Happy New Year!

A Pastel Pencil Portrait Commission, 16x12 inches, sold

This was by far the cutest job I had this Season. And what a perfect image for the "New" Year!

May 2013 bring all of you new goals, new surprises, new challenges, and lots of laughter!

Below is the photo reference with the portrait:

Visit my Drawings site, RitaKirkmanDrawings.com, for more samples and ordering information!

Thank you all for following my blog, and please share!!

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Lexi - portrait commission

"Lexi"  (conte and pastel pencil, 10x8 inches)  sold

A lovely little girl from a less than ideally clear photo. The photo sort of looked like it was scanned from a print from an image that had been downloaded and then forwarded. ...Or it could have just been a low-res file. But her radiant expression showed through with just enough of the right kind of lights and shadows for a wonderful drawing!

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Irving House

"Irving House"  (conte and pastel pencil)  sold

One of my more unusual commissions this season, and only about the sixth house I've ever drawn. Houses are both easier and more difficult than human faces. They're more geometric, so it's easier to get a likeness; all you have to do is keep things in line. But they tend to be profusely laden with varieties of detail that, while not technically difficult, can become tedious and time consuming.

This one was a special challenge, since the client wanted the yard 'cleaned up' and the the viewpoint on the house centered between the posts. The intricate (and slightly spooky) shadows of the trees were the icing for me, and what made the job worth all the effort!

Below is the reference photo:

 Houses usually start at twice the price of a face because of the time involved, and are individually custom quoted. Visit my drawings site at RitaKirkmanDrawings.com, to see human and pet samples, and price information.

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Frankie

"Frankie"  (pastel pencil, 16x12 inches)  sold

Here is another Christmas commission for a couple who is having me draw their dogs as they pass away (A bit sad, but what a lovely memorial, especially from good photo references!) I drew their dog Kasey ten years ago. This year was poor Frankie's turn. They have several more dogs, but are getting lots of great pics throughout their dogs' lives so that the posthumous portraits will be excellent!

I love smart people who plan!

Below is the portrait with the reference pic:

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Lauren

"Lauren"  (conte and pastel pencil, 10x8 inches)  sold

One of my commissions from the Christmas season. I've drawn this girl a couple times each year since she was two years old! Below is the reference photo.

My commissioned Detailed Pencil Portraits start at just $100. Visit my drawings site to see more samples or to place an order. RitaKirkmanDrawings.com

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Pepper

"Pepper" (pastel, 7x5 inches)  click here to bid

From a small mixed herd down the street.

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Honey

"Honey"  (pastel, 7x5 inches)  click here to bid

Back to the easel after a busy Christmas season! Hope you all had a wonderful Christmas! Here's one I had the underpainting done with the gold and terra cotta pastel primers from a few weeks ago. The photo was from a hazy, overcast morning. A bit different from my usual bright sunlight. She was a lovely warm white color, but mostly backlit in the morning glow.

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Frog #16 (Sumo-Toad)

"Frog #16 (Sumo-Toad)"  (pastel, 6x6 inches)  click here to bid

Here's a toad that I discovered half-finished from my late summer frog series (plenty of Terry Ludwig Eggplant in this one!) so I finished him up for posting. Doesn't he look like a wrestler? Wouldn't want to meet this one in a dark alley...

On a different front, I've been drawing away at Rolling Oaks Mall in San Antonio, as part of the Showcase Arts & Crafts show continuing through Christmas Eve. Been doing lots of portrait sketches, caricatures, and detailed pencil portraits, like the one below (this one from last year, so as not to spoil anyone's Christmas surprise!)

See more samples and prices at my Drawings Site www.RitaKirkmanDrawings.com


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Audrey with Flowers at Seven - in Southwest Art mag!

"Audrey with Flowers at Seven" (pastel, 28x22 inches) is a finalist in the Southwest Art magazine Artistic Excellence Competition, and is on page 90 of the Southwest Art December 2012 issue! 


"Texas Pride and Progeny" (pastel, 32x32) below, is also in the magazine (page 93) as part of the "Meet The Finalists" special advertising section for the competition. 

Both originals are currently at Cactus Jack's in Gruene, Texas through January 13, 2013.