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.

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.

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!

Rainy afternoon here in the Atlanta area…the dogs, knowing it is a rainy day are taking naps…Rocky at my feet, Gemma behind me and Niki curled up in the doggie bed to my left. They know there will be no fun adventures this afternoon. The weather of course is what inspired the above…”Dog Walk”. The fall weather is wonderful to get you up and doing something fun with your furry friends, even if it is raining out!

Gift Certificates available throughout the Holiday Season!

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.

I love to paint the relationship we humans have with our four legged friends. Nothing better to view then the love and respect we have for them. While yes, we are the care givers to these magnificent creatures, they give so much themselves…and they teach us soooo much and of course….they listen…listen to all of our secrets.

I love the water….the sound, smells…so relaxing

I like to watch those that hang out with their furry friends. Just makes me smile. So often we just do not make the time for them….always saying tomorrow…sadly, their life spans are short…too short. Make every moment count, have some fun…play laugh enjoy the many moments you have to share together

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?