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Viewing: Blog Posts Tagged with: sisterhood of pet portrait artists, Most Recent at Top [Help]
Results 1 - 8 of 8
1. Pet Portrait Trade: Complete!

About a year or so ago, I did a pet portrait trade with Christine Throckmorton of I Heart Dogs Studio.

I had only ever done one other pet portrait trade. (Here is my portrait of Daisy from ArtPaw, and here is the portrait I did for ArtPaw of Pixel). At the time that Christine approached me about the trade, I'd just made the decision to hang up pet portraits. But I decided to do it. Why? This would be my last portrait. I thought, who better to receive it than another pet portrait artist?  I would complete my tenure of this 5-year pet portrait adventure (as I knew it) on a high-note. Plus, I really liked Christine and her work (and her blog). So, I was happy to oblige, and I completed Christine's portrait of Rosie in January 2010.

Well, today, my day has finally come. I received my portrait of Daisy and Ruby. Oh boy!



Biodegradable packing peanuts :)


...what's this?

A nice personal note and a biz card accompanied my portrait...

 Here is my beautiful Christine Throckmorton original oil painting of Daisy and Ruby. Can you say "WOW"? Here I'll say it for both of us. WOW.

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2. "Party Animals" original art auctions are LIVE-- to benefit A Place To Bark!



My "Party Animals" original pen/ink/watercolor painting up for auction to benefit A Place To Bark


Hey all! I am very pleased to announce that the Party Animals original art auctions to benefit A Place To Bark are now LIVE and tick-tick-ticking away on Ebay! All auctions are five-day auctions only. All of them will end on October 20th. Plenty of great artwork to be had, and all of the auctions start at just $20! This is all-original art we are talking about, too! Very exciting, very fun, and ALL proceeds go to benefit animal rescue sanctuary A Place To Bark. The proceeds will go directly to taking care of and rehabilitating previously abandoned and abused animals.

There is not a better feeling than being able to helping another living being who desperately needs it. This is a wonderful way to give of your heart but also get something wonderful in return. All of the works were created with big hearts and a generous, giving spirit. All of the works of art were made expressly for the Party Animals project, and were made with positive intentions for the animals. Please find your favorites, and please bid!!!

> See all of the art auctions here

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3. Party Animals Week, Day Five: Process, Part Two


See Part One here



Once my pencil work was completed, I went in with my Rapidograph pen (.25 point size nib). I love this part of the process. I can kind of "zone out" and let my brain go on autopilot. Inking the lines is still a very creative process but it's kind of like rollerskating wearing knee pads. You are protected to begin with, but you can take a few chances and still feel safe.

And... Ta-da!! Here is the final painting!






Book giveaway ends tonight at midnight EST.
> Enter my Party Animals book giveaway

Hey... one last thing... Today is my sister Julie's birthday!! HAPPY BIRTHDAY, JULIE!!!!

1 Comments on Party Animals Week, Day Five: Process, Part Two, last added: 9/28/2009
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4. Party Animals Week: Day Three - from first roughs to a general composition


I began my composition by simply fleshing out my idea in rough sketch form. I was not sure where I was going with it, but part of the fun is the journey. I just knew that I liked the idea of all different kinds of dogs dressed in party gear. Each type of dress would show off the individual dog's personality. I love to do characters and show little personality traits through what they are wearing, facial expressions, and demeanor. So I knew that this idea would work perfectly with my sensibilities!

> Enter my Party Animals book giveaway


Once I drew a bunch of the dog heads, I decided I would fit them all together, kind of like a puzzle, as though they really were at a party! I wanted to add my signature flourishes—a decorative border plus some fun title lettering, as well. But that would come later...

>Read about the Party Animals project in Scrapbooking magazine




I then took many of my dog heads and I worked them into the desired space. After scanning the original sketches, I worked in Photoshop to cut them out, head by head, and place them into the desired size of composition (in this case, the entire piece is 8" x 8"). I sized the heads to allow extra space for my lettering/title and the decorative border. Once this layout was complete, I printed out the art to actual 100% size on a piece of 8.5 x 11 paper. Then I drew it onto watercolor paper using my lightbox and the printout as a rough guide. I never trace art work directly because I feel that the finished traced line always lacks life. It makes a huge difference to just redraw instead of trace—it's like night and day! You can really see the difference! So instead, I used the print-out guide as just that: a guide, a marker for where things should be placed in the finished composition. Using the light-pencil lines I put on the paper from the lightbox/printiout sketch, I then redrew all of the elements freehand in my own hand once again. This time I generally followed the original sketch so the general characters is still intact. After this was complete, I then pencilled the title lettering and the decorative border directly onto the watercolor paper freehand.

