Kookaburra

Just started this painting today of a Kookaburra, the second in my series of Australian Bird portraits.  Quite happy with how this one is turning out, lots more detail still to go.

Snow Leopard

The other day I finished another mixed media piece, this time a Snow Leopard.  Paper & acrylic on stretched canvas, 16" x 20"

Australian Bird Series

I've decided I really need something to focus on in my art and what I've come up with is to do a series of oil paintings of Australian bird portraits.  The first bird I have chosen is a cockatiel.  This is actually my cockatiel Jakey or he used to be at least, he actually lives with my Mum now.  Oil on Gessobord panel, 6" x 6".

Lion Collage

I'm not sure if anyone is following my blog anymore, if you see something you like or would like to comment on please do so as it is very appreciated.

This is a lion collage I did a few weeks ago.  Quite pleased with how this one turned out and it looks great on the wall.  Acrylic and collage on stretched canvas, 16" x 20"

Fox collage

Mixed Media Collage

Collage has been calling to me lately, it is something that I explored when I first got into art 2.5 years ago and I still love doing it.  I've been experimenting with some different techniques and believe I have come up with a style that is quite unique.  This is my latest piece "Rabbit", Collage & Acrylic on stretched canvas, 10" x 12".

Duke of Burgundy

After all the cats I've been painting recently I felt like doing something completely different.  Just finished this painting yesterday, it is a Duke of Burgundy butterfly (a European butterfly),  Oil on Gessobord, 8" x 10".  Thanks to Byron Taylor for his permission to use his beautiful photo as a reference.

More oil paintings

I haven't updated my blog for quite a while, been busy painting cats in oil and I also did one of my own dog Woodley.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ginger cat in progress

I'm really enjoying painting cats at the moment.  I wanted to paint a cat with amber eyes and decided to use this lovely reference from the Wet Canvas photo reference library.  This is how far I've got, still a bit more detail needed in the fur and he needs whiskers too...

Cats in Oil

The last few weeks I've been concentrating on painting cats in oil.  My first attempt was a beautiful closeup of a silver Persian.  I've actually done this picture before but in coloured pencil.  I'm so much happier with this oil version though..

 

 

Next I decided to paint a cute little kitten lying back on a blanket.  This one was more challenging as there was a lot more fur to paint but I was happy with the results...

 



Long time no post

Wow, it's been a long time since I posted on my blog!  I have been busy with my art, new Brusho pieces, a pastel and some oils as well.  Below are some of the works I've done...

Deer, Brusho paints, A3 size

 

Barn Owl, Brusho paints, A3 size

 

Cat Profile, Pastel, A4 size

 

Yarrangobilly, Oil on Gessobord, 8" x 10"

 

Brusho!

Recently I purchased a product called "Brusho".  Ink paints in powder form.  You can either sprinkle it on paper and then spray with water, or add water to it on a palette and use like watercolour etc..  You can create some very interesting effects.  It's messy and unpredictable but I have managed to do two paintings so far that I'm pretty pleased with.  Looking forward to experimenting with it more.

Flame Robin finished

Flame Robin

Work in progress, Flame Robin in coloured pencils...

Woodchat Shrike

It was nice to bring out my coloured pencils again and I decided to draw this delightful little bird called a Woodchat Shrike, found in Southern Europe, the Middle East and Africa.  Thank you to Steve Hatch for the kind use of his photo as a reference.

Owl Emporium

I have been very busy the last month or so working on a new venture!  Handcrafted owls, painted with acrylic paint.  I have a brand new website especially for the owls here:  www.owlemporium.com
I also have an Owl Emporium facebook page here:  https://www.facebook.com/pages/Owl-Emporium/490545881000527

I would love all of my blog followers to visit my new pages and also support me on facebook and please share with people who you think might be interested.  I find it difficult to get the word out sometimes and would love some help :)

Facebook Giveaway!

 

Giveaway!! Would you like to a win a custom mini pet portrait? Portrait will be done in coloured pencil and measure 2.5 x 3.5 inches (6.4 x 8.9cm)

To be in the draw you must be a fan of my facebook page and also write a comment on my giveaway post.  Please visit my facebook page for more information.

ACEO Cards

I've been very busy the last week or so making little ACEOs (Art Cards Editions & Originals).  They measure trading card size, 2.5 x 3.5 inches.  Here are some of the drawings I've done so far.  Most of them are available for purchase through my Etsy shop.

 

Lachlan in Graphite

I decided to try and draw my youngest child, Lachlan, as he was as a baby.  This is graphite on Bristol paper, A4 size.

Latest works

Haven't updated my blog for a while.  Here are some pics of what I've done in the last few weeks.  Finshed the Barn Owl in acrylics. The fish and harvest mouse are both in coloured pencil.

New abstract impressionist owl in progress

I decided to give acrylic paint a go today, it's so different to oils, it dries almost instantly especially in hot weather like this.  Anyway I'm happy with the progress of this painting so far.

Rosella finished!

Rosella nearing completion

I started work on the tree stump today.  Still more work to do on it but it's looking ok so far I think.  The bird's feet get a bit lost as they are the same colour as the tree, I'll have to rectify that.  A few areas of the bird need more work too but I think this painting is nearing completion.

More Rosella progress

Finished blocking in all the colours of the bird, now I need to start on the small detail and define the feathers more.  I was starting to get a bit bamboozled with all the different feathers in the end.  It's not completely accurate according to the photo but I don't mind that, it's my own interpretation.

Rosella progress

Eastern Rosella WIP 1

I am planning on painting an Eastern Rosella on a large canvas, 20" x 24".  This is my freehand sketch.  I'm fairly happy with the proportions but I'll probably change a few things as I start painting it no doubt.  Now I need to enlarge the sketch to the right size and transfer it to the canvas.  Thank you to Julian Robinson for the use of his photo as a reference.  I am going to try and paint this as realistic as possible, it's going to be a challenge!

Fox finished

I really like how this turned out, my mind is racing with more ideas for new paintings in this style now.

Abstract Fox, work in progress

Still on an abstract kick at the moment and started this fox today on a 16" x 20" stretched canvas.  Lots of work to do still but the basics are there.  I really enjoy doing these paintings, I find them relaxing and that's what I need at the moment.  I promise I will get back to coloured pencil again soon.

Deer

Oil on canvas board, 11" x 14"

Abstract Bird

First of all I wanted to mention that my blog is not letting me reply to comments left on my blog, have no idea why its not working but thank you Lyn for your comment on my previous blog post.

Well I have started off the year with something very different, an abstract bird.  Oil on Gessobord, 9" x 12".  I've had a good response to this painting on various art forums so I think it's definitely a style worth pursuing.