Finally Finished

"Zoey"
Acrylic Ink on Ampersand
copyright
Jan Gibson

I finally finished that cute little Jack Russell Terrier I've been working on. Acrylics aren't my usual medium but somehow, Zoey seemed to want to be in that medium. I started first in watercolor then switched to pastel but she just didn't begin to come together until I started using the acrylics.

I just got the final ok from her owner who said (and I quote)

"I'm so happy with it I could jump and touch the ceiling lol i feel like.It is wonderful, you did a beautiful job."

As I told the owner, part of the payment of any portrait or commission is the satisfaction of knowing that you've met the expectations of the person who has commissioned the painting.

Now I can let out my breath as I was holding it until I heard from her!

Thanks so much, Holly - I really wanted to do a good job for you.

New Commissions

"Zoey"

sketch
copyright
Jan Gibson

I've just started a couple of new commissions and will post the wips here. They are both Jack Russell Terrier/JRT mix and are cute as buttons. Unfortunately, the male has passed away but I received some really decent reference photos of him so I hope he won't be a problem to paint.

I apologize for the light sketch - I tried to enhance it in my graphics program but couldn't do much with it.

I think I'll be working one dog at a time but we'll see how it goes. I started with Zoey because it seemed the right thing to do (I don't know why!) but it was a little difficult getting a pleasing composition because of her upright ear. It was standing in nearly every photo I got of her so I think it must be a part of her that I felt I needed to include. It's just so perky and cute anyway, don't you think?

Jack

"Jack"

pastel on paper
copyright
Jan Gibson

This is a pastel pencil painting that I struggled over. The reference photo was pretty bad (no, I didn't take it this time! lol) as it was shot from the front using a flash. Many of the features were totally washed out and, of course, those weird "flashed" eyes. So, much of this was sort of made up as I went along.

However, the owner was pleased with it and kept saying that it was her Jack.

Guess that's all that counts!