Rylie...delivered, roadrunner, and a rescue!

You'll have to forgive my lack of posting the last few days.  It seems it always takes me awhile to get "settled in" and back to my easel.   I love the site we are located in....there is a big "wash" area out our back.  Look who I found running around back there....just waiting to say "hello"!

I have been wanting to paint one of these guys....so hopefully I can get some more photos of this guy while we are here.
It has been busy here.....meeting and chatting with fellow rv bloggers Rick and Paulette , they are the proud owners of Rylie and loved the painting I did.   I even managed to rescue a stray and find it a new home.  You can check all that out on my travel blog.
I do plan on getting to the easel today and posting some WIP's soon.  I did a little sketching on the old truck and I think I am finally happy with the background.  Plan on putting in some washes of color today and see how it stands up!

Travel Day

Today we are heading over to California for a months stay in a beautiful rv park located in Desert Hot Springs...."The Sands".  One thing we are planning on is going to the Zoo.....taking my new camera, of course, and hoping to get some great reference photos!  I'll be working on the "old truck" painting and I have started a new painting of a Pelican.  Stay tuned for WIPs......on both.  This gypsy girl is "on the road again" WaHOOOO!

Sadie almost done!

It has been hot here....but I'm not complaining!  It does make my paint dry up rather quickly though.  Sadie was back on my easel today and I have just about finished her.

 I just have to clean up the background a bit and she is ready to go a cruise-in down the road!  This portrait was a challenge, so much going on with all the collars and those "doggles"...gotta love those things.  I really enjoyed painting Sadie and I am very please with how she turned out.  You can read all about Miss Sadie on her blog. 

Rylie is Done!

I finally got back to my easel and finished up my portrait of Rylie.  I am still working on Sadie. 

I still can't get over that sweet face and those gorgeous eyes.....so intense!  Can't wait to meet Rylie in person!  We will be leaving Bullhead City next week and heading over to a California rv park where Rylie and her owners are currently parked.
I have also been spending time on my web site....it isn't quite finished, but it has a new look and some new features.  One of which is a newsletter that folks can sign up for....I used mailchimp.  My newsletter will be "published" 4 times a year.  That leads me to a question:  What would you find interesting in a newsletter?  I plan to have my latest paintings and projects, but I'm also thinking about adding a "tips and techniques" area about my painting style.  What do ya think!

Back to Sweet Rylie

Yesterday I went back to work on Rylie.  I got kinda a late start, but I think I made a fair amount of progress.  I spent a little time tweaking the nose and muzzle area and then moved out into all those lovely curls.  Those curls are what drew me in to paint Rylie in the first place....the way they frame that sweet face and those soulful eyes....the curls are the "icing on the cake"!

I do declare.....Rylie is the "poster child" for sweetness!

Sadie 5

I should have switched over to Rylie, but I'm so close on finishing Sadie that I ended up spending the day on her.  I just couldn't resist getting those "doggles" under control....and I'm very happy with the way they are looking.  I have a little work to do on the shadow area under the doggles on the right hand side, but other then that I'm pretty happy with the outcome. 

 

Now, I'm focusing on everything below the harness area.  You would think that seeing the way the hair grows is an easy thing, but Sadie's hair is so smooth and close to the body that it has been a real challenge.  The area to the left, above her paw has been difficult.  It took more than a few "passes" to "get it right".  I finally made the decision that the hair kinda wraps around her forward shoulder area and then makes a downward turn to the legs.  Sometimes you have to take what you know with what you see and make the best compromise between the two.  That's what I did and I think it is working.  Today I'm off to the laundry and grocery shopping......till next time....have a great day!

Sadie 3 and New Camera

I know I have been "missing in action" these past few days, but sometimes I just need a little break from the computer.  I also have been learning to use and enjoying my new camera.  It finally arrived a few days ago.  The first company we had ordered from turned out to be less then reputable and we ended up canceling the order.  Ordered from Amazon....which is what we should have done in the first place.

Isn't it pretty!!  Oh my, you should see all the buttons and dials!  Thankfully, it has an auto setting which allows you to "shoot" right outta the box.  I do want to move beyond that.....but it will takes some time to get familiar with everything.
I did get a little painting in the other day......

I have not done anymore on the "doggles"....I want to finish her head first so I can see how everything "works" together.  I am fairly satisfied with the muzzle area....I just have a little spot behind her mouth to finish up.  I just can't seem to quite make that area work...got frustrated with it yesterday!  Today is a new day though and after sleeping on it I think I'm seeing it a little clearer this morning.....