Portrait Marathon: #19 - Mosa!

Mosa
acrylic on canvas, 5 x 5
© Xan Blackburn

Aaaa-aand I'm DONE!  Pretty Mosa is the last painting in this winter's Portrait Marathon, and what a smiley girl to wrap things up with!  Mosa has good reason to smile!  She was rescued from Ring Dog Rescue.  Need I say more??

Thanks to everyone that participated in this Winter Portrait Marathon!  It was a total blast.  I hope you all enjoy the portraits at least as much as I did!

Now for a heads-up!  Those of you who've been waiting for a spot on the commission list, pay attention!  I'll be sending out a newsletter opening the list to my subscribers, first, then announcing it here and elsewhere.  The marathon sign-up form worked so well for me that I'll be using a similar form for the commission list, with the link to the form right in the newsletter (then here, if it doesn't fill up right away).  For more information about how my commission list works, see the link above.

Mosa - detail
© Xan Blackburn

Mosa - reference with background concept

Mosa - in progress
background is in, drawing and underpainting in progress
© Xan Blackburn

Mosa - in progress
nothing left but the details!
© Xan Blackburn

Portrait Marathon: Iker, #18

Iker
acrylic on canvas, 5 x 5
© Xan Blackburn

Iker!  This loooong face belongs to a galgo, a Spanish greyhound, rescued from unhappy circumstances and brought to Canada to live the life of love and luxury provided by his new mom and shared with his canine housemate, Treasure.  

His frightening history has left him feeling like the world is a very dangerous and untrustworthy place, but he's made huge strides since coming to N. America.  I imagined him coming into the light here.  Even if it sort of knocks him a bit sideways!  ;)  

Last but not least in the Marathon is Darlene's Mosa, who's smiling face is a real opposite to Iker's!

Iker - in progress
© Xan Blackburn

Portrait Marathon: Tex, #17

Tex
Acrylic on Aquabord, 5 x 5
© Xan Blackburn

Handsome, lovely, almost ethereal Tex!  His mom is a wonderful photographer, an artist in her own right, and I'm honored that she trusted me with interpreting one of her own images.

Despite a number of distractions today, and the fact that it's Day 19 of the marathon, and I'm pretty bushwhacked  Tex's portrait came together with a peaceful feeling of joy throughout.  Maybe his calm look soothed my rattled nerves, despite listening to the news reports of the school shooting ever hour, despite the cabin-fevered dogs getting into things every few minutes, despite my husband being in far-off Ghana for business.  It was like listening to "Silent Night" while death metal raged in the background.  Ah, holidays in the U.S.!

So, thanks, Tex.  Thanks Petra.

Tomorrow, the penultimate portrait, Robin's Iker.

Tex - in progress
© Xan Blackburn

Portrait Marathon: Hannah, #15

Hannah
acrylic on canvas, 5 x 5
© Xan Blackburn

Hannah Banana!  I'm told that she was getting told off right before the reference picture was taken, which explains the look in her eye to begin with.  Goodness knows what the little trouble-maker had gotten into!  I decided to give her a little more relaxed look however, as you can see in the progress pics below.  With her pink collar, and her softened brindling, I couldn't resist a sort of sunset range of colors in the background.
Pretty Hannah!  Now, stay out of trouble, young lady!




Next up is Liza's 6Pac, a break in the greyhound pattern, but still a hound.  A hound of a different color, you might say.

Hannah in progress
© Xan Blackburn

Portrait Marathon: Coltrane, #14

Coltrane
acrylic on canvas panel, 8 x 10
© Xan Blackburn 

Coltrane!  You'll be in my dreams tonight, I have no doubt!  

Your sleepy eyes, like banked coals on one side and striped with reflected grass on the other, your chin nestled in the grass, I want to lay down next to you and watch the clouds shift overhead with one hand idly stroking your sun-warmed fur.

*sigh*

Here are a few progress pics...

Coltrane - Detail
acrylic on canvas panel, 8 x 10
© Xan Blackburn 

Coltrane - in progress
acrylic on canvas panel, 8 x 10
© Xan Blackburn 

Coltrane - in progress
acrylic on canvas panel, 8 x 10
© Xan Blackburn 

Coltrane - in progress
acrylic on canvas panel, 8 x 10
© Xan Blackburn 

Portrait Marathon: #13 - Fletcher

Fletcher
acrylic on canvas, 5 x 5
© Xan Blackburn

Fletcher's mom is like me, I'm afraid: photographically challenged.  Alas, those of us suffering this affliction are lucky to avoid getting our thumbs on the lens.  After taking another try, we collected what we both agreed we'd better settle for, though it was still a bit vague.  So, what to do?  Invent detail, or keep the painting simpler, more impressionistic?
I sort of chose a middle ground.  This scan, despite my attentions in photoshop, insist on being more garish than subtle, which is a shame.  There's a lovely bit of shading to indicate the warm light bouncing up and around even on this shadowy side of his handsome face.  Well, at least his mom will see it, in person!

