London Training Company Portraits

Here is another victim for Mouse Training's rogue gallery. This is Lesley and she is a lot prettier in real life than the first couple of stages of my painting but I'm hoping to make her look more her usual self with just a few more splashes of paint!

Pastel portrait of Jazy

Jazy the cat is now finished and sitting very pretty. I have included the photograph I was working from in the bottom picture although I had other really sweet shots sent through via email for additional reference. In the second shot the picture was almost finished but at this stage I like to spray it with fixative and go over the drawing again to deepen the colours and enhance detail. Apparently Jazy recently returned home looking rather traumatised and with a kink in her tail. Ouch! Fortunately it seems to be straightening out again. Maybe she'll take a hint from her portrait and keep her tail hidden underneath her for a while.

Pastel portrait of Jazy

I have just started a pastel drawing of this gorgeously cute silver tabby kitten. She has such a demure pose seated on her favourite chair. Unfortunately I started the drawing on a colour that I realised would not work with the background I wanted to put in, so I had to start again. Doh!

Portrait of a Father

Here is the finished article with another stage thrown in to illustrate some of the subtle details that get added in, like more definition around the eyes, enhanced skin texture and individual hairs painted on eyebrows and hairline. I just hope I've captured the essence and character of a well loved father.

Painted House Numbers

I have just painted the number 68 on slate for a lovely couple in Yorkshire who couldn't find anything in the shops they fancied attaching to the front of their house. If any of you followers would also like a bespoke house name or number then I'm your artist! My husband commented that if they moved next to a number 89 they could take it with them (sigh!).

Portrait of a Father

Here are a couple more stages of the commission I started recently. I am applying lots of different colour washes to build up skin tone so the changes are slow and subtle but that's how the painting eventually comes to life.

Portrait of a fabulous 90 year old

Here is the final portrait of my dear grandpa on his favourite local walk on Windmill Hill in Alton, Hampshire. I presented it to him at his 90th birthday party along with a 'This is Your Life' book filled with photos and anecdotes from all his family. It was a lovely day!