Happy New Year!

I would like to thank all my friends and readers for their support during this past year. I apologise for the sporadic nature of posts recently and promise to do much better in 2013! 

In relation to this, it would be lovely to hear from you with suggestions as to the sort of posts you would like to appear here, so please get writing. 

Meantime, I wish you all a very happy and fulfilling New Year!

Apologies

Apologies for my lack of posting which is all due to computers!

I bought myself a new Dell laptop which started turning itself off shortly after purchase. However, it re-started quickly and I foolishly spent ages transferring all my files over to it. Yesterday, 2 weeks after I received it, it crashed spectacularly and I couldn't re-start it! After a few hours I managed to get it going and have been scrambling to retrieve some of my files. 

I don't want it repaired as I've read several horror stories about people who've gone down that path so wish me good luck in returning it to Dell - I've heard they can be very difficult...

I promise I will be back posting shortly! 

Ginger - oil commission

Ginger - 10" x 8"oil painting commission

Today's painting is a commission completed a while ago. It really is hard to believe when you look at her beautiful face that Ginger was in a shelter and was adopted from there by her present owners. Now happily she is a much loved member of a family and lives the life all dogs should be able to lead.

(I've had to start putting watermarks across the face of my paintings due to instances of theft of the images)

Cocker Spaniel - wip#2

Watercolour Cocker Spaniel Commission - Work In Progress #2

Here is the painting quite a bit further on. You can see that a lot of detail has been added to the body and head of the dog although the legs still need a lot of work and of coure it does need more work all over. I'm not sure how easy you'll be able to see that the sky has already been painted, but it has - it was the very first thing painted in. The grass will be the last area painted.

While I'm mentioning the sky, I'd like to stress the importance of taking it right up to the edge of the drawing and even overlap a little as there is nothing worse (well there is of course!) than seeing a blank area of white against the outline of the dog. If you try and fill it in it will usually dry with hard edges and look glaringly obvious. With detailed watercolours, you do need to have to think ahead more than is necessary in oils.

I will post the finished painting soon, although I can't promise it will be tomorrow - time will tell!

Cocker Spaniel - watercolour work in progress

Cocker Spaniel Commission - watercolour work in progress

I've just spent some time searching my blog as I couldn't believe I hadn't posted for so long! Well, it seems that is accurate and so I'd better pull my socks up and get posting more regularly.

Today's painting is pretty much self-explanatory and as can be seen is the beginning stages of a watercolour cocker spaniel. Still lots to do of course but the basics are all there.

The next work in progress will follow shortly.... (hopefully tomorrow)

Prince Of The Highlands

Prince Of The Highlands - Red Stag in Scotland

About This Painting:

Media: Oil

Size: 6 in X 6 in (15.2 cm X 15.2 cm)

SOLD

Black As Night - Black Panther/Leopard oil painting

Black As Night - Black Panther/Leopard oil painting

6" x 6" oil on hardboard/masonite

This was fun to paint! I love painting black on black as it's so interesting to see how many colours you can actually incorporate into the black - I wonder if anyone can guess the colours used in this painting?

I'm afraid the photo really isn't very good - it's hard enough to take accurate photos ordinarily but when it's of a painting like this, it really becomes almost impossible. I think though you can get a pretty good idea of the original painting. I might try and get a better photo tomorrow and if I do I will of course post it.

(Addendum - I've replaced the original photo with one which is a bit closer to the actual painting!)

SOLD

This painting is straight off the easel and will need to dry for approximately 3 weeks before it can be shipped.

Her Majesty - original oil painting

Her Majesty - 6" x 6" oil on hardboard/masonite

Here is Her Majesty finished and very regal she looks too! 

SOLD 

This painting is just off the easel and will need 2 to 3 weeks to dry before it can be shipped.

Her Majesty - work in progress lion oil painting

Her Majesty - 6" x 6" oil on hardboard/masonite

I know people have enjoyed seeing work in progress paintings, so here is another one. Today's lion will need a lot of time spent on it before it, or rather she, is finished but I think it's easy to see how the final painting will appear. 

If you'd be interested in purchasing Her Majesty when completed, please email me for more information - info@azpaintings.com

Snow and Fire - snow leopard oil painting

Snow and Fire - 6" x 6" oil on hardboard/masonite

SOLD

Well, here is the finished painting - I hope you like it.

You'll probably notice that the black background looks a little uneven in tone but that's just because it was wet - and still is! - when I took the photo and some of the surface has reflected light on it.

This painting was sold on the basis of the work in progress image.

If you have any questions, please feel free to email me on info@azpaintings.com

Snow and Fire - work in progress snow leopard oil painting

Snow and Fire - 6" x 6" oil on hardboard/masonite

Work in Progress #2

Work in Progress #1

Another work in progress painting - this time, a snow leopard. A lot of work still to do on this one but it's a pleasure to gradually see it growing and coming to life.
 
