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Do you think that our dogs have become more even more precious during the covid pandemic. For me, there has always been something magic about dogs and the bond we form with them. I often say Ossie is the most spoilt dog in Ireland. However, although they may not admit it, I know that a lot of people think the the same thing about their own dogs. Ossie is with us now for nearly a year and a half, he's around two years old. Many of you will know that he is a rescue. He came to us about six months after Scruffy passed and broke my heart, but before the pandemic struck.
He had truly become a most precious part of our family, my best friend.He brings so much fun into our house. He loves to play and just won't take no for an answer. The simple fun of putting a treat up my sleeve and the laughter that ensues while he tries to retrieve is priceless. Of course I have encouraged his bad behaviour (to a point). He is a cuddle monster. He sits in the studio with me when Im drawing, he throws himself at me if I ignore him and yes he jumps on my head and tries to take my glasses ( yes I know I will regret that one in time). But to say he brings continuous joy would not be an understatement. Then of course theres our walkie's……… and the health benefits that it brings, physically and mentally. Its the fresh air, the "keeping the weight down", the having to do something. But also its the saying hello to "the woman with the pink hat", "waving at the old couple who do two laps every morning"and chat with neighbours I never knew I had. Its all the delightful conversations with strangers and acquaintances that used to walk on by. ( from a distance) Its having a friend, when a lot of us are really missing social contact. So for me although Ossie was always my precious little rascal, I do believe that unbeknown to me he had become even more precious during theses most difficult times. I.d love to hear what you think. I hope you are all safe and have your furry babies curled up beside you. Sandra and Ossie
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 My little baby Scruffy arrived into my life eleven years ago. He was a rescue and about 3 at the time. I was supposed to pick up another dog, but it had bitten someone. As we were leaving the lady said to me, I have a different dog if you want to just have a look. And out you came Scruffy, strutting like a pure bread that was worth millions, the kind you see in the parade ring at crufts. He trotted over to me and lay on his back for tummy rubs, my smart boy, how lucky was I that you picked me. He had no name but he became my Scruffy, my Lovefy. His legs were to long for his body and his head was too small, but he had the cutest little face, we loved him from day one. Our little Scruffy dog left us a few weeks back and has passed over the rainbow bridge. Some of you will know that he has been sick for the last year and we had done everything we could to prolong the life of our special little dog. Of course I am heartbroken and I now know what you knew Scruffy that first day I met you………………….You were indeed one in a million. ……………. Fly High my little Scruffy you’ll always be in my heart…………………………..  Since my little Scruffy passed a few weeks back I have been contemplating drawing him, I just have,nt had the heart to be honest……………………..I have not drawn him in quiet a long time, of course I have been meaning to……….. To say I have hundreds of photographs of my little lovefy would be an understatement and I have spent the last few weeks mulling over lots of his pictures. Often times when people ask me about taking photos of their pets, I say, try to get a photo of the face you love….. you know one were you think… oh he looks so cute in that pic. Thats what I have been looking for…….. In the end I decided on about ten. Of course I don't have time to do ten, all in one go, so this will be an on going project. For now……. I have decided to do just three or four over the next few months…… and I thought it would be nice to show you some more of how I work. So I'm gonna continue this blog , the more artistic side of it I will share on Facebook. I have decided to start with a big portrait in pencil. But after thats finished, I am also going to experiment, using artistic licence and some different mediums such as pastels, oil and watercolour, who knows where my little Scruff will bring me, Im kinda open to anything. So a few days back I started…… I have begun with quiet a large pencil portrait in my usual style of my Scruff, I will show updates of the portrait on my Facebook page as I go, I am working from a few photographs, as I often do with pets that have passed. As you can see I have edited them, to get just the portrait shot. The great thing about these shots is that they were taken outside and they are clear…….. I may at some point do some full body drawings of Scruffy, But for now I think it will be mainly portraits. He is nearly in his full winter coat here, so lots of hair and totally un-groomed. Scruffy had unusual colouring and you can see his funny little crooked nose in some of these shots. But I love his face in this first shot and thats the look I am going for. Some of you will recognise it as the…. is there even a slight chance that you have food look……….In truth he was well used to posing and in the end I did not need to use food to get a good shot of Scruffy he would just look at the camera until he got bored ha ha :-) #scruffydogart  This painting was inspired by a photo I took last summer of my very cute nephew. We were on our way back from a hurling match and granny suggested we stop and buy some strawberries. The original work is oil on wood panel 30x 40cm and it's not framed or sold yet. I love this painting myself and I admit I am finding it hard to let it go, so ya it,s sitting on the easel in the studio, looking at me drawing pet portraits. It's currently available in a limited edition Giclee print, details are on my original work page on my website.
