Jessie checks out her portrait.

What's the verdict Jessie.  Does it look like you?  She gave the lick of approval.   :D

Jessie Finished

Arches 300gsm.   21.5 x 34 cms

I am calling this finished.   I am ready to move onto something in Graphite.  I am not totally happy with it. I will do one in graphite and see how it turns out.  At least I have a live model here.  Hehehe.   

WIP Jessie #3

Arches 300gsm.   21.5 x 34 cms

WIP Jessie #2

Jessie.

I have toned down the color a little on the hair, I felt it was too bright. Altered the eyes as  on the photo they were a little too dark so using another photo of Jessie for her eyes which I feel looks better.  More work on the right side and the nose. The tongue needs more layers.  Quite a lot more to do yet.

Jessie.

Arches 300gsm.   21.5 x 34 cms

Well It's a sort of WIP. LOL. I did get carried away and felt I was so rusty with the color pencils. I will have to do lots more practice. Anyway i will see how this goes. I can always do a take two, take 3 etc.

Just checking my portrait. .

Jessie just checking to see how her portrait is coming along. LOL.

ATC Cat

This is an ATC  I did last year for the small PPN group.   A nice catch up with friends and my 1st ATC.
in graphite.    I thought I would show you this while I am drawing out my next project which  is Jessie.

WIP Jimmy Choo

8 x 12"  Arches Smooth 300gsm paper. 

I think I will call this finished.  I Will leave it for a day and make sure there is nothing to change.
It's been fun but curly white fur is always difficult.

WIP Jimmy Choo #3

Jimmy is an Apricot/White Poodle. It's coming together but White fur is so so hard especially when it's also curly. I am getting there slowly. I have decided to mist her out at the bottom of the drawing ...cuts down on all the curls a little with not having a lot of time. Still quite a bit to do yet.

WIP #2 Jimmy Choo . ( Poodle)

8 x 12"  Arches Smooth 300gsm paper. 

I managed to get a little more done on this yesterday. I am hoping to get this finished over the next couple of days so that I can get it in the mail.

Jimmy WIP

8 x 12"  Arches Smooth 300gsm paper. 

I have managed to get down to drawing Jimmy.    He is an apricot colored poodle.  He is so cute.
I am hoping to get this finished and sent off to Perth to my son Greg and his Fiancee Tash for Christmas.
I think I will make it in time.

Busy time of the year

Yes it's a busy time of the year.  Heaps of preparation for one day ;). I love Christmas especially when children are around.  I have spend many years making and fitting out Dolls houses etc. A long time ago now. My daughter and family live in  Townsville Queensland, My son and partner are over in Western Australia (Perth).  Nevs son, daughter and their families are in Melbourne (Victoria)  We are spread all around our huge country. It's not always easy to get together.    We will chat a lot on the phone especially Christmas morning.
So this year is is just Nev, me  and Jessie. this year.  Christmas day we will have Turkey (no fuss a nice Turkey Breast to slice).  Ham of the bone and some King Prawns.  Olive bread and salad.   A bottle of wine.     I have to have Plum pudding, Christmas cake, rum balls mince pies etc... you know all those watch the waistline foods.  hehehe.  Oh when I think of Christmas's many years ago when we had traditional Christmas dinner, it was nothing to have 15 - 18 family and friends around the table.
I am putting up the Christmas tree today which I always enjoy with the help of Jessie..LOL.  I will post a photo when it's finished and the lights are on tonight.
I will be starting a WIP  this week.   A dog....Oh no it's not Jessie YET .  Ity's my son Greg and his partner Tash's dog called Jimmy Choo.    The drawing will be a gift. Ssshhhhhhhhh...

How is everyone's preparations going for Christmas?  

Jessie

We have at last got our Bully.   We got her yesterday.  Jessie was a show dog and has had 2 litters of puppies the last being only 9 weeks ago. She went by the name of Audrey.  We will change to Jessie when she gets settled.   She will be 4 yrs old in January.  
Last night she was very worried and a little stressed.   Today sees a  huge change in her.  very calm and seems well settled.    She ate well at dinner last night and enjoys her walks.  She walks well on the lead.
Now retired as we are...Jessie can enjoy a good life with no work and all play.   We think she will be such a good companion for us and us for her.  She loves the tummy rubs.

Bison (Buffalo) WIP finished.

I think I will call this finished...  I can fiddle with it for ever LOL.  There comes a time to say  sign it and call it done.
I have really enjoyed drawing this wonderful majestic animal.   Now what can I do next.????  I am sure I will find something interesting from our trip.

Bison WIP #2

Canson 220 gsm Paper. 30 x 18cm

Got a little further on the Bison yesterday.  Still lots of detail to do yet.  It's so much fun drawing him with his thick coat     I'm not sure if they look like this all the time or if they are in the process of shedding the winter coat but then we took these photos in August/Sept.

WIP Bison

Canson 220 gsm Paper. 30 x 18cm

Time I started drawing.  A nice free day at last to draw. I am doing the complete animal so it will take me awhile. Lots of hair...  It's good practice.   It's pretty much at the ugly stage on the head. hopefully it will get better as I work on it.
  

Bluey having breakfast on the patio.

Bluey having breakfast on the patio. a video by Nev Cross on Flickr.

My work has been featured. (Big Smiles)

A nice surprise when an online company asked if they could feature my work.  Here is the article.
http://pocketchange.become.com/2011/11/best-of-the-web-no-39.html


Thank you  Max Shpungin.   Also here is a link of interest from the company.  http://tips.become.com/

Have a great weekend.

If this isn't the most handsome little Boy.

More on our trip in Gallery. 

I couldn't show you this before our trip as it was a surprise for friends of ours.  Lee, Charlie who live in the US.  This is their grandson Jake.   He is 3 yrs old now.  and still as handsome.  

I can't remember what size I did this but it was quite large.  It was great to meet young Jake in person.  Our last visit to them was in 2004. 

Photos of our trip.

I am slowly working through some photos to upload to Picasa .   I have created an album for China.

Please click on the Gallery Tab under the header on my blog site and click on the image for China 2011.

I hope to get back to my drawing board very soon now.  I didn't get chance to draw while on the trip...  Hope I have not gone rusty  LOL.     I have so many ref photos but not as many of wild life as I would have liked.

Hope you enjoy the photos.   I will work on the USA next.  this will be a large album as we were there for 6 weeks and visited so many places.