Keeping busy

12''x 10'', Pencil on Mellotex paper
Copyright Laura Hardie 2013

July has snuck up on me somehow (in fact, where has this year gone!) and I now find myself just weeks away from entry deadlines to an exhibition I want to submit work to with nothing to enter! Didn’t help I stupidly managed to get the dates wrong as I was convinced I had to the middle/end of August. So now I am literally stuck to my drawing board, commissions put to one side, working all hours in the hope I can produce something show worthy in the little time I have. Means I have been missing all this (rare) lovely sun we’ve been getting too ….. ok, so I may have succumbed a couple of times but I did make up for it later.

The ‘secret’ commission mentioned in my previous post made it safely to Italy, so I can now share it with you. Was good to have a horse commission to work on as I want to build my equine portfolio and concentrate more in this area in the future if I can. That's the plan anyway.

Beau

Beau

10''x 10'', pencil on Mellotex paper
Original sold

What a past week it has been!! Lots of good, nice, happy things happening and then some not so good. But not going to dwell on the not so good for now thank you very much – it can sod off and karma can deal with it.

Finished the ‘secret’ commission I’ve been working on and I can hopefully share it here next week. Needs to make its way to Italy first – still get excited when I think of my drawings making their way to homes around the world. So now I am trawling my way through hundreds of photos taken at the Royal Highland Show last week, which incidentally was fantastic as ever and a great two days was had, to decide which is going to make it onto paper first. It’s not often I’m spoilt for reference choice. 

‘Beau’ was drawn from photos taken at last years show and it was my intention to do a limited run of prints from this but being the pernickety, perfectionist I am when it comes to my art they just didn’t match up enough to the original drawing in my eyes and so no prints ……. except that is for 5 artist proofs I still have. I didn’t have the heart to throw them out and felt they were too good, again in my eyes, to bin so I have signed, mounted and wrapped them ready to sell at a one off price of £25 plus p&p. Image size is 10’’x 10’’ and mounted, 14’’x 14’’. I’ve also mentioned this over on my FB page so I’d be quick if interested, sold three already!

Still working but ........

22cm x 33.5cm, pencil on Mellotex paper
Copyright Laura Hardie 2013

My thanks to Francesca Morrison for allowing me to use her photo

I’d be a terrible boss so I would, or a great one depending on how you look at it, first bit of sun and I’d have everyone out enjoying it. Which is exactly what I’ve been doing lately, my reasoning being that this could be it, this could be our summer so best make the most of it. And it is so good to have some sun at last, thought it was never coming. Thankfully the nights are long and it’s getting dark late so I can make up my drawing time in the evenings. My camera is often out with me during the day so really I am still working in a way, she says convincingly.

I’m working on a commission just now that I can’t share just yet, end of June hopefully. But I did finish the horse from a couple of posts back and can show this. I’m really happy with how this drawing turned out and had intended entering it into a show later in the year but, I’m delighted to say, it has been sold. And I couldn’t be happier with where it is going. Still need to come up with a title though, something else to think about in the sun tomorrow perhaps ;)

Cassie

Cassie
12''x 10'', Coloured Pencil on Canson Mi-Teintes
Copyright Laura Hardie 2013

Can’t believe it’s the middle of May already – where has the year gone! It’s around about this time that I start panicking about competition/exhibition pieces for shows I want to enter later in the year and deciding what I want to do for what, if I’ve done enough and if not will I have the time to do them. Trying to fit in a photography course I have started, and thoroughly enjoying, as well as Bella who is still very much a handful is making me panic that bit more. And of course I have my commissioned work to do. But it’s good being busy and I’ll get everything done. Staying positive at least.

I’m back working on the horse in my last post after taking a break to complete this coloured pencil portrait of Cassie, a Great Dane. I love Great Danes but will admit to being very slightly intimidated by their size when I first meet them. And you couldn’t get a better natured dog, very noble looking too.

Please do not use without permission from the artist

Ouch!!

