This weeks “Your Pets Painted Portrait” is Ashie the Golden. I wish I could share a few things about Ashie, other then just how adorable s/he is….but I cannot. Hopefully Ashie’s person will write a little something. For those that would like to see their (just click on the link for more info) Pets Painted Portrait Here.

Life has been very hectic and I have been a bad girl by not posting ;-( Yep…I have an excuse…first I was sick for what seemed like weeks…..PC trouble….big time. So, a new one was purchased and now time must be made to load the software…oh, and I am redoing the office so before the pc can find it’s home on my oh so very crowded desk, painted and new blinds must be installed. Does not sound like much….just needing the time to get it all done. Ohhhh and did I mention the DOGS….very cute but soooo very demanding.

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 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.

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

Upon my return home yesterday my pack let me know right off the bat that it was just unacceptable that I left them behind. I cannot really blame them…they are used to having me hang around, or if I leave, so too do they. They were left in the very best of care….received enough play, attention. Still, they are way to accustomed to having me around. So in between catching up….I have had to groom, give hugs and of course lots of outside time playing. No….not at all spoiled!

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!

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!!!

Yes…I slipped and fell the other day….Ouch! Then the next day I decided to groom the dogs in the morning…you know trim the fur, dremel the nails….I did this sitting on the tile….a few hours later and I just knew I would pay for it….they would have to wait another day to be bathed. That day was today….with the temps dropping at night, well it just may be one of the last outside baths they will get until next spring….or of course I could feed the hose from the bathroom….all the way through the back of the house so that the water temp. can be controlled.

Michael took pity on me and pitched in and helped… started with Rocky, while he was being dried I bathed Niki….then Mike did Gemma. So, all three clean and yes… my back is still killing me. Please note I really have little ability as far as being a “groomer”, however I make them look neat and clean. It is soooo much less stress on the dog if you learn to do it yourself….not to mention the gas you would save, and of course the bathing and grooming money could be used for something else.

Holiday season is here…..running out of time for giving personalized photo gifts, or a painted portrait. Gift certificates will be available throughout the Holiday seaon.

Sometimes it just all comes down to a balancing act

Gift Certificates Available!