Next up, Rebecca's Coltrane!

Fletcher - in progress
© Xan Blackburn

Portrait Marathon: #12 - Wookie

Wookie
acrylic on canvas, 5 x 5
© Xan Blackburn

Wookie, a rescued borzoi who has blossomed in his loving home, is dear to my own heart.  His story could almost be that of my own girl, Katie (rescued from an awful "shelter" in S. Korea).  Like my own Katie, Wookie's self-confidence is still a little shaky, but with the love surrounding them, can only grow.

I had to do some rearranging on the list over the weekend, so if you're following along and confused ... join the club!  LOL  Looks like I''m going to make it all the way through the list, though, so that's good!    Here's who I have left, in current order:

• Jan Buckwalter
• Rebecca Rohrbeck
• Tena Keefe
• Liza Lopez Ortiz
• Petra Postma
• Robin Waldman
• Darlene Young

At this point, Darlene is the only one I do NOT have photos for yet.  I hope you're getting those ready for me, Darlene!  ;)

Alrighty.  I think I'll take a break for the night, and set to work fresh on Jan's Fletcher in the morning.

In the mean time, here's Wookie, in progress ...

Wookie, in progress
© Xan Blackburn

Portrait Marathon: #11 - Hajime

Hajime
Acrylic on canvas, 5 x 5
© Xan Blackburn

Hajime, or Haj, is a chow-husky mix, which you can see in his blue tongue and very direct glance (or, that's what I see, anyway!)  He's drop-dead gorgeous.  He is devoted to his mom.  This portrait is a gift from a friend, which is always so cool, to me!  Very sweet gift!

Tomorrow, I move on to ... I'm not sure!  Guess I'll find out tomorrow morning.

Hajime in progress
© Xan Blackburn

Portrait Marathon: #10 - Rosie!

Rosie
Acrylic on Claybord panel, 8 x 10
© Xan Blackburn

I've been reminded (ahem!) that I've been calling Rosie's housemate, Fuzzy, by the wrong name all over the place!  Hes not "Fluffy", he's "Fuzzy"!  Sheesh.

However, I'm pretty sure this is Rosie.

Rosie's portrait, at 8 x 10, did take me a bit longer than the smaller 5x5s I've also been doing.  You'll also notice that I've included the rest of her body.  She's just so ... fluffy ... It was hard to cut out just her head!  I figured, heck, I've got the room, and it will go better with the painting I did of FUZZY (ahem) earlier, so there ya go.  It's art: I can do what I want!  :D

Tomorrow, we move on to Joan's borzoi, Wookie!  Yeay!

Rosie - in progress
© Xan Blackburn

Portrait Marathon: #9 - Ruger!

Ruger
Acrylic on canvas, 5 x 5
© Xan Blackburn

Handsome Ruger!  His mom sent me a few pictures, and a description, as usual.  She described a protector, her "Sheriff", a "relaxed but aware" presence, always ready to lie down.
But the pictures she sent had me laughing out loud.  He looked to me like he had a goofy side, and, despite the more dignified description, his mom was choosing that goofy side to hold his memory.

I give you, Ruger.

Tomorrow, we have another bichon, the housemate to Fluffy; Rosie!

Ruger - in progress
© Xan Blackburn

Portrait Marathon: Alfie is #8

Alfie
Acrylic on canvas panel, 8 x 10
© Xan Blackburn

Alfie, the little love, is the brother to Fluffy, who's portrait I did awhile ago.  This cheerful guy is his people's boon companion, on trips to the Oregon beaches, or just to the back yard.  How can your resist this happy smile?  Nah, don't even bother trying.

Next, we're on to Kate's Ruger, who is the opposite of Alfie, being tall, narrow, and very non-fluffy!

Alfie in progress
© Xan Blackburn

Portrait Marathon: #7 - Tip Top!

Tip Top
Acrylic on Aquabord, 5 x 5
© Xan Blackburn

Tip Top's portrait was a special challenge in that I only had one photo to work from, which was small and low-resolution, as well as being fairly dim.  Her head is lit from the rear, leaving most of her face in shadow, with just a rim of ligh  Since she had passed, there was no opportunity to get any better pictures.  Still, this one held an almost dreamy magic, and she had this subtle Mona Lisa smile that was irresistible.