Friday: ink phase and see the final painting!

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5. Party Animals Day Two: Dog Painting Demo Part 9



In this next-to-last video demo of my Party Animals painting contribution, I show you one way that I like to use metallic paint. I also give tips on adding texture to your painting, and how a little shading can help elevate your work.
> Enter my Party Animals book giveaway

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6. Party Animals Week!



Monday (today) through Friday is Party Animals Week here on my blog! First up are the final two video demos of the painting I created especially for the Party Animals book project. This one focuses on how to get colors to harmonize well together in a small composition. I offer a tip and a trick or two to help you to wiggle your favorite colors into a painting even if the colors might not seem to "go together" at first. Hope you enjoy!


>See all of the video demos here.

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7. Enter To Win a copy of Party Animals book!

I'm giving away a copy of
the Party Animals book!

(Don't know what I'm talking about? Please read here)

To celebrate this great collaboration of pet portrait artists on this benefit project and the upcoming original art auctions on Ebay, I am giving away a package consisting of a copy of Party Animals PLUS a fun-bag of WellerWishes doggie-art goodies!


You can enter once, or you can enter twice...

Enter Once Leave a comment on this blog post telling me what one of your very favorite dog breeds is. I know- what an unfair question!! That said, I'll share mine: Pugs, Japanese Chins, Corgis (both Welsh and Pembroke), Jack Russell Terriers, Boston Terriers, to name but a few... Hey wait a minute, that was more than one. No fair!

Enter Twice Blog, Facebook or Twitter about my Party Animals Book Giveaway blog post. Then, blog comment again on my blog telling me where you posted about it, and you will be entered twice.

That's it!

Deadline to enter: Friday, September 25 12:00 AM EST.


Oh...There's one more thing: Starting on October 15, ALL of the original artworks featured in the book "Party Animals" will be auctioned off on Ebay (read more here on A Place To Bark's site)! That's right - every piece of original art featured in the book will be up for bid, and ALL proceeds will go to A Place To Bark. (Bow) Wow! I'll be sharing more information on the auction next month and as it becomes available on my blog.



25 Comments on Enter To Win a copy of Party Animals book!, last added: 10/3/2009
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8. We are all "Party Animals" for A Place To Bark!



I recently took part in a truly wonderful art project. I, along with 20 other pet portrait artists, were invited to create and contribute works of art to be published in a uniquely themed art book.

It's called "Party Animals", and if you remember last years' benefit art book that I contributed to and blogged about ("Dogs Rule"), this one could be considered a "Part Two" of sorts. Jill Beninato of Sit Stay Smile is the responsible "party" for "Party" -- she spearheaded the "Dog's Rule" project herself and made it all happen! She came back at us with "Party Animals" this year . Once again it is an honor to be a contributor. Like last year, this years' book includes art images that were specifically created for the project by each of the artists. The interpretation of the theme of "Party Animals" was the goal, and each artist was given free reign!

(See "You Tube" video demo series of my watercolor painting for the "Party Animals" book)

This time though, the party is even BIGGER and more shareable (yes, that's really a word - I looked it up), because, unlike last years' project, ANYONE can enjoy a beautiful copy of this years' collaborative project because copies are for sale, with ALL proceeds - every nickel - going to benefit A Place To Bark. (Plus, your purchase is entirely tax-deductible.)

I can tell you first-hand that the quality of the printing and binding of this 'zine is gorgeous and lovely. I am proud to have my work in the book, and to be among so many other extremely talented artists who are not only each boldly unique in their own artistic voices, but who are also very generous and caring people who are all joined by our love and support of animal welfare. Because the entire monetary proceeds of the 'zine go directly to A Place To Bark, you know that your $20 purchase is making a HUGE positive impact. (The great art, beautiful printing, and inspiring words in this book make it truly gift-worthy as well).

If THAT isn't ENOUGH, the ORIGINAL ARTWORKS printed in the 'zine will be auctioned off on Ebay on October 15, with all benefits going to A Place To Bark. Mark your calendars!!

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