On The Easel:updated 24.03.08

This page will be regularly updated with my latest work as it progresses.

It has been a very busy but enjoyable season, but now it is time to get down to doing all those commissions that have been stacking up while I have been out enjoying myself with the dogs. Now all the adult dogs are having a well earned rest before grouse pair counting starts and the youngsters are back in training.

Commissions are rolling in as fast as I can paint them, mainly dog portraits, pets, working sheep dogs and gundogs of all shapes sizes and colours. I am looking forward to getting started on a commissioned portrait of a beautiful kind looking heavy horse in full winter coat - I love hairy!

During the season I concentrated on painting partridges, snipe, woodcock and roe and I am pleased to say that all the work sold very quickly not even making the web-site. Now I have lots of ideas for new paintings from my experiences this season I just wish there were more hours in a day!

After a recent walk up local Ben Rinnes where Luise had the opportunity to photograph Ptarmigan, I can't wait to get started on a painting of these beautiful birds amongst the snow and the rocks with fantastic views of the distant Cairngorm's.

Painting of "Lad" a favourite working sheepdog. Lad gave many years of faithful service and is being commemorated in this painting. It shows a portrait of Lad as an old dog with a study of him to one side when he was younger, running hard alongside a yew to turn her, with the family farm and Welsh hills in the background.The painting is finished now barring any final adjustments after I have put it away to "rest" for a few days after which I can look at it with fresh eyes.

This is "Sumo" a magnificent black Lab now finished . Every artist will admit that black Labs can be one of the most difficult dogs to paint. They are SO black and yet you can observe a hundred different shades within their blackness. Fortunately I have two black Labs at my feet for reference! It is particularly difficult in watercolour which is by nature a translucent medium. Layer upon layer of colour is laid down - hard work but very rewarding when the dog is as handsome as Sumo and I have such a lovely photograph to work from. I can imagine that oil paint or pastel is a lot easier and less time consuming - but I love my watercolours and am a bit too old to change now!