David Beckham

I'm really not happy with the eyes on this one. I've been trying to keep them light as the original picture was in shadow but I think I've succeeded in making him look Demonic! I'm making no comments... I've decided to post it anyway and look for a better photo. I think I'll keep the same background though!

Liv Tyler

I had a bit of a dilemma with this one. I found a really nice one of her smiling where her teeth were showing but somehow it looked less like her than than the one I finally used where her teeth are hidden. The mischievousness was gone. I'm not really sure what I'm trying to achieve in the background, either. Other than the red carpet I had no other strong convictions about what to include and I think it shows.

Ant n Dec revisited

I decided to work up the background a bit more, I think it works better, although as I'm typing this I've spotted something which needs touching up, do I want to post it again? Hmmm....... I'll still do the touch ups though then continue with Liv Tyler, without elf ears!

"Ant n Dec"

Finally finished another picture, black and white, although I might make another attempt in colour. I'm not convinced the tiger is right, added a bit too quickly.

I still fancy doing them with the one body...

Where does the time go

No new pictures yet. I've been working on another commission - which I can't post until after Christmas. Lots of family things have been keeping me busy and away from drawing. I will try and do something for inclusion tonight. Not sure who as I'm feeling very uninspired at the moment.

Tom Cruise meets Ken Dodd

As I was drawing this it occurred to me that the humour would probably be lost on a few people. Specifically, as about 50% of the traffic to my blog is from the US, roughly 50% worth unless they have spent time in the UK,( in the 1960's and 70's). I'm showing my age here. Despite that, I had to do it.

For those who still don't understand the joke look up "Ken Dodd"and "Diddy men" on google. I did think "off to see cousin Mick" (the marmaliser) might be a good title. The reference is old, I know, but as I was thinking about settings/background all I could think of was "He's short", pantomimes, then the Diddymen... I really must get out more!

This was my second attempt and by far the better likeness. It's A3...see previous posts for my feelings on those. I need to do some touching up - just spotted I need to do a few bits to the eyes- and may add the title then.

Competition

Well, didn't win anything in the competition. There's still "best in show" but, judging by how the other votes went, that's unlikely. All the winners were architectural pictures. I wasn't too impressed with the top 2 winners -intermediate and experienced. That's not to say they were bad. It's not really sour grapes either, although I was disappointed and would have liked to have won. It's just I thought there were plenty more worthy candidates, ones I would have been happy to lose to! Looking around, I think my entry was too challenging for the style of competition. The winners were fairly safe and obvious interpretations of the theme. I know for next time, do something that's a local view of Buckingham and I'll stand a better chance! Anyway, all part of the learning curve -oh no cliche alert! I must look into some other competitions and get my head down to some serious painting...

I'll be back!

Cameron Diaz

My latest offering, Cameron Diaz. I've been thinking about doing Cameron for a while and now I have. As always, things could be improved but I don't think I'll ever stop saying that. There is always room for improvement. I'm happy with the likeness in spite of my usual niggles.

Tomorrow I have to submit my painting to the art competition at Akeley Village Hall. It's just on for the weekend but it's a bit of local exposure. Let's see how I do.

I've received another commission, a colour one this time, I don't have the full details yet. I've also agreed to do a fantasy portrait as "lot" in a charity auction on 22nd November which is more exposure.

Now who should I do tomorrow?

Andrew and Kylie Minogue

Time to post in earnest. After a week away, another finishing off my commission and another on the competition entry, I'm finally back to my regular caricatures. It's my husband's birthday today so I did this little number for him. He likes canals!

Today I worked on the picture of Kylie, I'm not 100% happy with it so I may have to have another go. The mouth isn't to my liking. I may tweak this one first, iron out the wrinkles. I like the general layout and the tiny body though.