*********

I have now added a second work in progress image and if you compare the two, you'll see a lot of changes, some quite subtle. There is still a great deal more to do on the painting but I'm very pleased with its progress! 

If you would be interested in purchasing this painting once finished, please email me at info@azpaintings.com

HRH - original oil lion painting

HRH - 6" x 6" oil on hardboard/masonite

SOLD

Well, here he is. I hope my friends like the finished lion. He was purchased when his new owner saw the WIP photo and she has said she likes the title HRH - and I think it is apt, even though I'd originally only had it as a working title. After all here in the UK, Her Majesty The Queen is often described as HRH - Her Royal Highness. In this case of course it is His Royal Highness! As usual, getting an acurate photo is driving me mad - it is just so difficult to do! It is a vibrant painting without being coarse and that is so difficult to convey through a photograph - I have got it as close as I can!

If you are sad that you've missed this painting you can always commission me to paint something similar or if you would like to discuss anything with me, please email me at info@azpaintings.com.

HRH (Working title) - lion work in progress painting

HRH (working title) - 6" x 6" oil on hardboard/masonite

I thought people might enjoy seeing a work in progress. This lion still has quite a lot of work to do on it but I am pleased with how it is developing. 

Does anyone have any thoughts about a good title for the painting? HRH (His Royal Highness) is just a working title and it would be interesting to see what names can be thought up!

If you'd be interested in purchasing the finished painting, please email me for more information - info@azpaintings.com

Hummingbird

Hummingbird - 7" x 5" oil on hardboard/masonite

SOLD

The Very Best Of Friends - Whippet and Child

The Very Best Of Friends - 7" x 5" oil on hardboard/masonite

There can be few sweeter or closer friendships than that between a child and beloved dog. When Anne Stark of Pipers Whippets and Dachshunds sent me this photo I simply had to paint it - such a lovely moment captured in time.

Anne

Red Squirrel - wildlife oil painting

Red Squirrel - 5" x 7" oil on hardboard/masonite

SOLD

The number of these little creatures living in the British Isles has dramatically decreased since the arrival of the grey squirrel from America in the 1800's but efforts are being made to try and help with their survival. There is a website dedicated to this work called the Red Squirrel Survival Trust whose Patron is HRH The Prince of Wales. If you're interested in finding out more about the red squirrel you might want to visit their website www.rsst.org.uk

This painting is straight off the easel and will need to dry for 2-3 weeks before it can be shipped

Based on a photograph by Peter G Trimming at flickr

Horse in watercolour (and harness racing)

Thornton Jag

Large watercolour on Saunders Waterford NOT paper

A horse for a change! This painting was completed as a commission for a customer/friend of mine as a Christmas present a few years ago but I thought it would be nice to share something a little different. How lucky we artists are that so many of our customers become our friends, and often very, very good ones too. This was quite a complicated painting with a huge amount of fine detail but I am pleased with the finished result as was Sandy Platt of the famous Charbonnel Cocker Spaniels who commissioned it.

Baby Blue Eyes - Dalmatian Puppy Painting

Baby Blue Eyes - 5" x 7" oil on hardboard/masonite

SOLD

This little lady was painted as a companion piece to Bubbles. Her name is Santorini and like Romeo, the model for Bubbles, she is owned by Dee Dee Lancelotta. I love the way her pink collar so perfectly compliments her pretty blue eyes.

New Facebook Page

I have very recently started a new art page on facebook - you are very welcome to come over and have a look and a chat!

The address is: https://www.facebook.com/AnneZoutsosArtist

Goldfinch - original oil bird painting

Goldfinch - 7" x 5" oil on hardboard/masonite

Well, I don't know about you, but I can't say I have a favourite bird as I just have too many which I love. The goldfinch though is one of those birds I am particularly fond of and as it isn't as regular a visitor to my garden as some other birds, it is all the more welcome when it swoops in. They are such jolly looking little birds and if you've never heard one, you might wish to listen here: http://www.rspb.org.uk/wildlife/birdguide/name/g/goldfinch/index.aspx

Anne

This painting is straight off the easel and will approximately 2-3 weeks to dry before it can be shipped

Dinner Time - original oil of a female blackcap on feeder

 Dinner Time - 5" x 7" oil on hardboard/masonite

This female blackcap is based on a photograph by EoinGardiner at flickr. I couldn't resist this gorgeous little bird sitting on the feeder no doubt helping herself to the peanuts inside. I hope you like her too!

SOLD

Fairy Wrens Kiss - original oil bird painting

Fairy Wrens Kiss - 5" x 7" oil on hardboard/masonite

Following on from the painting Fairy Wrens, I simply had to paint these two again - they are just SO sweet! I love them!

