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Saturday, June 1, 2013

Simple Little Work of Art for Someone Who Means the World to Me

My week has been a little trying and I haven't had a ton of time in the studio. I also haven't had the time I would want to read some of my favorite blogs. So if you haven't heard from me, I apologize. Life gets in the way sometimes. Regardless, I wanted to post a mini-project that I did last week.  It was fun, quick and a delightful gift to give to my bestie.

I took this pic...well, I actually stole this pic off of my friend's Facebook page. He posted it a few weeks ago with a caption that read:  Happy Dog.  This is my best friend's Maltese, Missy chilling out at their beach house in Florida.  The overall feel and soft tones in the photo made me want to use it.


I popped it into Picasa and played around with some of the settings and then reduced the photo into a pencil sketch.

After printing the pencil sketch version out on a piece of 8 1/2 X 12 watercolor paper, I washed the different areas of the images with gouache.


As I worked with the medium, I made subtle changes to the image, changing the lines and direction in the foreground, creating a little more drama in the atmosphere and intensifying the depth of the ocean color.  This was a fun, relaxing project and I had a blast delivering it to him at his new art gallery that is under construction as this time.

It's fun to create something for someone you love.  There is a certain nervousness that is involved in such an endeavor, even with something as simple at this little piece of art.  In the end, I think he loved it. After all, it has his sweet Missy in the image.  Who wouldn't like something like that?!  

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16 comments:

  1. I love your Happy Dog!
    What a creative process!
    Thanks for sharing.
    ♥♥♥
    Happy PPF!!
    Mary
    Mixed-Media Map Art

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  2. What a lovely idea! I've played with the photo shop pencil sketch but hadn't thought about what you could do to enhance it. Have a good weekend!

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  3. terrific idea and loving your wonderful results. Happy PPF, Annette x

    http://nettysartadventures.blogspot.co.uk/

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  4. Oh my goodness. I love this. What a great way to have a custom piece of art without the actual "sitting." If you decide to start painting for hire let me know. I would buy one of these of my dog in a heartbeat!

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  5. What an outstanding technique! Your results are super. I love what you did with the ocean and beach and the little doggie.

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  6. WOW, Lesley- That turned out really great. What a wonderful combination of computer and paint to create a one of a kind original. I love it- xo Diana

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  7. what an awesome piece, and what a great gift! you are so talented- i know i always say it! :)

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  8. This came out GREAT. I am sure your friend is thrilled with that happy dog portrait....so cute. Happy PPF xox

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  9. You did a great job. happy dog is so sweet, I bet your friend was delighted:)

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  10. Aww, how sweet! It is a lovely piece.

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  11. A very sweet gift for a friend, Lesley. I hope you have a great week ahead!

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  12. This is delightful! I'm sure it will be a much-loved treasure.

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  13. Love it! What a fun way to use the computer with watercolor. Love the subject too! I am a special friend! cough...cough....

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  14. his is one of those paintings that make me go AWWWWh, it is just so sweet! :)

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