One more Dash...

Okay, just more more of Dash...

"Dash, from above"

9" x 12"

watercolor

And here is the process for this one...

Dash, take 3

"Everyday is like Sunday"

8 1/4" x 9 3/4"

watercolor

Way back in January, when I was doing the 30 Paintings in 30 Days Challenge, I saw my old friend Melissa's photo of her Golden Retriever, Dash, and just HAD to paint it.  I fell in love with the pose and of course I'm a big sucker for Goldens...I painted twice in January, and just couldn't seem to capture what drew me to it in the first place.  I tried again this week, but I think the lesson here is that some photos are SO good as photos, that they don't make good watercolor paintings...

what's new in May...

Well, I have been MIA for a while, but very busy making art!  I have been dilligently fillling my sketchbook everyday and posting the painted sketches on Instagram, (you can follow me in Instagram @cindymcd)...

as well as working on some larger pieces that I will soon be listing on Daily Paintworks.com...

"inky"
9" x 12"
watercolor

Also, I am excited to announce that that I am now represented by the Walsingham Gallery in Newburyport, Massachusetts.  They have five of my dog paintings and I hope to receive some commisions through them as well.

golden

"golden"

9" x 12"

watercolor

This is not my golden, but he looks a lot like him!

aye chihuahua!

"aye chihuahua!"
9" x 12"watercolor

I love this little guys attitude!  In hopes of keeping things fresh, I didn't add a background, in fear of losing some edges.  I'm liking the sketchy feel!  

Here is my Instagram post of this painting:

Here, colors are punched up with a filter, trying to accentuate the orange spine of the book I'm reading, "Get It Done: From Procrastination to Creative Genius in 15 Minutes a Day" by Sam Bennett.

Schnauzer, complete

"Mini Schnauzer"6" x 6"watercolor

I've decided this one is done, but the more I look at it I think I'm done because I've overworked it, not because it is sucessful...  I really enjoyed painting this one, but its hard to find that edge between, fresh yet accurate and overworked but not quite right.  Oh well, just keep painting...

progress, process

Today I painted a little schnauzer, and boy, did I enjoy the process.  It was just a picture I found, no expectations, no deadline. Just a cute face and a limited palette. 

I'm not quite done yet.  I need to adjust the pattern of lights and darks, and maybe add a little more color, but overall, I like it.

Here is it, with another dog-in-progress...

I really like the sketchy-ness of this larger one, and am being very tenative so as to not overwork it.