Landscape: - Windy Day

Trying out some pastel mat card with a water wash over the blocking of colours. Not a technique I've used before however it work really well. Small Landscape below:

7" x 9.5" Pastel on PastelMat Card

Working with Fixative

I found a tin of pastel fixative in the draw of my desk and having never used fixative before I thought I'd give it a go. 

Usually I like to use sandpaper type pastel paper as it grips pastel in such a way that unless I want to apply many layer or some very heavy layers I would not need to use fixative, however rumaging through my card stock I had some Canson Art Board which has a very smooth finish and a slightly corigated tooth much like Ingres Paper by smoother.

With the Canson I found that unless I used an underpainting, I couldn't achieve my layers. So I thought, what the heck, why not give this stuff a go with the Canson. 

I'll post a pic of my results in my next blog post.

Pet Portrait: Toby - Beach Dog

Ok, finally finished Toby's second painting. Daniel, I hope you like this one!

22" x 12" Pastel on Mi-Teintes Card

And a close up of the detail on the dog:

Pet Portrait: Toby - Beach Dog

starting to work on the detail of the dog and also the foam on the waves, background not completely complete either, still some work on the tones of the ripples to go.

Pet Portrait: Toby - Beach Dog

Further update on Toby painting.

Pet Portrait: Toby - Beach Dog

Further update on the new Toby painting, second layering of colour going down with a little more detail on Toby.

Pet Portrait: Toby - Beach Dog

Started a new painting this weekend, first colour blocking done.

Pet Portrait: Barney

Ok people, so here he is, the finished painting at last. All in all for my first Horse, he's a cracker!

"Barney"

12" x 16" Pastel on Ingres Card

Pet Portrait: Barney

Update on Barney, almost finished! Just working on the main head collar and bridel gear. Still have one very bright orange ear but otherwise he's coming along nicely. Especially as he's my first ever horse portrait.

New look!

Ok, had a telling off about how colourful my blog was, so here it is, my new look to my art blog which now brings it in line with my new website. If you want to drop me a comment, do so, I'd always love to here what anyone has to say on my sites and on my work!

Website!

So, my new art website is now up and running although not completely finished yet! Check it out!!

Ginger Ramsden - Pet Portraits

Pet Portrait: Barney

Update on Barney, not long to go! Adding the mid tones and detail on the tack now, once that's complete it'll just be the highlights and background.

Pet Portrait: Barney

Update on my sisters present.

adding the first major layers of colours for the coat.

Pet Portrait: Barney

A birthday present for my sister.

Just doing the blocking in of colour and shadows.

Pet Portrait: Ben

So, this is the finished portrait of Ben, isn't he a cracker!

18" x 12" Pastel of Ingress Card

Pet Portrait: Ben

Current commission I'm working on is a 2 year old Spaniel called Ben:

12" x 10" Pastel on Ingress Card

and a close up of Ben;

Pet Portrait: Birman

For those that have been following, this is the final finished painting of the Birman, and what a star he was too!

12" x 12" Pastel on Ingress Card

Pet Portrait: In Progress: Birman 4

Yeah, I know, said I wouldn't put another one up until it was finished, however progress has been slow due to normal work commitments, so here at least is an update for you:

Just Clouds

Spotted some beautiful clouds out the window and just couldn't resist the urge to get them down in a quick 5min paint. So here's some clouds....

2" x 5" Pastel on Ingress Card

Pet Portrait: In Progress: Birman 3

one cat, with one ear...... the next post will be the finished painting, but here's a 3rd development shot which will keep you interested for now.

12" x 12" Pastel on Ingress Card

Pet Portrait: In Progress: Birman 2

update on the pet portrait.....

12" x 12" Pastel on Ingress card

Pet Portrait: In Progress: Birman

Working on a new Pet Portrait at them moment, just getting the base colours and layout sorted.

 12" x 12" Pastel on Ingress Card

Not a great photo as was taken on my phone....

Apple in Oils

So back a few years ago, someone bought me a set of pentel oil pastels. They aren't the greatest so have sat on my shelves for a while. Thought I'd give them a go this time and try something different, so started with a simple still life. This one of an apple.

 10" x 6" Oil Pastel on Black Card

Really surprised at the results, because I managed to get some really nice depth to the colour of the background which contrasts nicely with the apple.

Maybe I should give the oil pastels another go sometime!

Miss M finally finished!

7" x 12" Pastel on Card

Pet Portrait - Miss M

Another work in progress, this time a dog. Still plenty to do on this one as all I've done so far is the base colours!

7" x 12" Pastel on card.

Landscape - Breakfast

Yet another one for my course, however this is still a work in progress.

12" x 12" Pastel on Card

Pet Portrait - Toby

One of my assignments for my Art Diploma, a pet portrait. This one is of a Puggle called Toby.

8" x 8" on card in Pastel.

So............... welcome to my new blog.

Here is where I will post regular images and update on my currant art works. After a few years of trying different media's I've finally settled on one I've grow to love, pastels.

The smooth silky texture as it grips the paper and the vibrant colours gives me so many creative idea's, I just can't keep them all in!

Hopefully you will enjoy watching my progress as much as I enjoy developing my works, please feel free to add comments, suggestions and questions or share this blog with friends.