A second version, cropped, looser brushstrokes and a slightly different expression.

Just a quick painting created In Corel Painter for our Digitally Painting Animals On-line Course. Next week we should have a few versions of this to post when students submit their assignments. If interested in upcoming classes please visit: On-Line Courses. 

The original photograph that I used for this painting was taken using a wide angle lens on a Nikon d300. ..I was just a few inches from Rocky….I at least think he is adorable and so very serious at times.

The above is a quick 10 minute doodle created yesterday for a forum I am a member of. I fell in love with the thought of a boy and his dog fishing I have started working on a piece that I hope conveys the wonderful friendship between a boy and his dog.

Contact Dee to Commission work or to schedule a photography session.

Lovely creatures! Swans can live up to 35 years and mate for life!

 We simply adore our furry friends!

Sharing our lives with them is very beneficial. I know in my daily existence they get me away from the PC . We all know sitting in front of the PC for long durations is not very good for us! Working from home is also a bit lonely, you do not have the opportunity to see people….the dogs keep me very busy and saved me from a life of talking to myself….well OK, I still talk to myself but not as much

As with any relationship it does take a bit of work….due to the fact I have three dogs in my pack I must vacuum….allot. Also….mopping the floor is now one of my daily chores, not to mention the fact that I can never wear black again, only colors that hide the fur.  One MUST spend time with them…doing things they like to do….walks, ball tossing, only fair as they are always doing the things you like to do etc. As I have written so many times, you must also train them…they in turn do the same with you. If you think I am exaggerating just think about it….they tell you to feed them, they tell you to rub their butts, they shove toys in your face to get you to play with them…yes indeed, they train their human friends better then most humans I know train them!!!!

Sharing one’s life with a furry friend is a win/win situation and to be honest I cannot imagine my life with out them!

For those of us that share our lives with these wonderful creatures….well you all know this look…as I am sure you have said “Leave It” more then once

Sometimes you just have to let the image speak for itself!

Digitally Painting Animals online course starts up next week….e-mail me if you enrolled and have not yet received information to join the forum.

Contact Dee to Commission work or to schedule a photography session.

Lovely Baily…in color at that. This is pretty much the early scribbles of a portrait. Let me also add….today is April Fools day….yep April 1st….only a couple more weeks to get your images to me for a portrait or sketch for Mother’s Day , as always Gift Certificates available all the time.

Contact Dee to Commission work or to schedule a photography session.

A girl and her dog of course Still very much as works in progress, but it is taking shape very nicely. Also trying to finish up on the Chickadee Painting all the while taking breaks throughout the day trying to get to several projects started and play with the dogs. Very spoiled they are….sun is shining, warmer spring temps here in the Atlanta area…three dogs at back door…..wanting to run, chase butterflies and play, play , play.

Print give away sometime this week….so for those interested stay tuned!!!

Contact Dee to Commission work or to schedule a photography session.

Still very much a works in progress….but getting closer.

This is just the start of this painting…had a few minutes, however probably will not complete until next week. Still doing “Spring” cleaning around the house, as am I trying to get my office somewhat sorted through so the new desk can be built and installed and the Mac will have a home. A couple of things well worth mentioning….Learning to Paint Animals starts up mid April so do enroll to reserve your spot, class size is small. Also….the “Give Away” Print will be posted sometime next week. So for those wanting to win a print…stay tuned for further instructions.

The Carolina Chickadee’s are so tiny and wonderful, they visit the feeders throughout the year, however you can really notice the flock<s> throughout winter. The pair bond between a male and female Carolina Chickadee can remain intact for several years. The probability that a pair will remain together seems to vary among populations, with nearly all pairs remaining together in subsequent years in a study in Texas, but only half staying together in a study in Tennessee. If a nest attempt fails, a female may seek out a new male on a different territory.

Contact Dee to Commission work or to schedule a photography session.

I get soooo many questions about smudge painting….so easy. Classes are not needed all you have to do is PRACTICE. The above was a demo that took about 10-15 minutes to complete….you of course would take your time and do a much better job of it then I….this is just a very quick demonstration. In Photo-shop make your adjustments, after making a duplicate of course….I wanted the above to be soft….so I sharpened (usm)….just not a lot…..adjusted contrast, saturation, levels. Then clicked on the smudge tool and chose my brush. Very important once started to to vary brush size, strength…lighten, darken in those areas that need it (you can even add color).

I know so many that do the eyes this way as well….I just blacken them and paint in what I want.You can smudge the background….or just paint on layers with several different colors…adjusting the opacity along the way. It is soooo important to make sure you cover the entire image….push those pixels around. I use smudge painting when I am short on time and need to show a proof, or for retouching an image…or just want an overall softness to an image. There are so many wonderful examples on the net….really the best way to learn is to practice, practice and more practice.The above image was taken with a Nikon 5200 a couple of years ago. The dog…my beloved Phoenix who died last July. While I think of him so very often…the arrival of spring he has so been on my mind. Our walks looking for wonderful things to photograph…fun times playing and doing agility. Yes…I do so miss my Phoenie…

On a brighter note… first day of spring. Rocky the Golden is getting over an injury, yet again. While his Pano has improved, he hurts himself so very easily.Yesterday I happened to spy my first Monarch butterfly for the season….what a lovely dance it put on flitting here and there. Rocky, with Frisbee in mouth spied it and soon both he and the butterfly were what seemed to be chasing one another…Rocky, running, spinning…until the butterfly flew over the fence. Poor Rocky, still with Frisbee in mouth just looking over the fence. My camera was inside, of course, and I knew well enough best to watch the dance then dash off for the camera. Maybe another day. Nice to know my big goofy Golden is still very much a puppy a heart.

Contact Dee to Commission work.

Life Is Short is a whimsical painting of a Golden sitting on the Pause Table (Agility) when a lovely butterfly passes over head distracting the dog…for the dog knows it is most  important to enjoy life to it’s fullest….always taking time to play, wag and sniff….whenever, wherever!
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