Anyone from Wexford will tell you that this is a very typical Irish scene. Its a snapshot of Wexford life, where we are famous for our strawberries and love our great hurling heroes. When you work mostly from photo reference, the quality of the photographs makes a big difference to your work. I love getting the chance to meet and photograph a new subject for their portrait but it’s not always logistically possible. However, the client can provide a photo reference good enough to draw from, especially with the quality of cameras most people have nowadays. Even the new camera phones are great quality, but you need to know a few basic tricks to get the best out of whatever camera you have. Remember the better the photo the better the drawing will be. It's really worth taking your time and as many photos as you need, to get a good one. Often times its best to just settle down somewhere with good light(outside or beside a window) and relax with your pet. Have a cup of tea and just wait till your pet chills out. When everything is calm, get yourself and your camera ready and call or make a noise and snap!! This is the best way to get a good photo, you may have to do this a few times over a few days depending on the animal. Asking someone to hold the dog and standing in front of them with a camera will not generally work, in my experience treats are the key. Most important do not get your dog over excited. Here's a good example from the actual photo I took of Sadie to the pose I used. As you can see because the shot is clear and I was able to crop it to get a pose for Sadie, here s a few tricks you can use to get a shot like this.  1. Number one and most importantly take the photograph outside if at all possible, at the very least next to a window. If you are photographing next to a window or patio door, make sure your back is to the light/window/door. This will insure that the light is falling on the the dog/cats face. Natural light lets me see the details I need to draw a lifelike portrait of your pet. 2. Don,t use a flash, If you have enough natural light you won’t need to and I’ll get a true idea of their colors. 3. Get down to their eye level as much as you can. Or you could also bring them up to your eye level by putting them on a chair or the sofa, espically small dogs. As you can see in this shot I was kneeling down behind the camera. (If your dogs nose is pointing up you are not at their level) 4. If you need too, have a second person there to help. One to be ready to snap with the camera and one to pose the dog and distract them(not to hold them). As you will see in the example above Sadie's owner sat beside her, with treats and of course Sadie's eyes followed the treats. Most dogs will freeze just for a moment when you hold the treat up/ with some a toy or ball will work better. Most dogs will get overexcited very quickly in this situation so you only get a few shots. 5. The person behind the camera can also try waiting until they are just about to take the photo and make a noise that will get the dog’s attention. I spend a lot of time meowing and squeaking at dogs. It usually makes them freeze for just long enough to get the photo. Most dogs will get fed up this up pretty quickly. 6. Most importantly! try to get a photo that really captures the face that you love. 7. Lastly, be patient! The perfect photo doesn’t always happen right away. Sometimes it’s the first photo, sometimes it’s 100 photos later. Try different settings and methods as it is worth the effort to get that perfect shot and a great lifelike portrait. Do it over a few weeks, take one each day and just send them on to me. An over excited or frightend animal will not cooperate. So keep it calm........... Some Tips for Small Dogs I took this photo of Scruffy recently while he was sitting beside me on the sofa wanting to share my food. We are sitting beside the window. I took it with my phone, its a good example too. Another good place for photos is your car. When your dog is beside you in the passenger seat you will have good light and they are at your level. I often get great photos of Scruffy when we go for a drive. I just have to show him a treat! Always feel free to get in touch with me for more advice on getting the best photo. Do not send Photos via Facebook as they are compressed. You can send all or some of the photos to me at [email protected] and we can discuss which one will work best. Sometimes I will take the pose from one shot but will still need the eye color, markings etc from another. Good Luck! I can,t wait to see the pictures |