Anne

Based on a photograph by aussiegal at flickr

Blue Tit With Blossom - original oil of a bird on a branch with blossom

Blue Tit With Blossom - 7" x 5" oil on hardboard/masonite

I hadn't intended painting another blue tit - Cyanistes caeruleus for the more intellectual amongst you! - but simply couldn't resist this little one. I have always loved the combination of pink and blue/grey - I just think it is such an appealing colour combination and the addition of the lemon yellow and definite blue adds, to my eyes, a really pretty and attractive combination. I hope you enjoy this painting!

SOLD

This painting is straight off the easel and will need to dry for approximately 2 weeks before it is ready to be shipped.

Blue Tit

Blue Tit - 7" x 5" oil on hardboard/masonite

These little birds are very frequent visitors to my garden and I never tire of seeing them. I liked the shape the bird and twig made in this painting and find it a very pleasing and satisfying arrangement. I hope you like it too!

SOLD

Shepherd Reflections - original oil of a German Shepherd Dog

 Shepherd Reflections - 7" x 5" oil on hardboard/masonite

close up of eyes:

This painting came about as a result of a challenge on the Artists Reference page of Facebook. I was actually too late to enter it into the challenge but I wanted to have a go at painting it and changing the atmosphere of the original photograph. In the reference photo, the dog is lying on grass with a ball type toy. I decided, as you can see, to give it a black background with some reflection as on a shiny dark wooden floor. I'm very pleased with the result and hope you like it too.

Anne

This painting will need approximately 2 to 3 weeks to dry before it can be shipped.

Fairy Wrens - original oil bird painting

Fairy Wrens - 5" x 7" oil on hardboard/masonite

I was absolutely enchanted by these little birds when I saw the photo taken by aussiegall at flickr. I've done some research about them and they come from the family Maluridae. This family includes 14 species of fairywren, 3 emu-wrens, and 10 grasswrens. 

I believe, although I am not sure, that the little birds I have painted are fledglings. Certainly in my mind they were as I painted them, hugging closely to each other as they face the brave new world - I can just imagine touching their soft plumage; how lovely that would be.

SOLD

Age Cannot Wither Her - Black Labrador Retriever Oil Painting

Age Cannot Wither Her - 7" x 5" oil on hardboard/masonite

The title of this painting comes from Antony and Cleopatra written by William Shakespeare in 1623. It never ceases to amaze me how many well known phrases were penned by Shakespeare.

In this instance however I felt the title reflected many things in relation to elderly dogs - perhaps particularly their capacity for love and devotion to their owners; and yes, to my eyes, senior dogs lose nothing with age and remain forever beautiful - in fact they become more so.

Anne

This painting is straight off the easel and will need approximately 2-3 weeks to dry before it can be shipped

Playtime! - Jack Russell Terrier

Playtime - 7" x 5" oil on hardboard/masonite

How many times have we dog owners seen this particular bodily pose in our own pets? It is such a familiar and happy invitation to play that I don't think many can ignore. Come on - play!

Anne

This painting is straight off the easel and will need about 2 weeks to dry before it can be shipped

Dormouse and Blackberries

Dormouse and Blackberries - 7" x 5" oil on hardboard/masonite

 Dormice, such as the one in this painting, are famous for being sleepy and their name means 'sleeping mouse'. If the outside temperature remains cold their hibernation may last up to six months or even longer and to accomplish this feat they store body fat during the summer months. These small, agile creatures are most at home in woodland, where they are well adapted to climbing trees. The hazel dormouse is the only one native to the UK and is one of Britain's most endangered mammals. It is a protected species and may not even be handled without a special licence.
 
Interestingly where I live dormice are particularly abundant and work is carried out in the woodlands to encourage the survival of these sweet little creatures. Last year we were puzzled when out for a walk with the dogs to see a lot of what looked like bird nesting boxes in part of our local woods. We knew though that they couldn't be bird boxes as the woodland was too dense and the boxes too low. We've since discovered that they are nesting boxes for dormice - a joint project between the Surrey Wildlife Trust, the local council and Guildford Golf Club. It's good to see people banding together to help the little dormouse.

SOLD

This painting is straight off the easel and will need to dry for 1-2 weeks before shipping

Beagle Sea View

Beagle Sea View - 7" x 5" oil on hardboard/masonite

In April parts of the UK were deemed to be in a drought situation having had 2 consecutively dry winters. In order to reduce the amount of water used, hosepipes and sprinklers - for watering gardens, washing cars etc. was banned in some areas, including where I live, meaning these jobs would have to be done with watering cans and buckets. I think it was the very next day that it started to rain and it has done virtually nothing else since! Well, all right, I am exaggerating a bit but it was the wettest April since records began and May has not been great either! All this means that I am now longing for lovely hot, sunny days and if I can't enjoy them in reality, at least I can enjoy them vicariously through my paintings hence Beagle Sea View above. In case you're wondering, yes, it is a lovely hot day in this painting with just the hint of a cool breeze to keep everyone comfortable; the sea is warm but refreshing - enjoy! 