Work in progress
Copyright Laura Hardie 2013

Feeling a bit sorry for myself as I had a slight accident over the weekend that resulted in the middle finger of my right, aka drawing, hand being badly sprained/bruised – I don’t think it’s broken anyway. Still wincing at the thought of the pain when it happened *shudder* but then I’ve never done pain very well. Shot right up my arm it did! Anyway, it’s day 5 now since accident and while I still can’t bend or straighten it there is some movement coming back and the swelling has gone down. And best of all the pain is bearable – couldn’t have anyone, or thing, near it for days for fear of it being knocked or touched in any way. Drawing has also been out of the question which has been both frustrating and annoying …… can’t my finger appreciate I have lots to do, deadlines to meet and bills to pay!

I was really enjoying working on this drawing before things came to a halt. It’s one of those drawings where I find it really hard to stop, wanting to finish this bit first …… then another …… and another ……… yes, I’ll put tea on in a minute, just let me finish this bit …… oh and that bit …… have to do this bit first then I’ll take the dog out – you get the idea :) My thanks has to go to thank Francesca Morrison for allowing me to use her photo for this piece. If you have a spare moment or two, do have a look at her work.

Thoroughbred

Currently without a title!

15''x 7'', graphite pencil on Mellotex paper
Copyright Laura Hardie 2013
Please do not use without permission

Sitting here typing this post and the sun is shining which is such a welcome sight after all this awful weather we've been having recently – Spring might yet be on its way after all! What is it about the sun that makes facing the day that much better. Even my huge, never ending to-do list doesn’t look daunting and is more than doable and I can fit in some sun time with Bella. Don’t know why I have an urge (and it’s a big one) to do some baking though – that is not like me at all.

I’ve been working on a few drawings, this thoroughbred horse being one of them. I photographed her at Musselburgh Racecourse cooling off after a race and waiting to be washed down. The Thoroughbred truly is a beautiful animal and don’t think I’ll ever tire of drawing them. I loved getting lost in all that muscle and form while ignoring everything else around me. Still need to come up with a title and always seem to struggle with this bit - will give it more thought.

Now what shall I bake ……….

Been a while ...

Having a day of playing catch-up starting with my blog as it’s been a while since my last post. Life is still very much revolving around Bella in many ways. My vision of me at the drawing board with my adorable puppy napping peacefully at my feet while I worked was, I think, a bit naïve of me. Ok, obviously I knew it wouldn’t be quite like that, well for a good while anyway, but don’t think I was quite prepared for the force that is Bella, my headstrong, determined (oh how she is determined), beautiful girl.

Trying to work for any length of time was quickly becoming a distant memory for me with my ‘little bundle of joy’ demanding more and more of my time. It didn’t help that she had tummy problems for the first 3 weeks where my days more or less consisted of cleaning up poop 24/7 while in between I would be removing things from her mouth that shouldn’t  be there or removing her from no-go areas, that mainly being the couch ……… numerous times! My vocabulary was more or less ‘no’ and ‘leave it’ to the point I wondered if she maybe thought ‘No’ was her name! Glad to report she does respond to Bella and her recall is very good – we’ve been off lead a number of times now for a good run about and even played with other dogs and come back when called *proud mummy hat on* 

Hard work, headstrong, determined, naughty and mischevious she might be but she really is a good puppy and never fails to make me laugh.  Already I can see the amazing dog she will grow up to be and looking forward to all the fun times we’ll share. And of course I had to share a few of the many photos I have taken over the past 6 weeks.

I’m even getting more hours at the drawing board (yay:)) and finished my secret portrait, the one I can’t share quite yet as it’s to be a surprise for someone, and this carbon pencil drawing of a Lab I started back in January.

Approx. 10''x 8''
Carbon Pencils on Fabriano 5
Original available
Copyright Laura Hardie 2013

It’s been a good few years since I’ve used carbon pencils and I do like them just not as much as graphite. They are a lot quicker to work with which I like a LOT, completing this drawing in almost half the time I would had it been in graphite. Think I’d like to do a lot more sketches using the carbon pencils ….. that’s my plan anyway.

