Very productive day in the studio, Guildenstern and Jean are both complete now as well, so all four Lovebird portraits are finished! I’ll scan them and show you details as soon as they’re dry.

I finished two of the four Lovebird portraits yesterday, Rosencrantz and Lionel. Much of the detail is lost in the digital photo, especially with the rosy plumage in their faces. Hopefully their eyes dry a little faster this time, they took several days to dry after that first layer. I don’t think I can wait that long to scan them, and I’m not sure my client can wait that long to receive them!

I’ll finish up the other two gals today.

 

From the top – left is Rosencrantz, right is Lionel.
Bottom left is Guildenstern, right is Jean.Here are the birds underpaintings, you can see their first work in progress shot here. There’s a big difference now in how that background color enhances each of their portraits, it’s really working nicely, warming them up and really showcasing each of them.

Each of their paintings will get another layer of paint before they’re finished.

From the top – left is Rosencrantz, right is Lionel. Bottom left is Guildenstern, right is Jean. Two male, two female – and they’re such pretty birds! I completed the backgrounds on these four lovebird portraits, and will start painting them on Monday. This warm ochre will really set off their soft green and peach tones. I did a similar color on this lovebird portrait back in 2004, that one is an oil pastel painting though, so these being oil paintings will result in much more vibrant colors.

I’ll be working in all of the backgrounds over the weekend for all of my portraits. You’ll see a lot of progress shots over the next couple of days!

 

With the New Year comes new art in my studio. These are the rest of the commissioned works that I’ll be completing in oils over the next few weeks.

A. Custom portrait of two very wonderful people, this is 8×10.

B. Custom cat painting – this is Elsie. This portrait will memorialize her, as she’s recently passed over the rainbow bridge. Her mom sent me the story of her life, and by the time I was finished, I was reading through blubbers and drips. She had a beautiful life, and she’s got a wonderful mom. This is an 11×14.

C. Custom cat painting of Willie, a pretty longhaired tuxedo cat. He’s 8×8.

D-E-F & G. Custom lovebird paintings. These are 4×4 little bitty canvas panels that will get matted and framed out to a larger size to really make them a focal point. Lovebirds are gorgeous, as you know, and there are two pair in this family. I have all of their names, but they’re a bit jumbled as I’m not sure yet which name goes with which pretty bird.

H. That pretty little kitty, Cheeky, done up in a larger, 6×6 portrait.

Then there’s Katie’s portrait, and then I’ll get crackin on the Heron painting – because it won’t be long before it’s time for my first exhibition (in March) – and I’m a last minute crunch kinda gal.

Suffice it to say – my New Year’s Resolution? To Paint. A lot.What’s your biggest most important goal for the New Year?

Ashley’s portrait is complete, and I’m really happy with how she turned out. She’s a beautiful, fluffy cat and the lighting makes the depth of her fur really stand out. Of course her scan will look much better and be more accurate to color, but the painting will take a couple of days to dry. I’ll post her final scan and photos before I send her on her way home.

(click here to see the work in progress and final painting beside eachother.)

I didn’t realize that I was 13 projects behind in updating my Gallery! Yikes! I just finished getting everything uploaded, categorized, prettied up and all that, so I’d love for you to have a browse through my newest additions. You can find the thumb view here, and just pick a category from my gallery there. I’ve added blog designs, custom illustrations, two custom cat portraits, a custom dog portrait, the flowerbed mural, and other paintings and projects on my completed project list for 2006.

Phew!

Now I need to show you the final scans of Mick, Maude and Cheeky. (You can find these in my gallery as well!) Scroll on down, they each get their own entry.

Custom Mouse Portrait
8 x 10 Oil Painting
Gallerywrap Canvas
© 2005 Leanne Wildermuth
All Rights Reserved

Click “read more” for detail shot!

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I finished up Taba’s Mousie today, too! I’m feeling so productive, I even prevented a senseless murder tonight – grackle vs. sparrow. I won. Sparrow lives at least a little while longer. Man those grackles are aggressive. 🙁

I’ll scan Mousie tomorrow sometime and show ya again. Cause I like to repeat myself. A lot.

😆