#4: Cash’s Portrait

"Cash" 8" x 10" acrylic on canvas panel © Xan Blackburn
“Cash”8” x 10″acrylic on canvas panel© Xan Blackburn Chris’ greyhound, Cash, at age 10, is on her second life!  That’s pretty good for a spooky grey, I’d say!  She had a bad reaction to routine shots, actually died, but was brought back to life – a modern-day miracle!  And, a gorgeous, blue-brindle gal, to boot. …

Truman

Truman11″ x 14″, Acrylic on Canvascopyright 2014 Xan Blackburn Truman … I loved this big boy.  He was my first big greyhound crush who was not my own dog.  I rarely get to meet the subjects of my artwork, but Truman and his family are friends I’ve visited with all up and down the west …

Portrait Marathon: Tex, #17

TexAcrylic on Aquabord, 5 x 5© Xan Blackburn Handsome, lovely, almost ethereal Tex!  His mom is a wonderful photographer, an artist in her own right, and I’m honored that she trusted me with interpreting one of her own images. Despite a number of distractions today, and the fact that it’s Day 19 of the marathon, …

Portrait Marathon: Hannah, #15

Hannahacrylic on canvas, 5 x 5© Xan Blackburn Hannah Banana!  I’m told that she was getting told off right before the reference picture was taken, which explains the look in her eye to begin with.  Goodness knows what the little trouble-maker had gotten into!  I decided to give her a little more relaxed look however, …

Portrait Marathon: #12 – Wookie

Wookieacrylic on canvas, 5 x 5© Xan Blackburn Wookie, a rescued borzoi who has blossomed in his loving home, is dear to my own heart.  His story could almost be that of my own girl, Katie (rescued from an awful “shelter” in S. Korea).  Like my own Katie, Wookie’s self-confidence is still a little shaky, …

Portrait Marathon: #9 – Ruger!

RugerAcrylic on canvas, 5 x 5© Xan Blackburn Handsome Ruger!  His mom sent me a few pictures, and a description, as usual.  She described a protector, her “Sheriff”, a “relaxed but aware” presence, always ready to lie down. But the pictures she sent had me laughing out loud.  He looked to me like he had …

Silken Windhound Portrait, Hunter, is … Done! (Probably)

Hunter, silken windhound portrait
Tangaloor Malden, CGC “Hunter”11″ x 14″ acrylic and graphite on Gessobord©Xan Blackburn, 2011 A lot of careful work went into refining the silky hairs swirling around the ear and down the neck, bringing them in and out of shadows, giving them dimension, giving them some color, making them finer. Much more shadow was needed along …

Portrait Marathon: MikiToo is More done, and Lottie steps up to the plate

MikeToo needed just a little more tweaking, so I thought I’d show his final result here.  I’m so pleased!  I hope you enjoy it for many years, Judy! Meanwhile, I’ve gotten going on Nancy’s Miss Lottie, a stunning fawn brindle greyhound.  Here’s my reference picture, all photoshopped and ready to guide me through the painting. …