Murphy’s finished portrait 12″x16″ soft pastel.
I was asked to paint a very special portrait as a brithday gift to someone who thinks the world of Murphy. I love creating portraits of animals for the people who love them. Hope you enjoy his progress and little of my travels while painting him in Italy.
My initial line drawing on the velour and ready to paint. It took quite a while to draw out the straps but it will save me time later in having those in place now. As always I draw out on thin cartridge paper and transfer my sketch onto the velour as you can’t rub out on velour. This gives me a chance to tweak the drawing some more in that process until I’m sure of the proportions.
Working on the background and blocking in what will be a blurred or out of focus bokeh background. I’m working from two different photos of Murphy which you can see onscreen. One provides me with the basis for a nicer background.
Starting at the top and working my way down. It always seems to be ears I work on first but this and the top of his head help me begin to choose what colours I will need for his dappled coat.
The colour I’m holding here is a slither of a very light lilac. The photo reference shows him being hit by sunlight on one side which leaves more than half his face in shadow. There will be no white used on that shadow side but many shades of light blue, peaches and lilac.
You can begin to see how that light and shadow trick will work with the brightest white being saved for that sunlit area. I’ve also started working around his eye and am pleased to see him looking back at me now!
This past week we have made it across the North of Italy to Venice. It’s a city I’ve always wanted to explore and it doesn’t disappoint! Maybe I will get around to creating a Venice themed painting from some of my photo reference.
I liked this pink haired girl sitting sketching by one of the many little bridges. Everywhere you look is fit for a drawing or a painting. We only had one day to look around so I left my own sketchbook in the van!
I did however try to capture a few of the lovely gondollas for a possible painting. I liked how this boat is looming out towards us, it’s a pity everyone sitting in them had the phones in front of their faces!
In the palace square and one of the few big open spaces. I love how colourful Italy is and in this shot how varied and colourful the people are. People come from all over the world to see Venice.
First sighting of the big dome of Santa Maria della Salute. Definitely going there for a look!
Inside the building there are many great works on display and it’s amazing to see them in situ where they were originally created for. Here is a Titian.
I really could keep sharing Venice pictures! There was just a photo opportunity everywhere you look! But back to work the next day on Murphy so I better get back to my progress 🙂
Continuing to work down his face. I’m using some pastel pencil to really refine those horse hairs and I also used some pencil around his eye for the smallest detail.
Leaving out most of those straps until the end. I did the top one across his forehead as this forelock came over it and I wanted to get that done while my hand had somewhere to lean. For now though I’m just concentrating on his face.
I love horse’s noses, so soft and velvety and they actually feel a little like the paper I work on so it’s the perfect way to capture that look.
That’s most of his face done barring a few tweaks. I will finish down his chest area and then start work on those straps.
In between working we’ve made it down the coast a little to the first beach we’ve seen since May. We have spent so much time inland we’d forgotten how lovely and fresh the sea air is!
No to mention the fantastic sunsets you experience when you’re near water.
The slither of land we are on is called Isola Albarella. If you look it up on map you can see we are totally surrounded by water on both sides and it’s just a small road leading out onto these almost islands. Here’s Brocci doing some bird watching. There is so much life here, insects (not so good!) lizards, many bird species, and we even pick up a mouse or two. Thankfully they jumped off when the van started but I suspect that won’t be the last of our mouse encounters!We stay at the first beach a few days and then move onto Goro where we can park at the harbour. This is where I get the last day’s work done on Murphy while these fishermen sit outside my window all day.
Using the pastel pencil now to outline the halter. Then I use many shades of blues and browns for the highlights on the shiny leather.
You can see a little area I’ve finished here and I have a long way to go. The straps alone take me most of the afternoon before I do some final tweaks overall.
We are treated to a beautiful sunset in the evening and it always feels good to have finished a painting and be able to sit down and enjoy this.
Here is where we are parked right next to the harbour and although it’s a peaceful evening I’m betting that the fishermen will be noisy come dawn!
Hope you’ve enjoyed my progress on Murphy. Here is a little close up of his face showing the detail in his halter as well as the texture of his hair.
If you have a portrait in mind have a look on my website in the pricing tab or get in touch at info@emmacolbertart.com. Many thanks for visiting my blog!
5 Comments
Add comment Cancel reply
This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.
Emma I think Laura is totally bowled over by how you have captured Murphy’s character!! It’s just amazing you’re a very talented artist!! Many Thanks!!
Thanks for leaving feedback here Andy! I’m so glad Laura loves the present and look forward to her getting the piece in front of her for closer inspection!
Emma, You’re work is so amazingly life like. Each one looks like they could step off the page. I am beginning to work in pastels and find I really like it but what always seemed to be missing to me was the life like feature. Listening to you and watching you I can see what makes that. Not saying I can do it but it gives me some hope. Listening to you reminds me of my dear friend Fiona who lives in Belfast. I am wondering why you use velour paper. I bought some Bristol vellum and found that it would no hold layers as I hoped. I know you said what brand of pastels you use but could you tell me again. I will be watching. Thanks so much.
Hi Carolyn, sorry I missed this message! I hope you are progressing in pastel and enjoying it. I love velour paper as it holds a lot of layers and creates a really soft appearance which works great for animals especially. I think the vellum you mentioned is very different, velour is made by Hahnemuhle and specifically for pastel. Make sure you use a proper pastel surface as they’re designed to hold layers. I love Unison soft pastels, check them out, they’re dreamy! Happy painting 🙂
Hiya Emma I must say your pastel artwork is magnificent. I am a beginner really but I love it too.
I too use soft pastels, and pencil pastels but I’m only an amateur.
I have used Velour and other papers . Currently trying UART 800. I must say this is really good.
I cant get the detail that you getting in your animal portraits But will keep trying Thanks love Donkirkaldy in Barnsley South Yorkshire