The Graduate, Boxer Puppy Dog, a Work in Progress

ART. The Graduate! Maybe I should call this The Kindergarten Graduate! Work is still in progress but almost complete. Click here to view earlier progress images.
LIFE. I don't work on this painting as frequently as I would like. There is the old guilt factor that I'm doing something for myself and not for someone else. My lesson in life must be to learn to care for myself as much as or more than I do for others. We are here to first and foremost take care of the very life God gave us. Then I ask myself, "Why don't I?"

Everything changes. Just like water that becomes stagnant with no flow, life becomes dull without change. I am thinking that I need to stir up some change before Life does it for me.

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Boxer Dog Art Portrait

"What is art but a way of seeing." —Saul Bellow 


The Graduate. Over the past eight months I have wanted to do a painting of my not-so-little (anymore) boxer puppy Thor. This colored pencil rendering (pendering, I like to call it) of Thor puppy will be for me, however. A few days ago, I decided to start with a sketch in colored pencil. You'll see the initial sketch [#1] near the bottom of the image lineup below.

The Graduate • work-in-progress #2b • colored pencil

Above is a close up of the pencil layering in and around Thor's right eye ... and the overall view below.

The Graduate • work-in-progress #2a • colored pencil

Aside from the composition, I have no specific plan for how I will 'pender' Thor puppy. I am winging it and developing the drawing as the muse comes to me. Stay tuned for my next progress update.

The Graduate • work-in-progress #1 • colored pencil

How to Schedule a Painting of Your Pet. I do accept pet portrait commissions in oil paint, pastel, watercolor or colored pencil. You will find examples of the different media scattered throughout my blog and website portfolio (see left sidebar for links). We may be as close as computer screens but separated by miles, thus meeting your pet is not always possible. I can work easily from a few good photo references after talking with you about your pet. As I work and get to know your pet  through my pencil, brush or palette knife, your portrait comes together. I paint what I see and add your pet's personality into the mix. As I paint or draw, your pet appears ... almost like magic! My portrait of your pet will be as individual as he or she is. Scheduling is easy. Just click here to contact me. If you'd rather talk, please email me and we'll set a time for a phone conference.

Daffodil, final version

© V. Bridges-Hoyt 2009

I got back to the daffodil colored pencil study finally, and you see the completed version above. Finished. This is 5x5 inches, colored pencil and ink on acid free, Mi Teintes gray toned paper. This one was a joy to do. Yellow is such a happy color!

I thought I might finish the daffodil this morning. Not!

With colored pencil work, the layering of detail is slower. Actually, that is true of any medium, but pencil seems to take even longer. I think you can see the work I've done on the left hand side background, and I've added a little more yellow to the top two petals. More to come in a day or two.

Note to cousin: I'm glad to know you love daffodils! Do you have them growing around your house? They are blooming big time at the farm. Now when I want to send you flowers, I'll know what to send. :)

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Daffodil work-in-progress #1:

I am drawn to light, sunny colors now. Last night I began another small colored pencil 'pendering' of a daffodil. This is where I left it. I'll continue to build up color on the flower blossom as well as in the background. I haven't yet thought about a title for this piece. It may become something generic such as Daffodil #1 unless someone else has a better suggestion.

© 2009 Vernita Bridges-Hoyt

"Painting the Sauce of Texas"

animals • people • places • wildflowers

If you are interested in a painting,
please email artist@vbridgeshoyt.com

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Today's Blessing: Grandsons.
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Click to see available daily paintings here.