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

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.

Today finds it to be an overcast….damp….rain on and off kind of day. Having some free time I took the opportunity to play with Nikkor’s 50 mm AF S lens and I must say it is exactly what I have read and been told….Sweet It is really about time Nikkor updated some of the old favs. Wonderful Bokeh, and oh so quiet motor….fast enough for the puppies….and of course wonderful for inside and low light situations (1.4)!!! Other then resizing for the web, these images have-not been manipulated.

Since I had the time I decided it was time to “try” and get the pup to know just what he should do around the camera, of course we will need several more sessions for these were really just “luck” shots. When the pups were about 7 weeks old the breeder had sent a photograph to all of the new puppies families of all the puppies in the pen napping. The position that most were in made you smile….there was one pup that had actually climbed on top of one of the crates and was napping on it….half on, half off….can you guess which pup it was?

Even though the three adults are sooooo used to having their pic taken….when adding a new pup to the pack you have to have some patience….at this point the pup is actually a little shark with fur,!!! The other dogs do not want to be placed next to him….they will all learn…and really each will do anything for a treat

Yes indeed…it really is. When our Golden Phoenix died over a year ago…well our little pack of three was just not the same. While Phoenix can never be replaced it was time to add another Golden to our pack….bringing our three pack, up to a four pack.

While only with us a couple of days…he has made himself right at home.

After the meet and greet it was time to explore the new surroundings…everything had to be taken in, smelled…rolled in

Just look at that face…oh how he just melts our hearts!!!

Looking up at the A-Frame….just maybe one day he will be an agility dog??

And yes….Puppy Breath

He plays hard, and nap time….he sleeps soundly. Now, before you all run out for no doubt I have so enticed a few of you to get yourselves a pup…it is hard work. They need you there to potty train, crate train and of course teach them to have a soft mouth, what not to chew on. Just like with our children the most precious thing you can give is your time.

Rocky finally has a brother…Bailey (Baileys Irish Cream…yum) and yes…a little R & B is indeed good for your soul. Check back once in a while to se how Bailey is growing….oh and look for his training puppy training video’s which will be posted on occasion.

Gift Certificates available for Holiday Gifts!!!

The pack and I have been on a much needed vacation. Since it was Thanksgiving, I was in charge of cooking dinner. Funny how we become accustomed to things, this stove was electric, I am used to gas. I delegated and had family members bring a dish…a dear friend from the west coast of FL joined us and she brought vodka, cosmos mix and my ever favorite….liqueur for chocolate martini’s….not to mention a mix for a bloody mary….delicious!!!

I must say the Turkey, gravy and all the fixins were wonderful…even better since we all particiapted. Great Food, wonderful company….one of the best Thanksgiving I have had a long time!!! Maybe, just maybe a new tradition is in the works!

Like most….too much food, a drink or two…time to work it off and just enjoy the surroundings. The pack enjoyed a nice lonnnng walk…as we walked and looked around… we all realized just how very Thankful we are!!! St. Augustine is so very lovely….and so very dog friendly…dogs must be leashed on the beach and please….PLEASE pick up after your canine friends whereever you go with them!!!

Sun, sand, cool weather….good food, wonderful company, it can get no better then this!

Several of you have been asking why I am soooo very picky about the images you send to me for a painted portrait. It is all int he details my dear friends, if they are not there how can I paint your furry friend? So, the quality of the image is important. If you are trying to photograph more then one furry friend….it just may be easier for you to take a few of them alone and then I can put them all together when painting. The above image was taken and just as I pressed the shutter release a squirrel jumped from the house to a tree….they did manage to keep their stay ….good dogs!

Send several images showing your dogs personality, the above shows Gemma…on a nice day when we are out in the yard you will often find her over seeing her surroundings…she keeps an eye on all of her pack members. Get them playing, napping and just hanging out.

All of the above images flash was used, notice that there is no red eye….make sure your camera is set for red eye control if using flash…rather then photographing your furry friends inside…do it outside in natural light and if flash is used it will be fill flash (best if your flash is off). If, you must get a few inside images do so near a window (natural light is really the best).

Don’t be afraid to get close, or make use of your zoom lens. Get close ups of your pets face (making sure your in focus). Bend down, lie down….whatever it takes to get several great shots. Please note your dogs will be so very excited, or some may even be a little frightened of your camera…relax, make it fun. Have a few tasty morsels, a fun toy….an empty potato chip bag (the noise will help get them to look at you). For some dogs you just may need a helper….you Can also make use of your leash for better control….just make sure nothing important is blocked! Cats….a few fun toys should do the trick!!!

During our mid morning break the pups managed a good romping around the yard and then, just relaxed. Lovely, cool fall morning…leaves falling all around us, nice breeze…and the dogs just enjoying taking everything in. Then…as I turned, camera in hand I noticed Niki sharing a few secrets with Rocky It was soon time for us to head back inside for me to resume work…I did so with a smile, thinking about how the three dogs so enjoy one another’s company.

Lately I have been looking at a few dogs to add one to the pack, another Golden. I am not at all in any rush as I want the right dog that can fit into the pack….also, would like to get past Thanksgiving before adding. I have been visiting a couple of the local rescue organization….several wonderful dogs looking for their forever homes. Always tough when you have so many to choose from….so stay tuned to see if we actually find another pack member!

Only a few more photography days left so if interested in a photo session now is when you want to make your appointment. Also, those wanting a painted portrait…only another two weeks or so to get your orders in to me Please know gift certificates available throughout the holiday season (for photo sessions, painted portrait, online classes).

Sometimes it just all comes down to a balancing act

Gift Certificates Available!

In this day and age…we all are so very busy…still we must make time to just play…in my case  I love to scribble (for those more sensitive to my choice of wording…simply put…Doodle). With my memories of the beach, the dogs and of course the fun we had I took the opportunity during a short break this afternoon to just scribble. Not a care in the world, no worries about exact likeness….just scribbling away…all the while I was smiling. Like so many of my scribbles, this one is not yet completed for it was time to get back to work….still, I had fun

When was the last time you took a little break to just play?

Last couple of days has found the Atlanta area with storms rolling through due to Fay. She has not yet fizzled out. We do need the rain so no complaints in that area….we can all do without the Tornado watches and of course the warnings. Sun is out at the moment so hopefully she has moved through.

Today found me standing in line at the local DDS for my license is about to expire. I could have done this online, however I forgot all about it until it was too late. So….standing on line and I noticed a young girl with her Mom. The young girl seemed so excited and very happy….seems she passed her test and was about to get her license. She was adorable and I so wish I had a camera for her expression was just priceless. I asked the Mom if her cell was a camera phone….why yes she replied looking at me very suspiciously. I smiled and said that a genuine look of happiness should never be wasted….as soon as she was given her license Mom should take a few photographs. The Mom smiled and said she had not even thought of that….out came the cell and a few photographs were taken.

Once back home I had so many things to do that, well are just not fun. Paperwork…sending out files to be printed…cooking a pot roast and making time to dust off the flash….something I just do not use that much and getting a few practice shots inside for I will have to use it this weekend. I have wonderful models If the weather holds out and sun continues to shine I will have to take them out back for some fill flash test shots. Always take a few practice shots when dusting your flash unit off…if it has been a while use fresh batteries….really, you will Thank me for that bit of advice

The above images are right out of the camera (just resized then cropped). Nikon D300, sigma wide angel and Nikon Flash.