It has been so great listening to everyone’s comments on the photographs for my giveaway.  It is now time to reveal the winner, if you have not already worked it out.

This is Eddie and Aashka

I think everyone was touched by the love shown in this picture and although the other one is beautiful this one captured the most hearts.

I am really looking forward to drawing this and to making it the first entry onto my website in the pets and humans category.

The winner will also receive the portrait as a gift from me.

Sorry Shelley and Ci, it was a really difficult choice

Thank you everyone for taking part and all of your comments x

I have chosen my two favourite photographs for my giveaway this month – one of which will I will draw and give to the winner but who should win??

Should it be this beautiful picture?

Or this beautiful moment?

I just cannot choose…..please help?!?

Let me know which one is your favourite.

A little progress on this drawing.

Isle of Wight Arts Open Studios has a new blog which will profile its artists over the coming months as well as keeping you up to date with what local artists are up to and where you can see them.  The profiles will give you an insight into what makes them tick.

Have a look at the first profile here – you may just recognise the artist

http://isleofwightartsopenstudios.wordpress.com/2012/01/27/meet-the-artist-pamela-stirling/

Every drawing starts with a sketch. This is the hardest part

• making the first mark on the paper
• breaking the vast whiteness in front of you
• setting the scene for the whole production

It all sounds very dramatic and, for me, it is. But I live for drama.

Art and drama are about emotion, if a picture doesn’t stir your emotions then it is not right for you. It should bring you pleasure and that is the best part of being an artist………bringing people pleasure from my work.

Anyway, here is my latest sketch for your pleasure ….. I hope

One of the best compliments you can get is to get asked to do another drawing for someone who is happy with your previous work.

This is one of those drawings and it is now living in France

This is Ollie.

If you are interested it is another coloured pencil portrait on cartridge paper.  It was not an easy drawing as the reference photograph was quite dark and I had to lighten the drawing to get a true picture.  You can see the comparison here.

 Time for another one

At the moment my time is being taken up by starting and trying to finish lots of projects in a very short time.  Some of them I can’t show you but you can see the first stage of my website overhaul.

It is a huge job but I am pleased with my progress so far and I have plans to improve it further….once I get the hang of the new program.

This is just the galleries as the shop facility is not ready yet.

http://www.raspberrydoodles.co.uk/

Please have a look and let me know what you think, as always I value your opinions and comments

You have seen my pet portraits.

And you have seen my people portraits

But you have not seen a people and pets portrait.

……neither have I

I would really like to add this service to my new website and need your help to make it happen…..

Please send me your favourite photo of you and your pet via email or facebook or twitter.

I will choose my favourite from your favourites to draw, add it to my website and send you the original for you to keep at no charge to you. A fair swap, I hope you agree.

The small print:

• I may share some of my favourite photos on my blog to let others help me choose
• I will retain copyright to the picture and use it to promote this new service (You never know how famous you will become)
• The picture will be sent to you unframed, that part is for you to do
• Entries will close at midnight on 29nd January
• All entries will be entitled to 25% discount voucher just for sending the photo but will not be subject to hounding

Yey!  My first complete drawing of 2012 

Martha the Giraffe

Planning to get her framed to suit her colouring I think

She will shortly be for sale on my new look website…..when I get it finished.

I have a commission to do next

It really will be my most creative year yet!

The eyes are my favourite part of any drawing and if I don’t get them right then the drawing is ruined for me.  Giraffe eyes are big and beautiful and full of character and an absolute joy to draw.

You can see my interpretation so far:

As I said yesterday, this drawing is taking a long time considering its size (20cmx14cm).  The reason is that it has taken some time to build the colours that I want.  There are 19 pencils involved in completing this drawing plus the graphite that I sketched with.  You can see them here.

I work with them all in a tin beside me, so I can move easily, and a paper cup for the pencil sharpenings.  I like to be comfortable when I am drawing and I hate to have to move once I have started…..except when it is time for coffee