Horse Portrait - Graphite Drawing of Bud - 2nd Step

Now that there is tone on all areas of the face I have started to add some detail. I've also started to commit to the darkest darks. If I make an area too dark too soon, it is difficult to change it and keep the freshness of the work. Often people ask me if pencil is easier since I can erase things. My answer is no because to keep the clean fresh look that I am after, I must get it right the first time. I only use my eraser as a tool to draw with and not as a means to correct the drawing. (Or let's just say I always try not to have to correct anything.) At all times I am comparing values and working the image as a whole. No area is considered finished until the entire piece is finished.

Don't forget to visit my other site http://www.squidoo.com/soulfulstudiospetportraits/. In the next week or so I will be adding a Cafe Press store to this site where you will be able to buy items with some of my most requested images on them. Gracie has her own spot there as well with updates on her training (roll eyes here). I'll be starting her own blog shortly.

I'm excited to announce that I will be having a booth at the Open House for Canine Partners for Life in Cochranville, PA on September 9th. This is a great organization that trains and provides assistance dogs of all types. Check out their website to read about the great canine/human teams they put together. Contact me if you think you might make it out there for a great day.

If you are ever in Salem, NJ stop by “Broadway Joe’s Café” to have a cup of java and enjoy some art. My work as well as some other artists is on display there. I will also be showing work at "Beans Coffee Shop" in Woodstown, NJ some time in October.

horse portraits
pet portraits

Horse Portrait - Graphite Drawing of Bud - The Beginning

This is the beginning of Bud's portrait. At this stage I am just laying in basic flat tones that are a value or two lighter than the finish will be. Here I am developing form and pushing and pulling the lights and darks to create dimension. No details are added yet and especially not the "hair by hair" look that I am so known for. This can only be done after the entire piece has tone/value and that all areas relate to each other properly. I am easily a week away from that stage or more considering the many projects I am juggling at the moment. This horse portrait is a pleasure to work on because at this 16x20 size it is almost the size of a true horse head. It really is like touching the horse with every pencil stroke.

I invite you to visit my new web outlet for my studio at Squidoo. Here contributors create "lenses" instead of blogs. Mine is http://www.squidoo.com/soulfulstudiospetportraits/ and gives another look into the studio. It even gives you access to videos by yours truly. (Ok, maybe that is just more Lori than you bargained for.) Also included there will be a running log about my dog Gracie and all that she has taught me, whether I wanted to learn or not. Please take the time to rate my lens as it will increase my visibility there. By creating a greater web presence I hope to have more business that will further help me contribute to some special organizations I am currently getting involved with. Stay tuned to more info about that.

horse portraits
pet portraits

Horse Portrait - Graphite Drawing of Bud - The Photo

This is Bud. He happily resides and works at "Raise Your Dreams" farm in Woodstown, NJ and will be the next subject in my collection of commissioned pet portraits. I took 60 photos of him; this is the photo that captured his human companion's heart. Over the next few weeks I will share with you how I will turn this photograph into a custom graphite pet portrait. If you are interested in having an animal portrait created for a holiday gift, now is the best time to contact me.

Soulful Studios is now proud to be included in the AKC Museum of the Dog's artists registry. Other good news is that "Supwana Light" previously featured here will now be part of the permanent collection of Our Lady of Lourdes Medical Center's new pavilion in October of this year. Stay tuned for updates and press information about the pavilion and the artists to be honored.

Salem County Resident #3

Salem County Resident #3
8x8 oil on canvas
$100

This is the final in my series of bovine paintings. This one seemed to speak to me most of all. This is a unique area in which I live and I hope with this series of works I am able to bring to you just a bit of the glory that I see here.

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Salem County Resident #2

Salem County Resident #2
8x8 oil on canvas
$100

This is the second in a series of bovine paintings. I couldn't resist the crazy "red wig" this one was sporting.

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painting a day
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Salem County Resident #1

Salem County Resident #1
8x8 oil on canvas
$100

This is the first of a series of bovine paintings. They will all be representatives of Salem County, NJ. I've decided to focus on the images of my neighborhood. If you click back through my last 4 posts or so this is self evident.

Click to purchase.


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art
painting a day
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