New work despite distractions of the French Bulldog kind!

 Where has the time gone!! The last few months of 2015 just flew by and I tried to keep up with new paintings but was pre-occupied with having to look after the step daughters new puppy....a French Bulldog called Tucker. It seemed I did most of the looking after as I had more days off due to my shift work, and as it turned out whenever I decided to try and paint Tucker wanted to sit on my lap and either gaze out the window or sleep on my lap, not the easiest way to try and cope doing fine line painting! These 2 Zebra were the first to be completed.

 Next up was a request for a Jaguar cub for my youngest brothers daughter Sophie, it had to be done before Xmas as a present. A trip to Berlin with my wife in November and the years end was really approaching, I next planned a challenge in trying to paint a Silverback Gorilla, this took some time to get right and then it was the end of the year. Not having any plans on getting out birding as of yet I set about carrying on in painting mode and now into January have just completed a Rhino portrait, as shown below.

 And pictured here below is the reason for being inadvertently disrupted and delayed in doing stuff.

Tucker

Wrestlingworth Show & Sale and a Tiger Cub!

 Last weekend we had the Show and Sale in our village of Wrestlingworth. The morning brought rain and I thought here we go again, another washout! 

But by the time we transported our stuff to the show the rain had ceased and we were graced with no more rain for the rest of the day......finally thank you!

The afternoon was really enjoyable and we met a lot of friendly villagers and chatted the day away, I sold a couple of paintings and some photo prints and Tucker's Treats went down well with the dog owners....and Tucker was continually mobbed by the kids along with some of the adults, they couldn't leave him alone.

 Although I had already started the latest painting of a Tiger Cub, I was unable to finish it in time for the Show & Sale, but once I had more time thereafter I set about finishing it off. I set about the eyes first as per norm and tried to get that cute look about it. 

After around 13 hours put in over so many days it was finally finished and I put the brush down!

The Ashwell Show.August 2015.

 The time had come for the Ashwell Show and to sum it up on the day.....a washout!

So frustrating for everyone involved, but glad some people battled the elements as it rained all day long. Sales did not go to plan and would of been a lot healthier if the weather had been better. Sarah had been baking like a possessed baker getting all the dog treats ready for "Tuckers Treats" stand, they were a success and the samples went down well. Met and chatted to some really nice and complimentary public. The poor youngsters in the horse arena must of been soaked to the skin, and the field soon became waterlogged and a mud slide, but the organising was very good and it was a good experience and nice company with the other exhibitors in the marquee. 

 "Tucker's Treats" Stand.

A worn out and wet Tucker.

Portrait of "The Fox"

 This was to be the final painting before the Ashwell Show. Portrait of a Fox. On this painting I actually started by painting the tail and head before the eyes, normally I plough into completing the eyes to bring it to life but for some reason I chose not to, come to think of it I did the same with the Puffin! I think I will stick to the eyes first in future, but may mix it up if needed.

Puffin Portrait.

 With the Ashwell show virtually upon me I set about finishing as much as possible. This Puffin portrait had to have the bill colours pop out, then the shine in the eye to bring it alive. The mouth gape was a challenge too.

Portrait of a Lion.

After the Zebra I kept to the African theme and decided to try a Lion portrait, it was fun and hassle at the same time. The detail was finer than images before as I had cut down a fine brush to make the lines thinner! It took me a lot of hours before I finally put the brush down and decided enough was enough, I placed it in a pre-cut mount I bought in Norfolk which really set it off, another painting to the collection.

The Zebra

 My latest watercolour painting, The Zebra. I had wanted to paint this for some time and finally got round to it. As per norm I started with the eye, it took a few attempts before I was happy with the result and could move on with the rest.

SOLD