Sweet Heart

[Dark_Shades]

One of my chat buddies from Canada sent me a photo of her adorable new addition to her family.... I just had to paint him, she's called him Basil... lol.... I wanted Heartly :) .... as she said that on the other side, he had a black mark in the shape of a heart ... aww, when I find what Ive done with the photo will post... until then ...... I'll show you he's portrait.
Its in Nupastels, and Ive been experimenting lately with new types of pastel papers .. this is La Carte Pastel Board 9 x 12"

... thanks for looking

http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/16-Mar-2003/12116-SweetHeart.jpg

[Crias]

What a cutey!

[crazeejumper]

How adorable! He looks like such a sweetie! :clap:

[CraftyHopo]

You must have a pretty good art shop near by to be able to get the materials you want. I like this very much and maybe, just maybe I will pick up those pastel pencils and have a go soon!

How do you get on with blending? When I tried the pastel pencils I found that a couple of rubs with your finger and they disapear!

Though I'd let you know I've just got my first commission from an art gallery for a dog portrait (Collie). This could be the start of good things!

Paul

[artcrazy]

AWESOME work, darkshades!! wow! :eek: :clap: :clap: :clap:

What a cute puppy, must have been very enjoyable to paint. :D

[Arcanjo]

:) Excellent work!:clap: :clap: :clap:

[inkskin]

Oh my goodness,look at that little face!
You did a great job-he melts my heart.:)

Heather

[k9artist]

How do you get on with blending? When I tried the pastel pencils I found that a couple of rubs with your finger and they disapear!

Lovely You really captured those puppy eyes!
Ha!!! I thought it was just me when I tried the pastel pencils Paul!!

[Nynna]

OMG, he is so-o-o sute, Terrific work DS.

[lorna12]

What a wonderful piece of art! Fabulous job.:clap: :clap:



For Paul, Way to go!!:clap:

[Dark_Shades]

Ohhhh what a wonderful lot of replies and comments.... many thanks Crias, Crazee, Crafty, Art, Arcanjo, Ink, K9, Nynna, Lorna .. did I miss anyone :)

Art, yes he was lovely to paint... especially when he's face started to emerge

Crafty ... no have no art supplies shops here, unless you class WH Smiths as one :p .... Ive tried loads of places.... yellow pages lol ... internet... Ive given up, and just order what I want from Dick Blick :D (lol wish I was on commission for them hee hee .. cant recommend them highly enough) .... as for sample pack of papers that was from Dakota Pastels .... will come back in with the link and info. Congrats on your commission Crafty.. I had a quick look round your website too.... do you get many sales from it? .... how does one go about selling and commissions?

..... Pastel Pencils
I got my Faber Castell Pastel Pencils after seeing a link to Colin Bradley ..... has a few tutorials on this link... very useful and informative .... liked he's work so ordered them from him... he's in Kent, UK http://www.bradleygallery.co.uk/ ... with pastel pencils you do need a pastel paper with a tooth/texture to it... which holds the pastel well and enables you to build up fine layers ... keeps you a density and form. Must confess I did use to blend with my fingers..... thoroughly enjoy the feel of it... its just a natural habit... but as you start to progess using them you do it less and less... as by applying layer and layer of pencil, they are automatically blending by themselves, by moving the pencil over and over.... hope this makes sense. Really you only want to blend large areas, thats if thats the ending effect you want, as blending does tend to deaden and flatten the colours. For the painting above.... Pastels sticks were used .... the blanket was mostly blended in the creamish area, and pastel sticks of other shades to give the impression of folds.... Pastel pencils were only used for the puppies eyes, whiskers and nose detail and a bit of an outline on he's leg

.. hope this helps you Crafty and K9
FC pastel pencils are a harder variety and can be sharpened to a fine point for details ...... Derwents are much softer and creamier in feel to use ..... but can not be sharpened .... only had a couple of derwents, as the softer ones have to be applied over harder, as harder obviously takes soft off..... the only reason why I dont use so much pencil work now was only for the fact there you are limited in colours.... with pastels .... you NEVER have the colour you want :) ..... but it is really a beautiful fast and quick medium to work in.... love it

[CraftyHopo]

Most of the commissions have come through word of mouth but because of making my face known in my local gallery that has started the ball rolling!
I find it hard to price my work because as you know if you sold a picture and priced it on say £5.00 per hour (don't know what that is in dollars), your picture would be over priced for the adverage working man to afford.
So I'd advise get your name known, advertise throught gallerys even though their commission can be high and set up a web site you can advertise. I've advertised mine through my local Council computer network and it is free!!! Over one and a half council staff recieve what they call the e-news and get to see my paintings with a link to my web site. I've had many a commission because of this.
If I can help any more then please e-mail me through my web site. I'm still working full time but I am slowly getting there!!!:D
Paul

[RachelG*]

How adorable!!! you did a wonderful job on the painting.

[Dark_Shades]

Good ideas there Paul - Thanks... got a website under construction :0

.... many thanks Rachel for your kind comments

... just look at this ..... isnt it remarkable..... awwwwwww

http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/17-Mar-2003/12116-all_heart.jpg

[prairie painter]

well I was just surfing posts today, wasn't going to say anything, but you captured the cute so perfectly, I just had to say, aaaawwwwwwwww!

[Wes Hyde]

Nice work, Dark. Very nice!

Wes

[ptantono]

Such adorable little puppy. So far looks great, especially those eyes, melt my heart. :D Cant wait to see you complete with it.

[Leslie Pz]

Shades
This is unbelievably adorable! Sweetheart's little eyes are just the best! I am so glad I saw this (two pages and many comments later! Where have I been?!!?)

Great job Shades I am VERY glad this is not a commission! You need pieces to display at art shows and other hangings! And this one deserves to travel and be seen!!!!
-Les

[Dark_Shades]

Many thanks Wes, have seen your works and love them... you too PT

... thank you prairie for stopping by and commenting

...... thanks Leslie..... art shows? ...... hangings? ..... travelling? .... I do my paintings and put them all away in a box - only showings they get are in WC lol

[Crystal Owl]

You did a beautiful job on this, that is amazing..... My daughter was born with a perfectly shaped heart birthmark on her bum cheek :)

IRene

[lorna12]

Dark_Shades!! Why are you hiding that beautiful work in a closet! What a shame, such a waste!

I am glad you share with us at least!:clap: