Yellow Rose in oils

When I started this painting  I was getting rather confused with all the petals so I ended up just painting one petal at a time which worked really well.  Planning on painting some more roses as I  enjoyed the challenge of painting all the petals and it was rather fun to paint. 

6 x 6 inches on Ampersand Gessobord.

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Many thanks to Barbara Swinton for the reference photo.

Baby Elephant in pencils

Really enjoyed drawing this little elephant. Decided on a pencil drawing vs a painting as I was a bit busy this week with Christmas preparations  so it was easier just to work on it when I had a bit of free time.   The shops are rather hectic at the moment - will have to go early on Monday to avoid the crowds.  I wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

 Baby elephant is drawn on Art Spectrum 210 gsm acid free paper and measures 7.5 x 5.2 inches.

Many thanks to David Stribbling for the reference photo.

Tea and Cherries in oils

Another one painted on the 5 x 5 inch Ampersand Gessobord.  Was rather fun to paint -  a bit of a challenge painting a white teacup.  Playing around with a few ideas for my next still life - just haven't found the right combination yet but something will eventually fall into place. 

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Cherries 2 in oils

This is the next still life that I set up.  Rather like how I managed to position the two cherries .  Took ages to find the right position.  Sometimes  it feels like it  takes longer to set up a still life than it takes to paint it.  Painted this one on the 5 x 5 inches Ampersand Gessobord panel

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Vegetable Still Life 1 in oils

Really enjoyed painting this one.  Love all the bright colours.  I thought the cherry tomatoes were an excellent addition to the still life - actually been ages since I have bought cherry tomatoes as they have been too expensive.  A couple of months ago we were paying nearly $10/kg for tomatoes!!!! Fortunately they have come back down to a more reasonably price just in time for summer salads.  The painting  measures 6 x 6 inches on Ampersand Gessobord.

Nelsons Bay 2 in oils

This is the second painting that I have done of this lovely seascape scene.  I took the  reference photo when on holiday  at Nelsons Bay a few years ago.  Nelsons Bay is in New South Wales (near Newcastle).  It was a lovely sunny day so managed to get some excellent reference photos.  It is 5 x 7 inches on Ampersand Gessobord.

Coffee Break in oils

I found my still life box - it was stuck right at the back of the top cupboard - I probably should have waited for someone to come and help me as I have 9 foot ceilings so standing on a ladder trying to pull it out from the back of the cupboard was not the smartest thing to do but I managed to get it down.  So this is the first still life I set up.  A cup of coffee in my mug and a biscuit (a Delta Cream by Arnotts).  On the weekend, I went and bought some satin material for my next one which will be a vegetable still life.  Rather fun doing my own still life's so there will be more to come.

It is 6 x 6 inches on Ampersand Gessobord.

Humming Bird in Acrylics

I love the  colours of the humming bird so bright and colourful.  I don't get that many colourful birds visiting my garden so I love to  paint them instead.  Australia does have some beautiful birds but they just don't visit my garden - probably to built up for them.  I have seen some lovely little blue wrens on my walk down to the lake but they tend to stay down by the water and the trees.  I want to try and get a good photo of them but they move so quickly so not sure if they will ever sit still long enough for me to get a good photo reference.  Will just have to keep trying - I might be lucky one day.

Humming Bird is painted on 6 x 6 inches Ampersand gessobord.

Many thanks to Michael D Utin for the reference photo.

The Forest in Oils

When I came across this reference photo I just had to do a painting of it.  It is 6 x 6 inches on Ampersand gessobord. 

Many thanks to Juneto (Wetcanvas) for the reference photo.

Winter Robin in oils

I love painting birds - they are so bright and colourful.  It is another one done on  the 6 x 6 inches Ampersand Gessobords.  Really like this size panel. 

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 Many thanks to Gary Jones for the reference photo.

Pears and Grapes in Acrylics

I really like the play of light vs dark with this one.  It is 6 x 6 inches on Ampersand Gessobord.  I must really find my shadow box I built a year or so ago so that I can set up my own still lifes - just have to try and remember were I stored it - that's the problem when visitors come - you pack things away and then can't remember were you put them.

