Milly

When the weather isn't fit to go out to paint I like to go back to my pastels, and I am steadily building up my portfolio of dog portraits.  I did lots of commissions  (of dogs, and babies mainly) following on from my two periods as Artist in Residence at Burton Constable Hall a few years ago, but sadly it was before I kept a reliable photographic reference of my work.

You will find a brochure for my Painted Pets at http://janetpoole.weebly.com

This lively wire haired fox terrier belongs to a friend, and was caught mid-air jumping around the house (which explains why her ears are in flight).

Milly
Soft and hard pastels on Pastelmat paper
20x30cms

Can't do one without the other

Faith in pastel

This is Alyssa's little sister Faith, who is four now.  I couldn't do one without doing the other.  I now need a picture of their little brother Sam, who is equally as cute, but in a boyish sort of way, then I will have a full set.

Faith
Pastel on Ingres paper
21 x 28 cms

Painting faces

Alyssa in pastel

My mum has come to visit in the mountains.  It is very hot which makes painting at altitude very tiring so we have been sitting in the shade of the awning on our terrace painting faces.  

My favourite medium for these is pastel, and due to the small size of the works I find pastel pencils ideal.  My biggest problem is keeping the image fresh.  The temptation is to go back in again and again, perfecting, adjusting and generally fiddling.  

I like to be able to see the pastel strokes and the texture of the support, but I do like to get a decent likeness (for me it a portrait isn't worth it's weight in paper if it isn't recogniseable, although there is a huge gulf between being recogniseable and achieving a good likeness!

This is my niece Alyssa, my brother's eldest daughter, aged 7.  She lives in California and will make a perfect Prom Queen in due course.

Alyssa

Pastel on Ingres paper

21 x 28 cms