Coltraneacrylic on canvas panel, 8 x 10© Xan Blackburn Coltrane! You’ll be in my dreams tonight, I have no doubt! Your sleepy eyes, like banked coals on one side and striped with reflected grass on the other, your chin nestled in the grass, I want to lay down next to you and watch the … Read More “Portrait Marathon: Coltrane, #14”
Fletcheracrylic on canvas, 5 x 5© Xan Blackburn Fletcher’s mom is like me, I’m afraid: photographically challenged. Alas, those of us suffering this affliction are lucky to avoid getting our thumbs on the lens. After taking another try, we collected what we both agreed we’d better settle for, though it was still a bit vague. … Read More “Portrait Marathon: #13 – Fletcher”
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, … Read More “Portrait Marathon: #12 – Wookie”
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 … Read More “Portrait Marathon: #9 – Ruger!”
Tip TopAcrylic on Aquabord, 5 x 5© Xan Blackburn Tip Top’s portrait was a special challenge in that I only had one photo to work from, which was small and low-resolution, as well as being fairly dim. Her head is lit from the rear, leaving most of her face in shadow, with just a rim … Read More “Portrait Marathon: #7 – Tip Top!”
Bee Wisemanacrylic on canvas panel, 8 x 10© Xan Blackburn Wow! Miss Bee Wiseman is a fabulous creature! Her mom sent me a bunch of photos, but this smile just could not be denied! Even though she had not only the whole open-mouth challenge going, but the brindle thing as well, I just thought it … Read More “Portrait Marathon: #6 – Bee Wiseman”
Note to future participants: Have your photos ready! Keep an eye on your email if you know your turn is coming up, so I don’t have to skip over you. 😉 Miss StarAcrylic on canvas© Xan Blackburn Star’s portrait took a whole different direction than … any portrait I’ve ever done, I guess! Why is … Read More “Portrait Marathon: #5 Miss Star”
WaliAcrylic on panel (Claybord), 8 x 10© Xan Blackburn Whew! Wali’s portrait, on 8 x 10 panel, took me a little longer than the smaller 5 x 5 canvasses, but I could have been more efficient, I think. Also, working on the very smooth panel requires a different touch, as it shows watery brush strokes … Read More “Portrait Marathon: #4 Wali”
RileyAcrylic on canvas, 5×5© Xan Blackburn Gorgeous whippet-guy, Riley, with those smokey bedroom eyes … I’m in looooove! Riley has a brother who’s portrait I did awhile back, with a sort of flowery background. Riley’s reference photos included one with a fallen leafy background, and I liked that, but didn’t want to get too finicky … Read More “Portrait Marathon: #3 Riley”
SaraDigital painting (ArtRage Studio Pro)5″ x 7″© Xan Blackburn 2012 While sign-ups are going on, I still have some commissions to wrap up. These two are digital paintings, of wolfhound mixes Sara and Roscoe. Wow! That was FUN! (More below … ) RoscoeDigital painting (ArtRage Studio Pro)5″ x 7″© Xan Blackburn 2012 Lily and DaddyAcrylic … Read More “Meanwhile …”
