The finished Watercolor!

The finished watercolor portrait.  I am pleased with the way it came out and particularly like the way the horse's coat shines. I hope my client will be pleased... I know this photo means a lot to her as did the horse depicted in it. 

Watercolor Painting - adding the initial washes...

Here you can see I have put in the soft background tones and started on the horse and rider. I like to keep the background somewhat muted so as to not distract from the main subject.

Watercolor Painting

This is the beginning stages of my latest commission - a 7"x10" watercolor portrait. I start by lightly drawing in  a contour drawing. This was a great photo to work from...

Remembering those that touch our lives....

This portrait was done in loving memory of a dear friend and companion. I was blessed enough to meet this sweet little dog before she sadly had to be put down. I love to meet the pets I draw - it gives me a better insight into the animal's character and somehow that enables me to translate their individual personality onto paper.

The Finished Dog Portrait

The portrait is completed - I really hope the recipient will love it! I enjoyed drawing both dogs - both faces are so full of character.

Dog Portrait in Progress.....

Dog Portrait in Progress.... the first dog has been fully rendered and I've finished with the second dog's eyes. I love the way his eyes glow through the page. The eyes are the most important part of the portrait... so much can be told about an animal through it's eyes.

The Beginnings of my next Dog Portrait

My latest portrait.... I just started the shading today - my favorite part - this is where the drawing comes to life and just as Michelangelo "found" The David in the marble so I "find" the subject I am depicting by bringing them to life with shadows and lights on the paper. The aim is to have the subject really come out of the paper in as three-dimensional a way as I can using only two-dimensional tools.