Cole (greyhound), #9 in the 2014 Portrait Marathon

"Cole" (greyhound) 8" x 10" acrylic on panel, © Xan Blackburn
“Cole” (greyhound) 8″ x 10″ acrylic on panel, © Xan Blackburn

Bud – Digital Pet Portrait, and my Other Job

BudDigital painting (Artrage 4)5″ x 7″ @300dpi© Xan Blackburn 2014 My series of paintings of Ellen’s dogs continues with handsome Bud.  I loved his gentle, relaxed smile, his soft hair and wonderful markings, but who could resist those bluuuuuuue eyes! Working on paintings in a digital way allows a lot of freedom to experiment without committing …

FPM #9: Sammi is done!

Sammi – work in progress5″ x 5″ acrylic on canvas©Xan Blackburn 2012 Fall Portrait Marathon, Sammi  Sammi’s portrait wrapped up pretty quickly.   While I wait for it to dry enough to scan, I’ll show you this intermediate version.  Some of the “magic” white glazing has gone in, and is particularly visible on the tongue here. …

FPM #9: Sunny Sammi begins to pop

Sammi – work in progress5″ x 5″ acrylic on canvas©Xan Blackburn 2012 Fall Portrait Marathon, Sammi  Sammi’s portrait is zipping along now.  Even though he’s such a subtle guy (except for his exuberant personality, of course!), some truly deep darks are necessary to make his light face have dimension, to POP it out of the …

FPM #9: Sunny Sammi!

Sammi – work in progress5″ x 5″ acrylic on canvas©Xan Blackburn 2012 Sammi was a happy guy! According to his human, Sammi came to them as an 11.5 year old bounce, wobbly and with a “slight fecal incontinence”.  He was a sweet ol’ guy, but had no problem telling his humans he was in want …

FPM: Matt is Done!

Matt5″ x 5″, Acrylic on canvas©Xan Blackburn 2012  Fall Portrait Marathon, Painting #7: Matt  Matt’s painting finished up in one sustained burst, and I didn’t get any more progress pics for you.  Sorry about that!   We left off here.  One of the first things I did when I picked my brushes back up was …

Remember that “Mystery Portrait”?

I realized today that I never did give you the whole picture of this portrait from last November.  I gave lots of teasers over several posts because it was meant to be a surprise present, so I couldn’t give it away. Well, the present was given and received, so I’m free to share it with …

FPM: I’m baa-aack! Meet Matt

Matt – reference photo  Fall Portrait Marathon, Painting #7: Matt  This is Matt.  Those bedroom eyes with their serious gaze are inspiring feelings of warmth, and a distinct desire to give him cookies! His owner, Christine, got in on an earlier marathon, giving me the chance to paint her boy Hamilton in a field of …

FPM: Kasey is DONE!

Kasey – work in progressacrylic on canvas, 5″ x 5″© Xan Blackburn, 2011  Fall Portrait Marathon, Painting #6: Kasey The Holiday Hiatus, if I may so name it retroactively, has passed, and work has resumed.  Kasey, whom we last saw smiling brightly as you see him on the right, has moved through the last few stages …

FPM: Christine’s Hailey is done!

Christine’s Haileyacrylic on canvas,  5″ x 5″©Xan Blackburn 2011 Fall Portrait Marathon: First painting is complete. Christine’s pretty fawn greyhound, Hailey, was simply a joy to paint.  This is what I had in my  head while I was working, from Hailey’s mom: Hailey was diagnosed with osteo when we got back from Dewey.  She started …