"Indy" (Flat-Coat Retreiver, 8 weeks old)

This is my friend, Mylou's, new puppy, Indy.  Isn't she adorable.  I just had to draw her.  She is a Flat-Coated Retriever, just like her sister, Luna.  Mylou and I met in puppy class nearly 4 years ago and have been friends every since. :)

Drawing Indy was a bit of challenge in that she is all black, not a speck of white anywhere.  I used my new favorite method of black and white charcoal on Bristol Vellum.  Even though she is entirely black I needed the white charcoal to help pick out the highlights.  I generally use both hard and medium grades of black charcoal, white charcoal and an "ugly" brush to help work the graphite powder into the paper, giving me a smooth and rich undercoat.  An electric eraser is used for picking out tiny highlights in the eyes and the toe nails.

The only compositional change I made was to swap the leaf Indy had in her mount with a daisy.  I thought it added a little whimsy and I like the contrast of the white flower against an all black puppy.

"Indy"

8x10

Charcoal on Bristol Vellum

Private Collection

Practice Piece "Husky" in Graphite

I've been flat on my back for several days, today is the first day I'm really up and around.  Walked the dog around our little court this morning and finished my practice piece.  I found this book on Drawing Cats & Dogs and picked it up for about $8 bucks.  I've learned three things: 1) I do better on my own than trying to following someone else's directions, and 2) I like drawing with charcoal better than graphite.  Who knew?  :)  Lastly, I learned that perhaps Bristol Vellum is not the best ground for graphite, but I still think it came out okay.

"Husky" Study

8x10

Graphite on Bristol Vellum

Pet Portrait Commission "Coco"

I am working pro-bono to raise funds for a friend's surgery.  Brian Wetzel is a long-time advocate and key-note speaker for NAMI (National Alliance for Mental Illness).  He uses his own life experiences in his one-man show and his musical to educate people about depression.  This is the first commission piece so far toward my goal.

"Coco"

8" x 10" 

Prismacolor Pencils on Bristol Vellum

Private Collection

Zoe

I'm having such fun getting re-aquainted with charcoal and the Drawing Cats & Dogs class that I decided to draw my friend's new puppy, Zoe, while I waited for the next on-line lesson.  I've actually drawn out the entire body but now think I should have kept it to a head and chest view.  Here she is, I think I want to adopt her myself!  Just teasing. :)

"Zoe"

8x10

8-week Australian Shepherd

Charcoal pencil on Bristol Vellum

Private Collection

Designer Gouache & Charcoal

This week I'm working on something totally new.  Our Drawing Dogs & Cats class is still working in black and white, but this time incorporating black gouache.  My first piece is a black and white border collie - you might have guess from previous pieces that I'm partial to this breed :)    After doing a sketch of the BC I filled in all the dark areas with black gouache and let it dry thoroughly.   I also started a cat so that I could let that dry while I continued to work on the details of the dog.  I thought this was a really fun project.  I really like the look of the first step, it reminds me of project we did in design class in college using black sticky "tape" to create an image.

Here he is with just the gouache.  I didn't put it on the eyes because I wanted to be 

able to shade them with the white and black charcoal pencils.

Young Border Collie Study

8x10

Bristol Vellum, 100#

For the tongue I chose not to smooth the charcoal out so that I could 

get the appearance of a rougher surface.

 They eyes took many layers of both black and white charcoal.

You can help!

Would you like to participate in a random act of kindness AND get a custom portrait of your pet at the same time? You can order as many portraits as you like but, please, only one animal per portrait. Completed portraits will measure 8x10 inches and be matted (white), backed and bagged with archival artist-quality materials. Cost is $100 and includes shipping (continental U.S.). All monies will be donated to a member of our community in need of surgery. (see note at bottom). Payment via PayPal please. I'm offering two different styles (see attached). Send me a private message if you are interested and I will work out the details with you - you can also find me on Facebook to send private messages. Please provide a quality, well-lit photo of you pet and will create a portrait of his/her head/chest.

Border Collie Pup (Study)

Charcoal on Tinted Pastel Paper

Head/chest portrait of your pet in charcoal pencils. Finished portrait will be matted in white with backing board and clear bag, all archival materials.

"Ginger - Cat Lady"

Watercolor

Arches 300# Paper

Private Collection

If you prefer your name or your pet's name in watercolor I can create a piece like this. This is watercolor on watercolor paper and will be shipped with a mat board backing and an archival bag (no matting with this format as they will all be different sizes)

More info about the beneficiary: His name is Brian Wetzel, he lives in Santa Rosa, CA and is a comedian and advocate speaker for NAMI (National Alliance for Mental Illness). He puts on a one man show to bring awareness about depression. He needs three different parts of his shoulder operated on and doesn't have insurance or money to pay. He gives to the community at large and I would like to find a small way to help him. I believe if you google NAMI you can find him and maybe even buy a DVD of his show. I am doing random acts of kindness throughout 2013 and I personally have experienced horrible pain so I understand how he feels. I also think that NAMI does a tremendous amount off good for people . Lastly, I just love dogs (and cats)!

Charcoal Pencils on Colored Background

I am really enjoying drawing dogs and cats, this little guy is different in that he is done in charcoal instead of graphite.  He looks like he wants to come home with me, what do you think?

Here he is all finished!