head study as you can see from the reference on the right.

Spaniel update

Misty
A Work in Progress
Copyright Laura Hardie 2010

Another of my ‘quick posts’ where I don’t say much (do I ever) but to give you an update of where I am with Misty. As you can see there is just her neck area left to do.

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:)

A New Year

I for one am pleased that 2009 is now behind me and I’m very much looking forward to the year ahead and what it brings. Like many other artists at this time I like to give a lot of thought to my goals for the year and what I want to achieve. This year my two main goals are to stop procrastinating and to manage my time better so that it is a more productive year for me with more artwork to show at the end of it. I am the worlds best at saying ‘I am going to do this and that’ and it never quite materialising – well not this year!

Last year wasn’t productive for me with one thing or another so I'm ‘carrying forward’ the goals I made back then and making them this years goals – I’ve made a few tweaks here and there.

• Spend more time on marketing. Update my marketing materials such as business cards, postcards etc.
• Print, market and sell prints of my work.
• Start a newsletter.
• Experiment more with my pencils, try new supports, techniques and mixing them with other media.
• Work more with paint – aim to complete at least one painting a month.
• Put together a portfolio of work with the aim of approaching galleries next year.
• Submit work into at least two exhibitions.
• Learn more about my camera and improve my photography skills - start photography course.

I’ve kept my goals ‘do-able’ for the time being, no point making the list long and daunting. There are more things I want to do and may well add to this list as the year progresses and time allows – this way there is no pressure:)

'Seriously!'
11.5"x8" Graphite pencil
Copyright Laura Hardie 2010

I had a very quiet Christmas watching too much TV and eating lots of chocolate as predicted. I did manage to work here and there on the Weimaraner I started back at the end of November however, and he is now finished.

Next up on the drawing board is another Cocker Spaniel.

Merry Christmas

Rhu
Copyright Laura Hardie 2009

Rab and Rhu
12"x16" Coloured Pencil
Copyright Laura Hardie 2009

Both Rab and Rhu are finished which means my pencils can now be put away over the Christmas holidays. I’ve not got anything special planned so it will be a quiet one for me this year, most likely spent watching too much TV and eating lots of chocolate. Whatever I do I hope it’ll be a time to relax, although I’m not sure that’s entirely possible living with a teenage, hormonal daughter:)

It’s not been a good year for me as regular readers of my blog will know but I’ve had some amazing support from people both here on my blog and through personal emails which I want you to know gave me much needed strength and confidence when I needed it. I’ve appreciated each and every comment/email – every one encouraged me to keep going through what I wont deny has been a very difficult and emotional period of my life - so a huge, warm, heartfelt THANK YOU to you all.

I’d like to take this opportunity to wish all who follow and read my blog a very MERRY CHRISTMAS and a HAPPY NEW YEAR. Here’s to 2010.

More Cocker Spaniels

'Rab'
Copyright Laura Hardie 2009

It’s snowing outside, Christmas songs are playing continuously on the radio as I work, presents are all wrapped and under the tree, plenty of mince pies are being consumed but I’m struggling to get into the festive spirit – it just isn’t happening this year. I normally love Christmas too.

I’m still working away on the Cocker Spaniel portrait and need to get this finished before Christmas. As you can see, Rab is now finished and I’ve made a start on Rhu.

'Rhu'
A Work in Progress
Copyright Laura Hardie 2009

And how they are looking together so far .......

'Rab and Rhu'
Copyright Laura hardie 2009

Spaniel update

'Rab'
A Work in Progress
Copyright Laura Hardie 2009

Just popping in briefly with an update to show that Rab now has both ears and the beginnings of his neck area. Nearly there. Providing I don’t spend too long Christmas shopping, he should be finished tomorrow.

Back to colour

'Rab'
A Work in Progress
Copyright Laura Hardie 2009

Another Cocker Spaniel and this time he is one of a pair I am working on. I don’t think I’ve come across a breed of dog that has such variations in coat colour and markings – I’m assuming, after doing a bit of research, Rab is an orange roan but please feel free to correct me if I’m wrong.

Weimaraner

'Weim'
A Work in Progress
Copyright Laura Hardie 2009

I had a bit of a break last week (well from the drawing board at least hence my lack of posts) even though I had every intention of working on my next Cocker Spaniel. I should maybe point out that it wasn’t laziness on my part but down to the fact that I don’t as yet have a reference photo to work from. It wasn’t a problem though as there are always things to keep me busy and it gave me a chance to catch up on a lot of chores that needed doing.

I did find time to pick up my pencils and make a start on one of the Weimaraners I’ve been promising to do for long enough. I just loved the expression on his face – so full of attitude and mischief – and hope that I’ve captured that. It was certainly my aim. Still a long way to go with this drawing and I’ll be working on it between commissions so it might be a while before you see it finished.

I’ve also become one of the millions who are now on Facebook and I invite you to join me there and become a Friend (link is on sidebar). Only problem is I’m spending way too long on there now but what a great way to meet new people and other artists and see their artwork. If I take longer to finish a piece I’ll definitely be blaming Facebook:)