Meet Bella

Bella at 8weeks

I’ve been a bit quiet on here lately and my reason for this is all down to our new addition to the family, Bella, a small mischievous, bouncing, bundle of fun and cuteness. There is also a lot of misbehaving, madness and naughtiness there too I might add! But obviously to be expected. 

It was a 6 and a half hour journey in the car to get her and the same back which was really quite an achievement for me being someone who doesn’t like Motorways and having never driven out of Edinburgh before – I left all long distance driving to my, now ex, husband. But every mile was worth it and it wasn’t too bad a drive as it turned out once me and ‘James’ the Sat Nav understood each other. 

So there has not been much in the way of drawing this past week or two while helping Bella settle in and it’s been a case of stealing the odd hour here and there when possible. But it’s back to work Monday before I get too far behind with commissions and Bella knows this :)

Cards and Prints

Greetings Cards
Copyright Laura Hardie 2013

I haven’t shared my cards and prints yet here on my blog – I think deep down I was waiting until I had better photos of them but that could be a couple of months away and it will be old news by then. You can see what I mean by my photos and can only apologise! I’m actually really excited as I’ve signed up for a photography class that I start in March and I’m hoping it will not only improve my camera skills but encourage me to get out and about more with my camera and take lots of photos. I promised myself I was going to record more of my year by way of photos so it’s at least a start. Anyway, I digress, back to my cards and prints.

I currently have 5 of my drawings made into cards - ‘Seriously’, ‘Devotion’, ‘Beau’, ‘Want to Play’ and ‘The Look’. Blank inside for your own message they are professionally printed on 350gsm smooth silk white card, and include an envelope (of course) and are sealed in a clear bag. Cards are £2.25 each or 5 for £10. Great to give to family or friends or why not keep them and put them in a 5’’x 7’’ frame. Think that covers my cards but any questions please let me know.

Clyde
Copyright Laura Hardie 2013

I was really excited about my ‘Clyde’ prints as not only is it one of my favourite drawings, I couldn’t be happier with how the prints turned out. Printed on 315gsm archival, acid free paper the image size of the print is 28cm x 24cm (mounted size: 41.5cm x 38.5cm). I am limiting this print to just 15 copies and all will be signed and numbered - £65 and one could be yours.

Daydreamer
Copyright Laura Hardie 2013

‘Daydreamer’ is one of my older prints that I still have available, though I only have three that I could post straight away. This one is printed on the same paper as ‘Clyde’ so I wont go repeating myself here and image size is 19.5cm x 27.5cm (mounted, 30.5cm x 39.5cm). All are signed and numbered and cost is £60. This is a scan of Daydreamer to give you a better idea of how your print will look.

Daydreamer
Copyright Laura Hardie 2013

 Both prints are available to purchase direct from myself so if interested in owning either one, or both, please message or email me.

Boxer

Hector
10''x 8'', Pencil
Copyright Laura Hardie 2013

Plumbers, boilers, joiners, tax returns, paperwork, car, puppy searching, daughters 18^th – I’m sure there’s more - have all kept me away from the drawing board this past week so have been stealing minutes here and there to work on my latest drawing when I can. Not the most productive start to the new year I had hoped for but, fingers crossed, it’s back to normality tomorrow. I am working on two drawings just now, one I can’t share with you as it’s to be a surprise for someone and the other, a horse, I can and will in my next post. It’s still very much in the early stages but hoping to get lots done over the next few days. That’s the plan at least.

Hector, above, was a Christmas commission so I can now safely show him. He has to be, no, is the most adorable Boxer that I’ve had the pleasure of meeting and I could very easily have taken him home with me. I want me a Hector!

And before I forget (as if I could:)) - you can now view this years winners of the Ex Arte Equinus VI competition online and I seriously recommend you do if you can. But make yourself a coffee first as you could be there sometime! ‘Time Out’ is there with it’s rosette in the Drawing category along with ‘Pep Talk’. Genuinely couldn’t be happier to be amongst such talented artists.

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.