Updates

I feel like it is has become a regular thing of mine to go periods of time without updating! I feel very bad, but I can’t complain you are keeping me busy with all your pet portrait commissions. Recently I have painted two flat coat retrievers portraits, Rosie and Geddy. I have a had a black lab commission, and one on the easel now. I have also been busy doing lots of other art other than pet portraits! I have been working on a couple of wildlife commissions and also a series of wildlife pieces on canvas ready for a gallery in Oxford! Exciting times for Sarah’s Pet Portraits!  

Exciting Two Weeks…

I have had a week away, able to get some R&R before I come back to the manic life of a pet portrait artist, which I wouldn’t change for the world I hasten to add! Over the last couple of weeks I have been approached by a new gallery, wanting my watercolors on canvas. That has been a bit of a learning curve, but I do love a challenge. Today I got the fabulous news I have won the CassArt watercolor competition and I get to spend £500.00 on shiny new art materials in their shop. That makes a very happy Sarah!  

As Busy As Ever

I was hoping to do a stage by stage of my latest portrait. 7 Labrador puppies in a Land Rover. It is the ultimate in cuteness. But as usual I have been rush of my feet, both gallery work and pet portraits. In fact I wouldn’t be surprised if started taking commissions for Christmas. I did however manage to get some stage by stage photos this latest portrait. So when I have a chance I will right it out for anyone who would like to follow it. Puppies haven’t been the only Labrador action these last weeks. I completed a lovely old ladies portrait. She has cancer sadly and so my client wanted this portrait of Kia for her Mum’s 50th birthday. Pet portraits make a range of wonderful gifts. Wedding, birthday, valentines, Mother or Fathers day. Or maybe just because you deserve a present to yourself.  

Having a Full Studio Day….

….is a rare thing these days. Sounds funny being an artist right? You would think I would spend all day painting. Sadly not. The busier I get the more admin, packing of work, phone calls and visits that occur. Don’t get me wrong, I am not complaining. Busy is good. However today I have a full day, except a brief trip to the post office, painting in my studio and I am very excited. Painting seven puppies. I am planning a work in progress guide on this huge piece, so if you a practicing your pet portraits or just looking for some tips on how to work with pastels I think it will be a good follow. I will add a link later. Sarah Having Fun. I have watched many other artists use amazing colors and producing very expressionist work. I love creating realistic, almost, but not quite photo realistic pet portraits. I like people to be able to look at it and see that is a painting not a photo, but still with a huge emphasis on realism. It has, however, been nagging at me for ages to give this looser style a go, to not get so caught up in every tiny detail and most importantly have fun. So, I treated to myself to some very expensive watercolor tubes! I made sure I bought non of my usual colors for my pet paintings. I purchased blues, greens, purples, magenta’s, turquoise, you name it. Any color that doesn’t normally feature……..and slapped it down. Well sort of! The first was a bit wishy washy and I was understandably cautious using a new medium in this way, but I continued and have come up with my rainbow pieces. I am sure my style has a long way to go, and will morph over the coming months. However I have already had enquiries for pet portraits to painted in my rainbow style…..what do you think….  

Back Doing What I love most.

Painting pets in my studio. I am finally recovered from the Bluebell Festival and I am back to the pet portraits. Finally I have a cat portrait on my easel. It has been far too long. It is quite a difficult reference photo, but it was all my client had. I hate to turn anyone who wants a pet portrait done, so unless the photo is really bad, I will endeavor to create the best portrait I can from any reference. However, please find here a link to how photograph you pet for their portrait here. You may have to scroll a bit, sorry! Also don’t forget I am happy to come to you if you are local and take photos for your pet portrait. I am finishing up a Labrador portrait for a client who understood the need for good photos for me to work from. It took her a year to get them, but it really is worth it. The finished portrait is so much better than it would have been without good quality photos. Remember also in this digital age you can take as many photos as you would like, even on your phone. I remember when I couldn’t use phone photos as reference for pet portraits. Not any more. Those iPhone and Samsung’s are brilliant, so get snapping! Have a great bank holiday weekend, Sarah x  

Recovery!

The Bluebell Festival at River hill was a resounding success. I demonstrated how I work on my dog portraits. On the easel was Sam, German Short Haired Pointer. I answered many questions about my pet portraits and wildlife art and hoping I will get some more commissions. However my order book is currently full until mid August. I am going to have to start nudging people to book their Christmas commissions in! I have a few galleries to approach and also this week some more wildlife prints will be heading over to Made In Kent. Next time I will be demonstrating my pet portraits and will be available to talk to will be at Knockholt Carnival. More details to follow.  

Busy week ahead, not much time for the pet portrait side of things!

Busy prepping for the Riverhill Bluebell Festival so the pet portraits are sadly taking the sideline this week. Don’t forget I do work in other mediums other than pastels. I have dog portraits in pen and watercolour and another in graphite. Pet portraits for everyone’s taste! Check back for some updates and news on Riverhill.  

Something a Little Different

I love my job as an artist and the pleasure it brings painting people’s beloved pets. Normally the majority of my work consists of dog portraits, followed by horse portraits. cat portraits not so much, which is a shame as I love them. However, I got my first bovine portrait last month. I was so happy to get this unique commission. I guess perhaps you can’t class it as a pet portrait, but non the less they love their beautiful cow, and I was honored to have been chosen to capture her. Meet Ruth….