Paintings in Progress
This page will feature a number of paintings 'on the easel' at any one time. I often have as many as a dozen paintings in various stages of completion at any particular time, which I will work on between fulfilling my other illustration commitments.
Over the coming weeks I will add images of paintings I am currently working on - paintings posted on this page will be available for purchase on a first refusal basis - please call or email me to confirm availability and I will make a note of your interest.
To avoid disappointment, please call or email me as soon as possible if you see a particular painting of interest.
Example study - Boxer portrait
The illustrations below show the different stages of development of a gundog protrait.
The
first stage of any dog portrait is to paint a background wash. The
tones I use are determined by the fur of the dog in question, and
I usually blend several colours together to give a marbled effect.
After
completing several preliminary sketches, the final drawing is placed
in the correct position for the final painting. Once I am happy with
it, the outline is traced down.
Once
the dog is drawn out, I begin to block in some colours to outline
the main features of the animal. No detail is added at this stage,
as I am only interested In giving the animal some form.
After
blocking in the main areas of colour, I then spend time concentrating
on the two most important areas of any portrait – the eyes and the
mouth. The life of any animal is in the eyes, so to paint these accurately
is vital for a convincing portrait.
Having
spent some time working on the eyes and mouth, I then continue to
enhance others areas of the head. Areas like the ears and around the
eyes are then darkened to their maximum tonal values.
Once
happy with the overall form of the portrait, I work on adding in the
detail until the final individual hairs are added. Last but not least,
I sign and date the painting, and the portrait is now ready for the
customer.