Day 14 of 30 - Elegance

 

Day 14 of 30 paintings in June - "Elegance" (pastel, 12x6 inches)

I may be entering this one into a show. I don't know yet. Or I may have already done. I've been drafting so many of these posts in advance while I paint new paintings that I'm loosing track of days! 😅

Click here to see a GIF and some progress pictures!

Intent - New Award!

"Intent" (pastel, 6x6 inches) sold

I'm very happy to say that my little portrait of Mewler won Second In Show at the Austin Pastel Society 2020 Annual Juried Member Exhibition 'Celebrating Pastels!'

This was one of my little daily paintings from my 31-in-31 challenge in January. I usually put out some better work after having painted for several days. I just have to remember that right now when I have several days ahead of me and somehow I'm STILL allowing myself to get distracted by other things...

..But I'm preparing! Stay tuned for new art!

Meanwhile, although we had made the decision to cancel the APS Celebrating Pastels! reception, the show is still hanging at the Austin Art and Frame Gallery on Bee Caves Rd in Austin, and also Online HERE! 

You can vote online (or in person at the gallery) for your favorite for the Janis Langley People's Choice Award. Take the link and browse the artwork. Click on your favorite for a voting link!


(PS: See some process pics of Intent on the original blog post here.)

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Day 25 - Mya

"Mya" (conte and pastel pencil, 10x8) sold

Day 25 of my 31-in-31 for January!

Well, I wanted to paint today, but instead I had a severe case of the Wells Fargo QFX Download Blues. (sigh).

So, here's another cute puppy from last month's commissions.

See more pencil portraits at RitaKirkmanDrawings.com.

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Day 3 - Puppy portrait commission

A cute puppy (conte and pastel pencil, 10x8 inches, from client photo) sold

Day 3 of my 31-in-31 of January.

Took care of a bunch of paperwork today so I'm posting one of my favorite puppy portraits from the Christmas season.

See more of my pencil portraits at RitaKirkmanDrawings.com.

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Day 2 - Young Mewler at the Window

"Young Mewler at the Window" (pastel, 12x6 inches) $425 framed. Buy here.

Day 2 of my 31-in-31 in January.

Another cute pic of our Mewler when he was a kitten. He doesn't wear a collar anymore because his half-brother Argie never could tolerate one, and so to be fair, both are very happy to go without.

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Emma - a poodle commission

"Emma" (conte and pastel pencil, 12x16, from client photos) sold

It's that time of year when my focus returns to the commissioned portraits almost exclusively. Hard to believe another Christmas is just around the corner! This adorable and beloved poodle's human saw my work at the Main Street Fort Worth Art Festival last year and commissioned this drawing of her darling Emma, from 3 separate photos of her. (I flipped one of the pics to improve the composition.)

November had been my traditional "30-in-30" month for the past several years, when I would paint and post every day, completing 30 paintings in the month. That changed this year when I was invited to be a caricature artist at my home town's ever-popular and classic annual German festival, Wurstfest, which runs for 10 days in early November each year. (Only waited about 25 years for the spot, lol! Read more in my newsletter here!)

So now I'm out here enjoying the Wursfest and in between caricatures I'm getting a jump on some Holiday commission work in advance of the annual craft show at Rolling Oaks Mall in San Antonio next month (which I've been doing for a long time!)

If you like my portrait drawings, feel free to share my site RitaKirkmanDrawings.com, and let your friends know there's still time to order for Christmas!

Thanks, I appreciate you!

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Roxy - a Quick-Sketch Portrait

"Roxy" (pastel, 16x12 inches) sold

This is one of what I call my "quick-sketch" portraits. These are very popular in the Holiday Season and throughout the year as a lower-priced gift option, at $75/face.
I use burnt umber and white pastels, and sometimes sepia conte pencils (more of the pencils on human faces.) These take about 30-40 minutes from a photo, or 15-20 minutes from life (mostly with still-sitting humans for that kind of timing!)

This is one of my portrait options at Rolling Oaks Mall in San Antonio during their Christmas craft show. The dates this year will be December 6-24, 2019. If you want to order early and beat the rush, just send me an inquiry through my pencil portrait site, RitaKirkmanDrawings.com, and mention "quick-sketch portrait".

Roxy's photo

 I can get one of these done by mail usually within 4-6 weeks, but in December it's quicker, as the portraits are all I do then. But if you need it shipped back in time for Christmas, don't wait!

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Sophie - a pet portrait commission

"Sophie" (pastel on Canson paper, 16x12 inches) 2019, from client photo

My most recent pet portrait, and a sweet memorial! Another client gifted Sophie's human mom a portrait of her dog Chelsea 14 years ago, so Sophie's mom came to me for a portrait when Sophie passed into doggie heaven.

"Chelsea" (pastel on Canson paper, 16x12) 2005, from client photo

It's always interesting to see the changes (dare I say improvements?) in my style and technique over so many years.

If you or someone you know loves their pet and would like a commissioned portrait, contact me! There's still time to make it a Christmas gift. See more pet portrait samples on my website gallery here.

See the price list here. (Scroll down to the Pet Portraits list)

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Nabi - a commissioned cat portrait

"Nabi" (pastel, 10x8 inches) sold

Back from the International Pastel Convention (IAPS) and sloooowly re-adjusting to real life again. While I get my convention paintings sorted and my new pastel goodies organized, I thought I'd post this cat portrait from a little while back, since my son recently finished editing the video.

