As I continued to work on the other two (foal and other mare) I began to realise that by just putting on the base colours was showing me that the scale of the grey mare was out! This entailed completely wiping her out and starting the drawing again. Basically she looked to small, looking at the mo like a pony and not a horse at all. In the next painting you will see how she is redone to a larger more acurate size!

As you can see the next stage basically comprises of getting the underpainting of the first mare on. Her chestnut colouring takes a few layers so I was keen to get that on. Also it helps to see if the background colour needs altering and the general composition begins to come to life and show up anything that needs tweeking!

Ok sorry, with sick children and christmas Ididnt get as far as blogging in December!

:(

I will however say we had a great Christmas eventually and it again seems over so quickly!

Back to work on Monday I am already planning out my next 2 months commissions list.

As promised however I will show the work in progress of one of my larger commissions for 2008.

It was received very well by the horses owners and hopefully some word of mouth recommendations will be coming of it. The best type of advertising ever I am sure you will agree.

Run up to Christmas!

Ok , sorry to mention the "C" word! But it is my busiest time of year and I have already had to turn down three people for christmas orders. Luckily 2 took gift vouchers and one is happy to wait til the new year. Thank you so much!

I am posting a work in progress to let you see how I work!

The work shown this time is a portrait for a lady I met at the Romsey show. It will be of her three horses. She wanted them all depicted together in a group portrait. The mare, the foal and the new horse (to take the pressure off the mare)!

I usually get my subjects drawn out first then once I am happy with them transfer them onto the canvas in correct positions.

I then get a rough background painted in. I like to do this as it gives me the feel of how the finished portrait will look.

The next picture I will post will show the next steps. Come back and see how its getting on later in the week!!

Romsey show and some!

The Romsey show was great! Once you got past the mud that is! I was towed in by tractor, but once in and set up it was a very successful show. The sun shone and the public came in their droves. ( which also flattend the mud ridges back down)!

I had a lovely day and met lots of lovely people, took some commissions too. Probably my last for Christmas unless I get more productive. I have a commissions list 8 long to fit in before christmas so work is good. I will also be creating gift vouchers for those who dont want the pressure of a surprise portrait!

Also this week I have been asked to donate some prints to the Wessex autistic socitey which of course I did. The event was to show case the students work and raise funds for the charity.

I will doing a demonstration of portrait work and works with a palette knife at Fair Oaks art group near Southampton on 7th January.

Also after much nagging I am beginning my art classes at the end of October.
These will be fortnightly at my workshop and include assistance in drawing and painting in watercolour and acrylic.

New Forest Pony and Cattle Breed Show

Over the August bank holiday the New Forest Breed show took place. Its a three day show and very well attended. I had my stand there on the Saturday and the weather was kind to us after the first drissly hour!

It turned out to by a beautiful day with lots of stunning horses and interest in the commission side of my work. I worked on a commission whilst there.

So here is the finished portrait..."Twinkle!"

My next show is The Romsey Show. Broadlands. Hampshire.

13th September 2008.

New Forest Arts Society

Well the Christchurch Arts Guild exhibition was a great success and I sold a painting too!

This week is the New Forest Arts Society exhibition in Lydhurst. In the heart of the New Forest:

Open 10am - 5pm

Runs from 18th- 24th August.

Lyndhurst Community centre.

I forgot to take my camera to the opening but it was a nice evening and lots of different art on display. I have three paintings entered , Elegance, Depth and Game. You can see these on the website although Game is actually done as just Pheasant on the website! Doh! http://www.kathylewisart.co.uk/.

Precious(picture shown)Sold at the Christchurch arts guild exhibition.

I havnt been a member of the NFAS for very long and thought it would be nice to see how another art society is run. Heres hoping for some more sales and a sucessful exhibition.

This week I am getting ready for the New Forest Pony and Cattle Society breed show where I will have a trade stand set up on the Sunday and Monday. Please can I book better weather than the Ellingham and Ringwod show!! :)

Christchurch Arts Guild photos

Here are some piccies from the opening of the 60th Anniversary Exhibition!