I was also using a painting surface new to me, and a little anxious how it would work.  Oh.  My.  GOSH!  I love it.  It's my new favorite, I think!  Aquabord (formerly known as claybord textured) solves the issues I've experienced with claybord (too smooth, shows brushstrokes in a most vexing way), and takes the paint beautifully.  Anyway, I'm really pleased with how it worked here.

Now, on to #8, Stefani's Alfie!

Tip Top - in progress
© Xan Blackburn

Portrait Marathon: #6 - Bee Wiseman

Bee Wiseman
acrylic on canvas panel, 8 x 10
© Xan Blackburn

Wow!  Miss Bee Wiseman is a fabulous creature!  Her mom sent me a bunch of photos, but this smile just could not be denied!  Even though she had not only the whole open-mouth challenge going, but the brindle thing as well, I just thought it was time in the marathon for a big happy face.

For some reason, I can't get the progress pics to save as an animated gif, as with the others, and it's late, so I'm just not going to trade sleep for fighting with it. Sorry!

I've fallen a bit behind my original burst of speed, but I do not despair!  The weekend stalled out when there was some bumps in the system, followed by a spurt of pictures and questions coming in that deserved to be dealt with promptly.  Tomorrow, I'm off and running with #7: Susan's greyhound girl, TipTop!

Portrait Marathon: #5 Miss Star

Note to future participants:  Have your photos ready!  Keep an eye on your email if you know your turn is coming up, so I don't have to skip over you.  ;)  

Miss Star
Acrylic on canvas
© Xan Blackburn

Star's portrait took a whole different direction than ... any portrait I've ever done, I guess!  Why is that?  Who knows?  A question for the Art Fates, and they're not talking.  (I know; I sent them a very polite email, left a few voice messages, sent a registered mail or two, and ... nothing.  Crickets chirping.)
Those of you who've been watching me for awhile know that I usually start with an underpainting to establish values, then glaze in colors and top with details.  Not Miss Star!  She had her own ideas!

Star's softly faded blue brindle, her sleepy-eyed gaze, her pink collar, and those little teeth revealed in her relaxed mouth, inspired a sort of hazy love affair.  Her coat looks just as her "mom" says; bunny soft, plush.  Somewhere in all that gentleness though is a sparky ol' gal, who will bark 'til you get it right, and I hope I got some of that in a certain pointedly self-confident look in her eyes.  She sees no competition for her crown, you might say.

So, Miss Star shed her soft light on my easel for awhile, to my great joy.  As her portrait moves to the varnishing and shipping side of the studio, Emily is up next, with her boy Dave.

Miss Star- in progress
© Xan Blackburn

Portrait Marathon: #4 Wali

Wali
Acrylic on panel (Claybord), 8 x 10
© Xan Blackburn

Whew!  Wali's portrait, on 8 x 10 panel, took me a little longer than the smaller 5 x 5 canvasses, but I could have been more efficient, I think.  Also, working on the very smooth panel requires a different touch, as it shows watery brush strokes in a that isn't always desirable to me.  I thought I would get around that by starting with a coat of gesso and paint, but alas, still took a bit of getting used to again.

Ah well.  He's done, and I really like the vibrant background setting him off, with that intelligent and friendly stare!

For my progress developing the painting, see the animation below.

Tomorrow, I have another larger painting, this one of a senior greyhound gal who is the Star of her home.

See you tomorrow!

Wali in progress
© Xan Blackburn

Portrait Marathon: #3 Riley

Riley
Acrylic on canvas, 5x5
© Xan Blackburn

 Gorgeous whippet-guy, Riley, with those smokey bedroom eyes ... I'm in looooove!

Riley has a brother who's portrait I did awhile back, with a sort of flowery background.  Riley's reference photos included one with a fallen leafy background, and I liked that, but didn't want to get too finicky with the leaf look, so I went with a more impressionistic approach, using the basic colors, and letting the details go.

Then I could concentrate on Riley's handsome face!  Yeah.

You can see how this painting took shape in the animation below, which I thought to add the reference photo to, along with my conceptualization (aka "sketch") of the background, and a couple close-ups of the finished painting at the end.

Next up is Craig's Wali.  Another whippet!  This guy is a smiley fella, white and brindle.  Tomorrow we'll see how his painting shapes up!

Riley - in progress
© Xan Blackburn

Sign-ups are officially closed!

