International Dog Day
Today I am looking back on all the wonderful dogs I have had the honour of painting this year. Read on to find out what I discovered.
Swift on the heels of International Cat Day, today it is our Canine friend's turn!
International Dog Day was created in 2004 by Colleen Paige an animal welfare Advocate and Pet Lifestyle Expert.
Why 26th August? This was the day in Colleen's life, aged 10, when their family adopted her first dog. And a big part of today's purpose is to raise awareness about the number of dogs that need to be rescued each year. It is also a celebration of all dogs both mixed and pure in race.
I have been on a portrait painting rollercoaster since last January which has introduced me to some wonderful dogs, many of them mixed breed and rescue cases.
Today I am looking back over my journey so far. Whilst each dog was particular in their personality and character, all were unanimously irreplaceable and special members of their families.
Each played a powerful part in the family dynamic, whether that was entertaining, keeping in check, caring, supporting, reassuring, energy giving, protecting - they were all ultimate loving companion / best bud / accomplice!
I am constantly moved and inspired by the stories of these animals and the daily impact they make on their owners' lives. I like to think of each portrait I do as a visual celebration of this powerful bond.
If you would like to find out how I can help you celebrate the dog in your life do check out my commission service by clicking the button below.
Wishing dogs and dog lovers alike a cheerful and treat-full day!
In Celebration of the Honey Bee
Find out the full story behind my tribute to the Honey Bee, in celebration of World Honey Bee Day.
Honey Bee Tribute, digital oil on canvas
Did you know a spoonful of sugar (2 tsp of white granulated sugar mixed with 1tsp water to be precise) can offer a bee a brilliant boost!
The 21st August was World Honey Bee Day and here is my painted tribute to it with a little twist to acknowledge the dangers of pesticides, habitat loss and climate change that today's bees face.
It was another Rebelle 4 experiment using oil brushes and drips to build up a rich textural surface. It was also in many respects a deep meditation on the beauty of a honey bee!
Check out the mini time-lapse below to watch the creative process in action!
Aside from teaspoons of sugar, also try planting a native wildflower, like a Primrose, Buddleia or Marigold in your garden / window box. They are nectar rich plants that bees really thrive on!
A New Experiment in Tribute to World Lion Day
Read about my continuing exploration of new digital mediums with my latest animal portrait in celebration of World Lion’s Day.
From domestic cats into the wild! Here is a new experiment of mine, undertaken in tribute to World Lion Day
This was another dive into the Rebelle 4 painting software I've been exploring recently.
To date I've been focusing mainly on oils, but for this I wanted to try out their soft pastels instead.
I have kept my approach much looser than normal, in part because I wanted to see if I could say less with more and I was working to the clock! :)
In a way the constraints of a time limit can be a brilliant tool, forcing focus like nothing else can!
See below a mini time-lapse of how I started, working in loose line & blocks of colour, making myself step back from detail more.
I have also included a close up of the eye to give you a sense of how this software really captures the texture and feel of the pastel medium.
Clover, the Loyal Sprocker
Introducing my latest portrait of a sprocker called Clover. Read all about her story and watch a small time-lapse of this portrait in progress.
Clover, Digital oil painting
Happy to share my new portrait of a kind and loyal sprocker called Clover.
She’s accompanied her owner Rachael through every kind of adventure, be it moves, job pivots and most recently a pandemic pregnancy, where she remained tucked up by Rachael’s side, ever supportive, patient and reassuring.
Hard to really sum something like this up in words. At the heart of it, I suppose, is a quality of love that is beautifully pure, innocent and freely given.
Have you got a loyal dog in your life? What’s one memorable act of support they have given you over the years? I find these stories so insightful, so please do share in the comments below.
Rachael describes Clover as the ‘dog of a lifetime’ and ‘her soulmate’ a fitting tribute to a wonderful animal.
In the time-lapse below you can watch a summary of how this portrait progressed, starting loose and gradually refining into detail.
Portrait of Doug
Today I’m sharing my latest portrait of an energetic pup called Doug. Hear more about his story and watch a time-lapse of how this digital painting came together.
Today’s painting is a portrait of young Doug, a lovable lurcher full of bounce.
Although in the first two weeks of his life all he did was eat and sleep which won him the affectionate title of ‘Doug the Slug.’
Now approaching his first birthday he has certainly come a long way since then and loves his walks in all weathers with his family.
Whilst he is still getting the hang of things, and is yet to realise that his back legs and tail belong to him, his energy and enthusiasm for life more than make up for this.
Have you got a young pup that you would like me to paint?
To find out more about my commission service just click the button below which will take you to a page where I explain everything you need to know.
In Celebration of a horse called Lewis
Today I am talking about this portrait of a beautiful horse called Lewis. Read on to hear the full story and watch a time-lapse of this painting in progress.