Many thanks to Mprince (Wetcanvas) for the reference photo.

Etsy Coupon Code Discount

I have just finished editing  my Etsy listings in preparation for the Black Friday and Cyber Monday promotion - took forever.  I am offering at 10% discount off the purchase price.  Please use  coupon code  "CHRISTMAS12" to receive the 10% discount.  The link to my Etsy store is http://www.etsy.com/shop/AnimalArtwork

Sand Dune in Oils

I painted this one on the 6 x 6 inches gessobord that I ordered from the USA.  Really like the size of this panel - have quite a few more paintings planned for this size - planning on doing a combination of birds/animals, seascape, landscapes and still life paintings (keen to set up my own still lifes - just must find the box I built  last year).

Sand Dune is painted on 6 x 6 inches Ampersand gessobord. 

Many thanks to VickiB (Wetcanvas) for the reference photo. 



Lion in oils

I painted this one on the 5 x 7 inches gessobord - I really love this surface - so much easier to blend etc.  Ordered quite a few 6 x 6 , 5 x 7 and 5 x 5 gessobord's  from the USA as the Australian stockist does not sell the 5 x 5 or the 6 x 6 gessobords - actually worked out  cheaper even with the postage!!!

Many thanks to Gary Jones for the reference photo.

Symphony of flowers in acrylics

I must say that I never thought I would ever paint a musical instrument but when I come across the reference photo it appealed to me.  The daisy bush reminded me of my childhood as we use to have them growing in the backyard and  when I paint I tend to listen to instrumental music with  Bond being one of my favourite bands.  I thought the title "Symphony of Flowers" was rather appropriate.   It is 5 x 7 inches on canvas board.

Many thanks to Freda Austin Nichols for the reference photo.

Yellow Pepper in acrylics

I loved the lightening effect on this pepper.   Was unsure if I should paint it in oils or acrylics but settled on acrylics in the end as I wanted to see how acrylics went on the gessobord - really enjoyed using acrylics on the gessobord.  Gessobord is fast becoming my favourite painting surface to paint on.  Yellow pepper is painted on 4 x 4 inches Ampersand Gessobord.

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Many thanks to Lillian Bell for the reference photo

 

Birch Trees in acrylics

I have often wondered if I could paint something the size of a  ACEO ( paintings that are the size of a trading card - 3.5 x 2.5 inches) so decided to give it a go.  Painted these trees - I really enjoyed painting something this small.  Just haven't decided if I will be able to paint an animal this small - I am keen to give it a go though so will see how I go.

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Many thanks to Christine Striemer for the reference photo.

Zebra in oils

This is my latest painting.  It is 8 x 10 inches on canvas board.  Love how the zebra is standing on the ridge.

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Many thanks to David Stribbling for the reference photo.

Tranquil Waters in oil

I really enjoyed painting this one.    It is 5 x 7 inches on Ampersand Gessobord.

Many thanks to Carrie Layne Mashon for the reference photo.

Goldfinch in oils

Love the colours of this bird.  It is 6 x 8 inches on canvas board.

Many thanks to Gary Jones for the reference photo.

Nelsons Bay NSW in oils

This is my third painting on the gessobord.  Decided to do a small seascape for a change.  I took this photo a few years ago while on holiday at Nelsons Bay.  It was a bit of a challange painting it so small but it was fun to do.  4 x 4 inches on Ampersand Gessobord.

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Cherries in oils

This is my second painting on the gessobord.  It really is a lovely surface to paint on - paint goes on so much smoother than on canvas.   Rather enjoy painting the smaller pieces too.  Will have to look at ordering more gessobord as I only have two of the 4 x 4 size left. 

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Many thanks to Alina for the reference photo.

Sea Gull in oils

I wanted to try out Ampersand gessobord as a lot of American artist use this surface  and I was curious to compare it to canvas.  Eventually found a Sydney art store that sold them.  It is a lovely surface to paint on - the only draw back is the bigger panel sizes are rather expensive in Australia and to bring them in from US the postage would be quite high.  Might have to just use the smaller panels for the time being.  I photographed this sea gull down in Tasmania when visiting the Bay of Fire region.  It is 4 x 4 inches on Ampersand flat 1/8" panel gessobord.

