Anne Hathaway

Finally finished Anne Hathaway! Also started a painting to enter Royal Academy Summer exhibition. No details yet, but I'll fill you in later! I've committed myself to enter now.

Dragon rider

As it was Siobhan's birthday this week I thought I'd do one of her. I used mica powder on the dragon, it gives a lovely iridescent effect but it isn't very transparent so it's difficult to get a good 3d effect. This was my third attempt and is the best likeness of all my attempts.

Pink panther cake!

No caricatures today, birthday party to organise for my daughter. So here's the cake. I'm quite pleased with it, I'm not that keen on cake decorating, never happy with the results, not like clay or paint. So to be quite pleased is doing well for me. I also made my first pinata (I haven't worked out how to do accents yet-sorry) which is supposed to be a dragon - I hadn't realised it was Chinese New Year, honest - but I did intend it to look like a chinese dragon. I had some help with the painting of the head from Siobhan, I would have done it differently. Not bad for a first effort and definitely worth the effort to see their faces. Especially Andrew!!!!!!!!! He looks a bit worried.

See the picture below!

Anne Hathaway - B/W

This morning I started a watercolour sketch of the village school and then drove to Corby to collect some canvases I won on ebay. Even with the travelling they were worth it. Just need to paint them now. That took most of my painting time.

This evening I started a pinata for my daughter's birthday - paper mache...

This is my portrait effort for today. It probably won't get painted until Saturday, I have a birthday party to organise and a Pink Panther cake to decorate, as well as finish the Pinata. I might post them instead...

Uma Thurman - pencil sketch

A pencil offering today and a regular portrait, I don't seem to be doing too many normal portraits. I'm trying to post more often, so I thought I'd publish now. - even though it's late. There just aren't enough hours in the day to do all I want... So here's Uma,

I've decided I'm going to enter the Royal Academy's Summer exhibition. Not long to do it, entry is mid March and handing in day's in early April. I have an idea so I ordered 2 canvases on Sunday and they arrived today. The only trouble was there were 2 vertical tears about 6 inches long right down the middle of one. I phoned the company who are sending a replacement and I get to keep the pair with the damaged ones. So waste not want not - I feel a collage coming on - Shoelaces and eyelets might be featuring heavily...

Watch this space.

Racing Car/Football caricature

This is the commission I completed Friday - strictly speaking Saturday as I had to lighten a few colours on Saturday morning. It was a bit of a squeeze fitting it in with my eldest being ill. Also the suspension had me cross-eyed on a few occasions - I was working on an image of a black car with little definition. Having said all that, I am pleased with the result and this morning received the following response from the Client.

"Thank you very much for [the caricature] and getting it done so quickly. You really did a brilliant job.

If you ever need any recommendations or quotes if you advertise at all, feel free to ask me."

Well worth it!!!!!!

Brad Pitt - completed

Well he's painted at last. Not too sure about my exploding cloud, need to do a little checking and maybe modify. Otherwise the colouring is how I want it. I bought a lamp today, I'll get the daylight bulb to go in it tomorrow (now I know the size)then I can work more effectively at night. This week I've also continued with an oil painting of Stratton Audley and completed another oil picture of Aberdovey. My last commission was collected yesterday, I'll post it tomorrow.

Life getting in the way of art.

Progress on commission is slow, not because I'm having any trouble with the drawing, just the demands of family life. It's taking shape nicely, as is Brad Pitt, what little I've done. Daylight, or lack of it is also hindering progress, I really must get a daylight bulb so I can do more colour work in the evenings. I've added a couple of widgets to the blog, I really need to get more feedback to see what's working and what isn't.

Brad Pitt - line drawing

Started this picture of Brad Pitt yesterday, then got a phone call about a commission needed for Sunday. Except I'm away from Friday so it's going to be deadline Friday! No pressure then. I thought I'd post my progress rather than post nothing. I might call it "A quiet life!"

David Beckham, quick sketch

Rather than post nothing for several days I thought I'd do a quick black and white sketch, I need to return to producing pictures in more volume of to hone my sketching skills. Recent offerings have tended to be completed pictures.

I've mainly been working on oil paintings today, landscapes... I've a few ideas I want to develop and improve my oil painting techniques. I've also been exploring more online outlets for my art and competitions.

Christmas commission

Finally able to post this picture which was done prior to Christmas. This one was fun to do but I had to wait a while for pictures. Now I'm going to look for some more celebrity pics, not sure who to do...

Uma Thurman

Happy New Year! First offering of the 2009, Uma Thurman a la "Kill Bill", I'm not sure whether I'm happy with this one. Had to fiddle, as it went wonky on the lines during the inking in, and I never feel quite as happy when I have to fiddle. It's taken me a while, we were away over the New year although had time to draw my youngest kept bouncing over me which makes drawing a challenge, to say the least. The drink and lack of sleep didn't help much either. I knew there was a reason why I don't drink very much! Listen to me, New Year's resolution, stop moaning and keep working on things until I'm happy with them!

So, now for my next effort...