Lewis, Digital Painting
Kind, gentle, dependable and loved, Lewis was a warmblood gelding who very sadly is no longer in the land of the living. It was therefore a particular honour to paint this portrait for his owner.
The painting evolved gradually with the layers of colour building to describe that extraordinary musculature of his face. I never met Lewis but, quietly studying him for this painting, I really felt that ‘gentle’ quality, his owner described, in every nuance of his expression.
See the a time-lapse below, showing how this painting evolved.
If you would like me to paint a portrait of a beloved animal in your life, head over to commission service page by clicking the button below where you will find out everything you need to know.
Furry Friends Friday is Back
After a bit of a pause, my Furry Friends Fridays are now back in swing with my new painting of Jed the Border Collie. Read on to find out all about him and watch a time-lapse of this painting in progress.
Jed, digital painting
I’ve been wearing my admin hat a lot recently so it was with great pleasure that I got back into creating mode this week, painting this beautiful Border Collie called Jed. Check him out @jedstagram
In his former life he spent his days rounding up sheep in Scotland. Now in retirement, he lives in Devon, a big fan of cuddles and the proud older brother to Rose, his new little human sister.
Whilst painting him, I was really struck by his quizzical expression, so full of thought and wisdom. See the time-lapse below to watch how this emerged.
If you have a pet full of character with an interesting story to tell you might be interested to visit my commission service page, where I explain how I can help you turn that story into a beautiful painted portrait of them.
You can find out everything you need to know by clicking the button below.
Wishing everyone a great Friday!
A Father's Day Commemoration
Today I’m talking about my new painting of a Sandhill Crane, celebrating the memory of my father, who always reminded me of the beauty in life.
A Sandhill Crane, digital painting
June has been an emotionally challenging month for me, commemorating as it does, my father's birthday, death and also father's day.
I have been thinking about dad a lot recently and all our many walks and talks over the years. What he would make of the world now and everything that is going on?
Above all I pick back through those conversations for the advice and perspective he used to offer to help me overcome my challenges. No matter what the pressing issue of the day, he would always remind me of the beauty and wonder that surrounded us and when ever I felt lost, just to stop and look outward, engaging with what inspiration the world had to offer.
One of his favourite things to point out on our wonderings were the elegance and grace of the construction cranes across London’s skyline. Feeling a little wobbly this week I thought about what, if he were here, he might like for a father's day gift and I decided to paint him a real crane, flying gently onward as he has done, from this world to the next.
Thank you to Dee Carpenter from @wildlifereferencephotos for her inspiring reference image of Sandhill Crane in flight. Painting this glorious bird has offered me great comfort this week.
As usual see below a time-lapse of this painting in progress.
Hug Your Cat Day
In celebration of National Hug Your Cat Day, I bring you a recent digital painting I made of the wonderful Fluff. Read on to discover her full story along with a time-lapse of this painting in progress.
Fluff, Digital painting
In celebration of National Hug Your Cat Day, I am returning to my Furry Friends Friday theme with a digital painting, recently completed of a special feline called Fluff.
She also goes by the name of Lulu and is very much a cat, owned by none but a friend to all.
The story goes that she was abandoned by her original owner, but being the survivor she is, befriended a host of neighbours and now has her pick of homes and hugs!
World Turtle Day
Today I take you on a deep dive into the oceans exploring the story of this Green Turtle and the threatened world in which he lives.
Today is World Turtle Day and I wanted to celebrate it for several reasons.
First I had access to a wonderful photograph taken by two wonderful friends of mine, on a dive they did in Flynn Reef (The Great Barrier Reef), Australia.
It is the first time I have ever attempted to paint an ocean creature, let alone a turtle and I was really curious to take my eyes on a journey into this underwater world of colours and textures.
I also recently watched a powerful documentary called Seaspiracy which completely threw open the door to the devastating impact that Industrial fishing is having on our oceans and the wildlife within them, turtles being one of many species affected.
Recent stats show that 500,000 sea turtles are caught each year as bycatch (unintended catch).
This fella here is a Green Turtle and on the endangered species list. Along with the dangers of fishing nets, their eggs are overharvested, adults are hunted for their parts and as a source of food, and they are gradually losing their beach nesting sites.
Painting this turtle gave me 9 hours to truly study this extraordinary animal who was anything but just green. The complex mix of colours I discovered were out of this world. And I have just learned that green turtles get their name from the greenish colour of their cartilage and fat, not their shells, which makes sense!
I invite you to have a look at the sped up timelapse below, which condenses this 9 hour voyage into just under 9 minutes. I hope it will give you something of the experience I enjoyed in painting this picture.
