What a wet day....

All studio staff* are taking their duties seriously......

It is lashing it down outside - it is a too dark to paint by natural light 

and my 'daylight' lamp is just a bit too bright. 

Hmm, may have to resort to putting the kettle on, that usually helps :)

*I really must find a better way to stash my drying slates, 

I am sure the cats are fed up with sharing their 'nests' with them :)

Progress so far ....

Nearly finished, a few more whiskers here, 

a few more hairs there.

Then a final protective coating of varnish, 

a twisted jute cord to hang from,

then these three can go home :)

One Two Three

On my desk today, 

two border collies and a cat.

Sitting staring at me,

the dogs ready for a walk,

all waiting for the next step.

On rescued slate - approximately 200 years old.

I love that thought.

200 year old slate and I get to paint on it. Now that can't be bad :)

Purrfect

This cat is now finished and in the safe hands of the client,

ready to be wrapped and gifted on Friday.

This cat has had a mind of its own since the first brush stroke.

Quite a character! 

Got there in the end :)

Now, I shall have a lie down in a dark corner,

to recover,

then ...what then?

Well,

I already have something on my desk to share with you -

however, that will be for Friday,

until then :)

Following a process

Process

Selecting the slate

Cleaning

Sanding

Checking for fractures and flakes

Washing 

Measuring...

 Drawing out guidelines

Initial sketches

Getting the client's approval

Then,

Base coat - white, following the muscle lines... 

Following the lines of the fur

Allowing to dry

The first of many coloured layers

Each one tracing the line of the muscle

the line of the fur ....

Layers and layers

Each forming more and more structure

The cat starts to 'appear' 

Then the eyes,

the eyes have to be correct.

If they are not - there is no point going on.

You may have noticed the cat's left paw has moved.

They do that, cats, they move until they are comfortable.

They do that on slate too.

In fact most of my painted animals move half way through,

they want to be more comfortable.

I have to go with that.

Feeling like the cat's pyjamas!

This handsome cat has keep me entertained recently.

 His rather glorious coat - a wonderful mix of agouti and tabby stripe 

(I think he is a Tabby point/Lynx point Siamese) 

had me dabbing on the tiniest slicks of paint to build up the colouring.

And his eyes! 

You could fall into them, they are like deep pools of water - 

I hope I have captured them correctly.

Edited to add : I have just received feedback from the customer and they are delighted!

Phew! I love it when there is a happy ending :)

Now to get back to painting hares.

Happy Friday!

The sun is positively beating down

 (in a gentle spring like way)

 and it has really boosted all our moods in the 'studio' today.

The cats are soaking up the rays, 

the dog is snoring and I have started some new sketches - see - everyone is happy :)

So what is on my desk today?

A couple of hares - designs for cards.

A mule ewe.

A sun worshipping cat.

Have a lovely weekend (a bank holiday weekend here in the UK),

hope the sun shines for you too.

Ready for his new home

This little fellow is finally finished - his new owners are more than happy (phew!), so all that remains is to add his twisted jute cord and he will be ready for his new home :)

I have also completed another birthday commission of two dogs. I shall reveal all soon!

Until then - a sneak preview of what's on my desk today - a rather handsome cat on reclaimed slate. he is destined to be a table decoration rather than a wall hanging. I shall share progress as I go along.

Speaking of progress, we are still working on our art exhibition and open studios for this autumn, there will be a Facebook page up soon, so keep your eyes peeled and I shall let you know when it is up and running.

As artist makers confirm they are attending, I shall add links and webpages - all good and exciting stuff!

What's on the desk today?

Slates waiting to be varnished ....

Slates drying and hardening.....

 

Preliminary sketches .....

 It is all go here at the moment :)

Right better get back to work,

have a large commission confirmed this afternoon,

will certainly keep me quiet for a while :)

(fat chance!)

Oh,

my little studio assistant 

has promoted herself to supervisor ....

I can hear her snoring from here ......

Thank you

I love it when I get such lovely feedback from paintings I have done.

It is always a relief when I hand over a commission and the reaction is so positive :) 

Thank you Helen, it is lovely to see your photo of Reggie with the rest of his family.

Right best get on, got horses to finish, dogs to start, foxes to complete!

Have a good weekend :)

Tuxedo and Kilters ready

Today I parcel up two paintings.

Both are cats.

Both black and white.

Respendent in their Tuxedos

and

Kilters

 Kilter? 

Well they are those most wonderful mustaches 

they sport on their furry top lips 

It will be strange not having these two on my desk,

I have been surrounded by cats the last couple of weeks,

oh well, 

will be more than content with my little studio assistant ....

Have fur filled Monday - I know I will be :)

What a fine mustache you have!

What's on my desk today?

This beautifully whiskered cat 

Still a way to go,

so best

'get to it' 

She needs to get back to her owner >^.^<