Nabi is a client's beloved kitty who had passed away. Luckily my client had a really good photo showing her curious personality!

This full length speed video shows my entire process, from the drawing through the underpainting to the pastel finish... enjoy!

If you are curious about commissioning a pet portrait, you can see more samples here, and a price list here (scroll down to second list.)

The Girls - a Double Doggie Portrait

"The Girls" (pastel, 10x8 inches, from client photo) sold

Another favorite commission form the Holiday Season, these two little Schnauzers were a sweet combo! The client liked the reference photo pose just how it was, with the clingy Maya closer and braveheart Sasha more independent.

The gift recipient loves it and sent me a pic today:

And I got some good process shots of this one too:

 The first under-painting layers are my gold-colored primer (which is the Golden brand Quinacridone Nickel Azo Gold fluid acrylic color mixed into Golden (brand) Fine Pumice Gel at about a 1/4 color/gel ratio.) and the Art Spectrum (brand) Pastel Primer in the terra cotta color. The terra cotta acts an my mid-tone.

On this painting I also used a higher-color mixture of some ultramarine blue (Golden brand) fluid acrylic color with the pumice gel to catch the darker values. I love how this blue mixture (being semi-transparent) remains bright over the gold color, but becomes quite deep over the terra cotta!

 My final under-painting step was to go back and tweak the light and mid-values with more gold and terra cotta where needed.

 Then, the pastel, starting on the darkest, and the lightest...

 ...then everything in between. When the under-painting has the image and values accurately, the pastel part is so much easier!

Thanks for watching! To commission a pet portrait for yourself or a loved one, visit my website ritakirkman.com. Feel free to share!

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Sir Duke - a Pet Portrait Commission

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

This beautiful 7 year old Scottish Rough Collie was adopted from a kill shelter in
2014 by Bill and Arlene Wimp.

Sir Duke is now a certified Comfort/Therapy Dog with the PAWS for Service Comfort/Therapy dog organization. He is also a San Antonio Airport Ambassador with the Pups and Planes program.

Sir Duke spread's doggie joy and love to all he meets!


See more portrait samples at RitaKirkmanDrawings.com.

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Buster - a Pencil Pet Portrait Commission

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

One of my favorites from the Christmas season. I've been hibernating most of this month with paperwork and pecking away at some brand new award-winning (knock on wood!) pastel competition pieces for some looming show deadlines, so meanwhile I'll post a few of December's drawings.

See more pencil portraits at RitaKirkmanDrawings.com. (Good time to order for your Valentine!)

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Dash - the other Labradoodle Commission

"Dash" (pastel, 18x16 inches) sold

Dash is the "sister" of Speedo, and was commissioned at the same time for my client's children on the west coast. It's always a joy to paint such fluffy cuteness! I love my job!

 When working on this Chinese MingART pastel paper, I like to blend the base layers before continuing.

Dash and Speedo, together

For info on commissioning a pet portrait for your loved one, visit my Commission Info page and scroll down to Pet Portraits!

Thanks for watching! Please share!

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Speedo - A Labradoodle commission

"Speedo" (pastel, 18x16 inches) sold

This adorable Labradoodle is one of a pair that I did earlier this fall for a client on the east coast. He and his "sister" Dash (post coming soon) were an early Christmas gift for my client's kids in California. They've opened their gift and so now I can officially post the portraits!

My client wanted fairly large closeups of each dog; something that would have presence on a wall. I decided to use the MingART Chinese paper (now available from Amazon) because of it's almost infinite ability for pastel layering. I used the medium gray color.

Here's a peek at Speedo with Dash... stay tuned for Dash's post in a couple days...

For info on commissioning a pet portrait for your loved one, visit my Commission Info page and scroll down to Pet Portraits!

Thanks for watching! Please share!

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Day 29 - A Pencil Pet Portrait Commission, and Special Offer!

"Sugar" (10x8, conte and pastel pencil) sold

Day 29 of my 30 Paintings in 30 Days of November!

Though this is a drawing, not a painting, it still counts! I've been really getting into the Christmas  rush of commissioned portrait orders this month, and have already done a few, so I figured I'd use this one from last year as a stand-in for today's post (and ok, also because I didn't quite have the time to finish a little pastel today!)

This cute little gal was one that I also painted with her human, Jasmine, last Christmas. See "Sugar and Jasmine" here!

I was happy they wanted me to draw Sugar alone too, because I loved this photo!

"Sugar" photo

 If you or anyone you know might be interested in a pencil portrait as a unique and thoughtful Christmas gift for a friend (or for yourself!) you can see more samples and ordering info on my drawings site RitaKirkmanDrawings.com.  From now through December 12, 2018, mention this post and the code word SUGAR for 25% off your order!!

Thanks, and feel free to share!

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November's 30-in-30 Challenge! Day 1 - Blanca Bunny

"Blanca Bunny" (pastel, 7x5 inches) click here to bid or buy

My tradition for November lately, is to take up the challenge of creating 30 paintings in 30 days. This is a popular endeavor for artists who don't quite have the time for true 365 daily painting. Instead, we take things one month at a time!

Most of my November paintings, like this one, will be auctioned at DailyPaintworks.com. Follow me there, or simply subscribe to my Blog, where I will post each painting first!

Thanks for following my journey! Please share with your friends!

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