If you haven’t done so already, I really urge you to watch Seaspiracy (on Netflix) and think about the way we can all help to counteract the powerful and sinister forces of industrialised fishing.
Millie, the Mountaineer
Today’s digital painting celebrates Millie, a little Patterdale, Jack Russell Terrier mix with a lot of tricks up her sleeve.
Read on to find out more and watch a full timelapse of this painting in progress.
Today’s digital painting celebrates Millie the Mountaineer!
Believed to be a Patterdale, Jack Russell Terrier mix, but she was recued by her family 6 years ago, so no one is entirely sure.
Originally a circus dog, Millie can army crawl you under a table. She is also an enthusiastic walker (with a couple of mountains under her belt) but will happily sleep all day if you let her.
She is a little shy, very gentle and, according to her owner, is ‘as good as gold,’ so much so that she was awarded ‘best small dog’ at her village dog show.
I have painted her here in her mountain gear and very much enjoyed losing myself in the reflections of her eyes which gave a little glimpse of a wonderfully snowy view.
Have a look at the video below to see the full timelapse of how this painting progressed.
Bobby the Corgi Clown
Today’s furry Friday friend digital painting celebrates a young Welsh Corgi, called Bobby. Read on to find out more about him and watch a timelapse of this painting in action.
Today’s furry friend digital painting is of a bouncy, young, tri colour, cardigan, Welsh, Corgi, called Bobby.
He is a little over 6 months and is very much the clown of his family or as owner Emma describes him ‘a little bit of chaos on short legs.'
A big fan of everyone and everything, he is a dog that embraces life to the full, even delighting in the occasional munch on cat poo!
The more animals I paint the more I am tuning into the musical rhythms and colours of their fur. The mix of colouring around Bobby’s ears was particularly beautiful and took me on a rather meditative journey.
See the timelapse below to watch this journey in progress.
Still wondering what these digital paintings might look like on the walls of your home?
I will soon be sharing a series of fun videos showing the full journey of a digital painting from conception to framed print on a wall, so keep an eye out!
Any questions in the meantime do let me know in the comments below!
Boris the Unicorn
Today I offer up my painting of Boris the cob to celebrate, in a rather quirky way, National Unicorn Day. Read all about this very unconventional unicorn and watch a video of how this painting progressed.
Today is National Unicorn day, and my furry friend digital painting has taken a little twist on the theme. I present you with Boris the cob, not your conventional interpretation of a unicorn, but a happy, somewhat shaggy, salt-of-the-earth alternative.
He is gentle and sensitive in nature, with a peculiar fear of plastic bags, which on one occasion caused him to spontaneously jump sideways onto a car.
Full charge in a hunt, he is nothing if not enthusiastic although he has been described as a ‘slightly malcoordinated tank’ by his owners, with his tendency of not paying much mind to obstacles and being a little on the clumsy side.
Boris is the first horse I have had the pleasure to paint and I was completely mesmerised by all the shifting textures of his winter coat!
Lambkin, The Easter Lamb
In the lead up to Easter I went in search of a lamb and found Lambkin.
Read all about him and watch a video of how my digital painting of him evolved.
In preparation for Easter I went in search of a lamb to paint and was fortunate enough to find this little fella, who goes by the name of Lambkin.
He is smaller than his other pet lamb companions but also incredibly determined, always being the first in line at feeding time. Neither is he shy and happily chases his owner’s children around the garden.
My reference for this painting was a photo of him in said garden, around sunset. There was something tender and slightly comical about his expression that I found poignant, along with the way the warm glow of the sun’s light really brought his young textural tufts of fur to life.
I was recently asked how long these furry friend digital paintings take me to do and the answer is it depends on a few factors, like how furry the animal is, whether I am just focusing on the head or doing a full body portrait and what is happening in the background. Lambkin took me around 10 hours to paint and I would say generally it can vary between 8-15 hours depending on the complexity of the painting.
I am really happy to answer any other questions you might have about my digital paintings and welcome you to post any Qs in the comments below.
For now, wishing you all a happy and healthy Easter weekend!
Kenny, the Mini Black Panther
Today I tell you about Kenny, the cat with Black Panther aspirations. Read on for the full story, along with a timelapse of how this digital painting progressed.
The famous South park line of ‘who killed Kenny?’ is flipped on it’s head by today’s furry friend, who is affectionately known as ‘Killer Ken’.
Described by his owners as a ‘real-life black Panther’ Kenny is a shrewd, calm and graceful hunter who takes his food very seriously. Moles, mice, squirrels and birds beware, even the neighbour’s dog’s food isn’t safe from Kenny’s grasp.
