There are so many ways to paint a quick colorful background in Corel painter, this is just one. You can work from one copy rather then making a clone, that was done to smooth the color out and as mentioned this is a very fast and easy method.

Is so very easy and the above portrait of a lovely and might I also add….so very lively Corgi named Scarlet shows just how easy painting fur is. This was a commissioned portrait and I actually was the one that photographed her while she and her person were visiting to help Scarlet socialize with other dogs…the original images had several dogs in the image. I copped the image below to show Scarlet alone.

 The entire portrait was created using the pastels in Corel Painter…and of course the blenders…even the background. You can paint as traditional and or  as photo realistic as you or your client prefer, or as colorful.  A special fur brush is not at all needed….although you could adjust the setting to any brush to give it a more tapered look at the end. Be creative and Never be afraid to just paint

Today finds it well below freezing here in the Atlanta area…a bit chilly. Of course my”pack” does not at all mind the chilly temps, they enjoy running and romping, going for walks, etc. Before the cold front came through earlier in the week Bailey and I were out wandering around when I spied buds on the Bradury Trees…and I mean all three were covered. I hope todays painting gives you warm thoughts of spring…its on it’s way

I am at the moment sitting in my very cozy, warm studio working on several paintings. I hope to finish the Beagle portrait from yesterday later today…hopefully I will be posting it tomorrow.

The last few days I have received numerous inquires from several in regards to Corel Painter Seminars and Workshops….for it seems there are soooo many being offered scattered about the country. Sadly, I have not ever attended any. I am not at all sure I could actually sit through one. As I type that I am smiling for there is one…. I would more then love to visit San Fransisco. I would of course have to make the time and schedule it just so that I can attend one of Jeremy Sutton’s workshops. He seems to be fun, creative and very original and it appears he leads the way for others to follow. In my Pawfect Pet Portraits, and Digitally Painting Animals online courses I recommend as a must have one of his books for he offers a wonderful collection of brushes that should be in everyones brush collection. In visiting his site for a few links I notice he has something new coming this month!! The next few weeks I’ll do my best to mention a few others that are offering Workshops and Seminars that if I had the time and thought I could actually sit through…I would attend.

Today finds me with several things on my Digital Easel…a Golden, Beagle and Horse, and on my pastel easel another golden. The above painting is still very much it’s early stages…I hope to complete it sometime tomorrow. Something about a Beagle…you cannot help but fall in love with their eyes…oh and that nose. The many things they can sniff out….such a wonderful breed.

Poor golden pup, waiting for someone to play with him. I love painting puppies…their expressions are priceless….and oh my, they grow and change so very fast.

The “Pawfect Pet Portrait” will be starting the end of the month. This is a small group course held in our forum, $45.00 per student.  It will be in the shopping cart by the end of the week. Also, for those that prefer learning at their own pace you can purchase the Digiatlly Painting Animals and the course is e-mailed to one lesson per week within a 24 hour period of purchasing.

Like many Americans, I sat in the comfort of my home this morning and watched our 44th President get sworn in. It was a lovely ceremony and I must say the musicians did a wonderful job with the music that was written for the occasion…the poem that was read, outstanding. The speech, yes in deed, very eloquently written and read. Sadly for this President….well, things are a mess and so many looking to him to fix all of our countries ailments, which he cannot. Things will no doubt improve….in time.

To those inquiring as to where I had disappeared to since the Holidays. Thank You so much for asking about me….I am still here….still photographing animals, and of course painting them. I have been very busy with the new pup….and then this terrible cough, cold that  just cannot seem to shake….and then…PC troubles.

I stand tall searching the sky…

I turn my head and as I do…

The warm rays absorb through me.

I am invigorated…

I follow that warmth throughout the day.

I am a Sun Flower and I am standing Tall.

A close up view of something started long ago and for whatever reason was placed a side….sometimes it is as simple as the fact I have lost my ability to focus on it….at other times it is because I have deadlines to meet and I just never find my way back. Until that day when I rediscover it and…for lack of a better phrase….it haunts me. Still very much in the early stages I have once again been adding some details here and there as I also have commission work that is a bit more pressing as far as a deadline….I am looking forward to completing this by the New Year.

This painting is all about that very first love….so pure and innocent and those feeling of anguish….what if he/she does not like me back?

Do you remember your very first love?

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Just another shore bird you may be thinking…well if you watched the news at all yesterday this little bird made headlines. Weighing in no more then a pound in a half these tough little birds are now known to fly the pacific, non stop…as many as 7, 242 miles in their annual fall migration from Alaska to New Zealand. Amazing, so often we forget to marvel at such a thing. So in honor of this little bird I took a little bit of time to paint.

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This Sunday found me busy working. Doing the prep work on a couple of new portraits…as I am not the photographer on all paintings I create it can at times be a little challenging, especially if the animals are deceased and the original photographs are not very good. So…after running through PS and making the adjustments that will give me the best detail to see, I started painting. I got to thinking and I know, I have written this before…take the time to get a few wonderful photographs of your furry friends…easy to do if taking them yourself. I cannot imagine not having the many wonderful images of my beloved pets….know that in your local area I bet there is a pet photographer or two…well worth the investment…even in these troubled times….I photograph people and their pets all the time as I no doubt other pet photographers do….so make it a family affair and get some great images!!!!

So…during my break the above was painted…Niki in color!