Monday, April 11, 2011

Take the time to get the sketch right...

Working today on the sketch for a portrait of my friend's lab.  I really want it to be special, as their very special dog passed away suddenly and unexpectedly.  So, I am sketching from her photos, and lately I really want to get out the paint, so I am trying to take my time and get the sketch right.   Always a little more challenging when it is someone's baby, they know every angle of their dog, so it has to be right, not just "close enough".

Meanwhile, I did get out the paints!  Worked a little on the new Wilderness Challenge of Gary Keimig's, two swans in the water.  I do find painting water to be a little intimidating so I just dove right in! (so to speak).  

http://wildernessartchallenge.blogspot.com/

13 comments:

  1. Lovely swans, Maria! I can hardly wait to see some of your lab sketches [good idea to first get some really perfect sketches]

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  2. Still a work in progress...but thank you Kathryn! I wish you were working on a black lab instead of yellow....I could use some more pointers on this one!

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  3. Lovely swans and water too! Maria, looking forward to see the lab sketch and painting, our Daisy is a lab too! Such sweet sweet dogs, sorry for their loss and I know your painting will be a treasure! take care,Diana

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  4. Your swans are beautiful !

    and you're right, an owner knows every inch!
    I have a black lab on my website.. actually a few paintings :) Is there anything I can help with?

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  5. Thanks Diana, and Pat too, I hope to get going on this portrait this week, I will keep you posted on how it goes, although I won't post pix until the owners get to see it. The labs do have the sweetest personalities. Pat I am going to look on your site to get a look at your black lab, I find the black dogs and horses a little slippery when it comes to colors, thanks for your help.

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  6. I know what you mean about getting it right. Lots of added pressure when it's someone elses pet or children.

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  7. Your swans are looking great, Maria! Good luck with the lab- sounds like a definite challenge. I have only painted my own dogs and know that the trick is getting their personality to show- you will do a great job!

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  8. Ok, take home message here...I am looking to capture her personality....I am on it! Photos soon......I am back to work.

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  9. Great job on the swans! You'll do fine with the memorial of the dog.

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  10. Thank you, I think my lab sketching is complete, first watercolor washes tomorrow!

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  11. Fantastic job. Yes, the sketch, the composition HAVE to be right, or the whole thing is lost!

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  12. Wow! I really like the look of those swans Maria! Especially the water, it looks great. :) I can't wait to see the lab painting.

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  13. Thanks Kelley and Crystal, I think I may be procrastinating a bit on my lab portrait......but I will get back on it, promise.

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