I'm sure I've got more than enough people signed up, and I'm raring to start!  Here's the list, in the order you signed up.  Lots of familiar names on there!  :D (edited on 12/2 - those in italics are completed)

1. Jamie Esquivel
2. Laura Mahoney 
3. Christine DeClerk
4. Craig Bucher
5. Leslie Glynn
6. Tricia Goode
7. Susan Lawrence
8. Stefani SearlesF
9. Kris Whitters
10. Kate Howell
11. Joan Nussberger
12. Jennifer Bowman
13. Anne Myles
14. Jan Buckwalter
15. Rebecca Rohrbeck
16. Tena Keefe
17. Liza Lopez Ortiz
18. Petra Postma
19. Robin Waldman
20. Darlene Young

My procedure is to contact the first and second person, get the reference photos, and get the payment stuff out of the way, then start painting.  When I start the second painting, I'll contact the third person, so I'm always one ahead.  That way, if someone has to cancel, or I can't get through to someone, there's less hold-up, as I move on to contact the next person while I'm still painting.  

So, Jamie and Christine, I'll be contacting you shortly!

Meanwhile, back to Daddy and Lilly!

Meanwhile ...

Sara
Digital painting (ArtRage Studio Pro)
5" x 7"
© Xan Blackburn 2012

While sign-ups are going on, I still have some commissions to wrap up.

These two are digital paintings, of wolfhound mixes Sara and Roscoe.  Wow!  That was FUN!

(More below ... )

Roscoe
Digital painting (ArtRage Studio Pro)
5" x 7"
© Xan Blackburn 2012

Lily and Daddy
Acrylic on Canvas
11" x 14"
© Xan Blackburn 2012

I'm also working on the portrait of Lily and Daddy.  I'm now going to take a real run at it.  Here you can see that I've begun to wash in the warm vermillion that suffuses the painting with intimate warmth.

It's too big for my scanner, and my phone camera is pretty ... primitive, so the picture is not great.  Still, you get the general idea, right?

Okay, back to it!  Gotta finish this before the Marathon!!!

Portrait Marathon: Sign up TODAY

Sign-ups are open now for the Pre-Holiday Portrait Marathon!

If you missed it, here's the run down.  For three weeks, starting Monday, Nov. 26, I'll be busting through as many small portraits as I can get to, in the order you sign up.

As I start one portrait, I'll email the next person in line a PayPal link to pay for your portrait.  Once your payment is in, your place is secure, and your portrait will be next.

The only thing different this time around is that you will now have a few choices!

• 5" x 5", gallery-wrapped canvas for $80
• 5" x 5" panel for $80
• 8" x 10" panel for $150 specially priced for this marathon (that's $110 off!)

Both the panels and the gallery-wrapped canvas all look great framed or unframed.

One pet (ANY SPECIES!) per painting, and one painting per person, to spread the loooove!

As I go, I'll be showing you my progress on the blog.  I think it's fun to share the paintings as they evolve, and the excitement building along through the marathon.

To sign up and get your name on the list, fill out the form below.

Good luck, and thanks for playing along with me!!  

Pre-Holiday Pet Portrait MARATHON

We still have time to do this, so we're going for it!

Berger Picard "Daddy"
Work in progress
Acrylic on panel 8" x 10"
© Xan Blackburn 2012

MONDAY, Nov. 26 - Mon., Dec 17

Just in time for holiday gifting, I'm taking three weeks after Thanksgiving to do a portrait marathon!

As always, it will be first-come, first-served, sign ups starting on Friday the 23rd, at 9am PST.
That's right; "Black Friday"! Take a little break from the shopping madness. ;)

This time, you'll have a choice of either 5" x 5", gallery-wrapped canvas or panel (either can be displayed without framing, but framing is great for either, as well),
or 8" x 10" panel. The 5" x 5" portraits are $80, and the 8" x 10" are specially priced for the Marathon at $150 (that's $110 off!)

I'll remind you on my blog and Facebook that morning, with the link to the sign up form, but for those of you who will need no reminder (you know who you are! LOL!), here's the link. Any entries before 11/23 9am PST will not get on the list, so ... wait ... for ... it ...

 ;)

In the mean time,

I'm still working on my portrait of Lily and her Daddy.  I've also been designing holiday cards for a commercial client, and my husband's business.  

But, and this might interest you, I've also designed a card just for you.  It's a little thank-you to my readers and clients, with a little DIY extra.  If you'd like to receive a card from me, please fill out this address form.  And, even if you don't, THANK YOU.