Earlier this year I was asked to draw Bailey. A stunning chocolate Cocker Spaniel <3.
The Top Knot
I am so lucky to be asked to draw so many Spaniels. I love their curls and their eyes are always so expressive. Bailey has a wonderful top knot which most Spaniels have. My 3 year old Sprocker has one but its very long and straight. I have good fun giving her many hair styles haha.
I always start with the eyes on all subjects. If the eyes are not right the whole portrait will fail in any real likeliness. I always get everything blocked in and then as the other tones are put in place I rework areas, adding details and refining things as I progress through the piece.
The only time where I do not start with the eyes first if where I have to do the background first. For instance on my airbrush paintings. That will always be done first and my subject follows.
From left to right..
I then tend to work in most cases from left to right. This is mainly so I am not leaning on any work however this isn’t an issue as I use a product called Glassine. You will see this is all my videos. It is a semi translucent sheet that is PH neutral and acid free which goes across the paper/canvas allowing me to rest my hand down without transferring any oils from my skin.
Archival and made to last!
All of my portraits from the materials to packaging are all archival. I want my clients to know that when they commission any artwork from me that it is made to last. All of my paper I use for my colour pencil and graphite pencil pieces is PH neutral and acid free. I only use lightfast pencils which have passed museum standard testing and are the highest rated products. All of these materials therefore cost more money so why then take the risk and ruining or effecting the longevity of your artwork by not protecting it from your hand/smudging etc. When I package out my portraits they are covered in a sheet of Glassine and then placed in a acid free clear sleeve. I am very passionate about creating artwork that is the best quality out there for my clients.
Even down to the tape I use to hold the paper to my drawing boards. That is PH neutral and acid free.
Watch the full time lapse video of Bailey here ^ 😀
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