Sunday, November 1, 2009

When work feels more like play (it's a good day!).





In a bit of a departure from my usual marker-pen adventures, most of my week has been spent painting the adorable 'Smudge'. Talk about therapy. How relaxing it has been to do away with my usually fidgety self, and surrender to the organic nature of creating a painting that comes to life only after stage upon stage and multiple layers of paint. Who knew I had so much patience?
I've spent so many hours in it's company that I've reached the point of zero objectivity, with equal levels of love and dissatisfaction. Give me a year and I might have developed a useful opinion on it. Until then as with all commissions, I just have to cross my fingers and hope it is well received!





14 comments:

  1. Fantastic! I've long wanted to paint my dog (she looks much like Smudge) so maybe after studying this amazing portrait awhile longer, I might just tackle the challenge.

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  2. Smudge is absolutely gorgeous. I am sure the owners will love this.
    Pat
    http://www.flickr.com/photos/pattc
    www.patsytaylorcraw.com

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  3. WOW! Super painting! Love your brush strokes. Great colors.

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  4. My goodness, I'm so glad you included the close-up so we can see your sensitive brush strokes, combinations of colors and textures, and lovely detail. Take a bow and feel the bouquets tossed your way, because you've earned them with this performance!

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  5. That's such a beautiful dog! I really like you drawings, your professional side is showing for sure, and the colors are just so well placed. Perfect shading, perfect values... simply amazing!

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  6. Smudge is adorable!! It looks like the much needed "break" you deserve! Well done!

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  7. Lovely. You have a great talent to be able to produce such a detailed, balanced portrait. Congratulations.

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  8. What personality and character! Spectacular! :)

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  9. Lovely painting - I love the fact that you can see all the brushstrokes, you don´t paint every little hair on the dog. Beautiful.

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  10. As the owner of Smudge, I can only say that it is perfect. Well done Lou. Thank you.(Now I've got to keep David away from the website until Christmas!!)
    Penny xx

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  11. What a beautiful study, and it is so different to the other artwork you have posted - which are lovely too! I love the vibrant pictures that you make, very inspiring!

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  12. Yes! You chose a rechnique of brush strokes that is perfect for the subject - and great color!

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