He is particular in his affections, not quick to show his soft side, nor one for being too fussed over or too ignored. In moments of real need however he will be the first by your side, to gently nose, cuddle and cheer you up. The yellow background is a nod to his owner’s comment ‘he is my little sunflower’, there to brighten and comfort.
This digital painting was another wonderful dive into the multi coloured, tonal party that is the fur of a black cat. I was working from a brilliant image which really caught all the nuances. I like how this plays out in the painting, with a very focused Kenny on the one hand and a dancing, moving mass of fur on the other.
As usual you can see the full timelapse in the video below.
As you are probably aware, I will officially be launching my commission service in May, but feel free to get in touch with any commission related Qs from now on in.
Dougie, The Beast from the East
Today’s digital painting celebrates the lovable ball of energy that is Dougie. Read all about his story and the lengths he will go to, to get a treat. Also watch a timelapse of how this painting was created.
At 20kg today’s Furry friend digital painting is one big bundle of East Midland cheer! Dougie is a Staffie cross, rescued as a pup and is now a lovable and loving hulk of energy or as his owner beautifully summed up ‘the softest smush on the planet.’
He is a big fan of ‘treats’ and will happily overcome seemingly insurmountable obstacles to gain possession of them; like the coat, hung out of reach, which was pulled down and demolished to get to the treat left in the pocket.
Whilst his nose is not red, I thought he was still a fitting tribute to Red Nose day in his spirit and character.
Watch the timelapse below to see how this digital painting evolved.
The Cat with Big Names
Today’s digital painting is celebrating a rather stocky moggie cat with some big namesakes to boast of.
Read all about his story and watch a timelapse of how this painting evolved.
Today we have another moggie cat, quite a stocky fella, with some great namesakes to boast. His official title is Samwell Tarly (I will be featuring another Game of Thrones associate of his in the weeks to come!) He is also affectionately known as BB8, being a bit on the round side.
This was such a super pose to paint, the light and angle where full of impact and really got me studying the intricate shifts of colours and textures in his face. I kept on thinking of him as a mini-Tiger, and he is apparently an enthusiastic hunter of mice. One wonders if he has just spotted one here.
For all this, he is allegedly not the brightest button in the box, but has, outside of predatory pursuits, a sweet and relaxed temperament.
Watch the video below to see how this painting evolved.
In the leadup to officially launching my commission service I also wanted to take this opportunity to ask what questions you might have about commissioning a digital artwork, so do let me know in the comments below.
Guinness, The 'Battersea' Veteran
Read all about the inspiration for today’s Furry Friend digital painting, a dog with a fantastic name, not to mention a wise spirit. Also watch the timelapse showing how this painting evolved
Today’s Furry Friend digital painting pays tribute to a bit of a veteran. Presenting Guinness Maximilian Cowley, 17 years wise, and still an enthusiastic licker of the Sunday roast gravy tray!
His breed is affectionately referred to as ‘Battersea’ a nod to Battersea dog and cat home from whence he came.
In his youth he was frequently led on a fool’s chase by rabbits, getting himself lost in the brambles on Wimbledon common. Now he takes a more thoughtful approach to life, and you will often find him sat on the patio steps with ‘Doggy Bear’, his soft toy and confident, contemplating the world together.
Painting him was great fun. Despite his age, the energy in his eyes was wonderful to explore and the salt and pepper colours of his fur took my digital brushes on a happy journey.
Watch the timelapse below to see how this painting evolved.
Aiva The Adventurer
Today I am introducing you to a rather unusual Persian cat called Aiva. Learn more about her antics and watch a timelapse showing how this digital painting evolved.
Let me introduce you to a mischievous adventurer called Aiva, also affectionately known as ‘McGee’ and ‘Tinker’.
She is not your conventional indoor-loving, docile Persian cat, but rather an avid explorer of the outside, with a particular penchant for human foods -she will pinch your caramelised pineapple off a summer Mojito, as owner Ellie can testify.
Naughty and endearing, you can follow all her antics on Instagram @not_your_typical_perisan
What lovable quirks can you share about your furry friend? do let me know in the comments below.
See how this digital painting evolved in the timelapse below.
Bismarck The Basset Hound
Today is dedicated to a lovable Basset Hound called Bismarck. Read about her story and watch how my digital painting of her developed.
Introducing today’s furry friend digital painting -Bismarck, the lovable Basset Hound who will eat just about anything, including a whole frozen turkey.
Whilst she looks rather demure in this pose, she is allegedly the big Boss of her family and never fails to get what she wants. Although given that her favourite treats are the discarded sticks from magnum ice creams, her requests seem rather humble and offer her owners a good excuse to indulge!
If you have a furry friend, what is the weirdest thing they have ever eaten?
See below the full time-lapse showing my digital painting process and how this painting evolved. Any questions do let me know in the comments below.