Happy face in oils

Loved painting this one - he seems such a happy dog. Painted it in more looser style as I just wanted to capture his "Happy Face". It is 7 x 5 inches  painted on canvas board.

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Many thanks to ESP for the reference photo.

 

Quiet Reflections in oils

For a change I decided to paint a landscape.  Loved painting the autumn colours - they are just so vibrant.  It is one thing I do miss living in Brisbane and that is the change of seasons.  It is 7 x 5 inches on canvas board.

 

Many thanks to Janet Bowden for the reference photo.

 

Horse in pencil

Decided to do a pencil drawing for a change.  It is 17 x 25 cm on Mellotex paper.

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Many thanks to Rita Morgan for the reference photo

Green Eyes (Cat) in oils

Loved the colour of this cat's eyes.  It is 6 x 4 inches on canvas board. 

Many thanks to ESP for the reference photo

Tiger cub in oils

As mentioned before I love painting big cats so I couldn't resist painting this cute tiger cub.  It is 6 x 8 inches on canvas board. 

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Many thanks to David Stribbling for the reference photos.

 

Chicken oil painting

I rather enjoyed painting this one.  Would love to have few chooks in the garden - only problem is that the next door neighbour has a cat which visits my garden often - the cat  has already knocked down the bird bath 3 times so having chickens around might not be a good idea.  For the time being I will just have to be content in painting them.  It is  6 x 4 inches on canvas board. 

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Many thanks to Abner T Ibarra for the reference photo

Snow Leopard cub in oils

I love painting or drawing big cats so when I came across this adorable photo of a snow leopard cub I just had to paint it.  It is 6 x 4 inches on canvas board. 

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Many thanks to Steven Smith for the reference photo.

Chaffinch in oils

Decided to use oils for this one as I wanted to be able blend colours and acrylics would have just dried to quickly before I could achieve the affect I was after.  It is 6 x 4 inches on canvas board. Working on a few oil paintings at the moment so will post them once they are finished.

 

Many thanks to ESP for the photo reference.

Robin in acrylics

I couldn't resist painting this little chap.  I rather enjoyed painting a bird for a change. The painting is 4 x 6 and is painted on canvas board.

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 Many thanks to Gary Jones for the reference photo.

Australian Shepherd in pastels

I really enjoyed painting this one.  Love the different fur colours and the blue eyes.   The size is 24 x 30 cm on Pastelmat. 

Chipmunk amongst the flowers

I couldn't resist painting this cute fellow.  It is acrylic on canvas board and measures 4 x 6 inches.  Many thanks to Angeline Rijkeboer for the reference photo.

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Snow Leopard in Acrylics

I decided to give acrylics another go for painting animals (tend  to use acrylics more for landscape paintings) after finding a new medium by Atelier - Glazing Liquid (Gloss).  I thought that the snow leopard that I had drawn previous would make an excellent painting.  It is 7 x 9 inches (18 x 23 cm) on canvas board. The reference photo is thanks to David Stribbling.  This was only the second painting that I have done using the medium and I really like how it works as  it suits my style of painting.   I will definitely be doing more animal paintings in acrylics.

Horse in Pastels

I have had an idea for a while for a painting of a horse galloping along a beach.  I found the perfect  horse reference photo on Wetcanvas by Canis Lupess which I was then able to combine with my own sea reference photo that I took last year in Tasmania.  I enjoyed painting waves so I will have to do some more paintings that have a sea background.

 

 

Snow Leopard in pencil

Just finished this one.  The photo reference is thanks to David Stribbling.  I enjoyed drawing this one and I am thinking of creating another painting or drawing using the same reference photo but this time drawing the full body and not just the head.  Just haven't decided on what medium to use yet. 

 

 

Labradoodle in pencils

I decided that I would start my blog with this portrait that I completed a few weeks ago. It had been on my to do list for quite a while after I came across the reference photo on Wetcanvas.   The contrast of dark and light made it a perfect portrait to do in pencil plus it has such a cute face that I couldn't resist drawing it.

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