SOLD

This painting is straight off the easel and will need to dry for several days before it can be shipped.

Wolf Gaze

Wolf Gaze - 6" x 6"oil on hardboard/masonite

SOLD

Another painting based on one of Lisa Husar's photographs. I really would recommend a visit to her site to see all the lovely images she has there www.teamhusar.com

Glen Royal - Red Deer Stag in Scotland oil painting

Glen Royal - 6" x 6" oil on hardboard/masonite

Well I wasn't sure I was going to be able to show you this stag painting as my computer has died! Fortunately I did have some warning and so was able to copy files over to this computer last week but I still have multiple problems - I expect many of you will know what I mean!

Anyway, here is my latest painting of a young stag in the Scottish Highlands - I love his expression - and of course hope you do too!

SOLD

This painting is straight off the easel and will need to dry for several days before it can be shipped

Black On Black - Labrador Retriever oil painting

Black On Black - 7" x 5" oil on hardboard/masonite

This has been one of the most difficult paintings to photograph that I think I have ever had! I suppose it is the amount of black, but either it comes up much lighter than it actually is or else flattens out all the detail. Well I think I finally now have it quite accurate and of course when people are looking at a painting with a view to purchasing it, it is up to the artist to make sure it is a good representation of the original. It must be terrible for someone to buy a painting they fall in love with only to find on receipt, it didn't look like the painting they saw online. I haven't had this happen and hope I never will - hence my reason for taking so long to get good photos of my paintings.

SOLD

This painting is straight off the easel and will need to dry for several days before it can be shipped.

Evening Gold - Golden Retriever in the snow

Evening Gold - 7" x 5" oil on hardboard/masonite

My good friend, Lisa Husar of teamhusar.com took this lovely photograph of a golden retriever caught in the rays of the dying sun, while he, with his thick coat, enjoys the snow. Lisa is a professional wildlife photographer who takes stunning photographs of many species of wild animals and birds but here she has used her own dog, Bear, as her model.

I loved working on this painting with its feeling of great peace and calm and Bear looks so handsome and regal - the epitome of how a golden retriever should look - although I happen to know he is often more playful than regal!

SOLD

This painting is straight off the easel and will need to dry for several days before it can be shipped.

Someone pretending to be me!!

Well, what a surprise greeted me this morning. I discovered a website, which I have joined in order to be able to post on their forums, called www.uniteddogs.com. I found that someone calling herself drawanne has posted quite a few of my paintings on there and pretended they are hers. She has also made an album called Angel and posted photos in it, some of which are Angel and some of which aren't, and also called Angel a boy which I don't think my little girl would be very pleased about!

On a more serious note, I am extremely worried that she will somehow get people to send her money for her to paint their dog and so I have been posting on there telling people to come through my website or email which, in case anyone from uniteddogs is reading this, is info@azpaintings.com  It's a little hard to be sure as she is Lithuanian and online translation isn't that brilliant!

Anyway, I suppose this is a warning to all of us to google our names every once in a while to make sure nothing untoward is happening.

Prince Of The Glen - red deer stag in Scotland oil painting

Prince Of The Glen - 6" x 6" oil on hardboard/masonite

SOLD

I was tempted to entitle this painting In The Velvet as the antlers on this stag are covered in 'velvet' which is the name given to the short soft hair which covers the antlers when they are growing, however Prince Of The Glen won out!

It was offered for sale earlier today but has now been sold.

Ticket To Ride - oil painting of little bird in stirrups

Ticket To Ride - 5" x 7" oil on hardboard/masonite

This painting came about as a result of a challenge on the artists' reference page in facebook which I thought it might be fun to enter. Those of you old enough to know, and maybe those not old enough (!) will know the Beatles' song from which the title comes.

SOLD

This painting is still wet and will need a week or two to dry before it can be shipped

Burnt The Fire - tiger oil painting

Burnt The Fire - 7" x 5" oil on hardboard/masonite

I'm rather enjoying this foray into wildlife and think I will paint a lot more of it. I love the expression in this tiger's eyes and the whole painting was a pleasure to paint. I hope you get pleasure from it too.

To those who have asked, the title of the painting comes from the same poem as Burning Bright: The Tiger by William Blake. This is an excerpt:

Tiger, tiger, burning bright    
In the forests of the night,    
What immortal hand or eye    
Could frame thy fearful symmetry?    

In what distant deeps or skies
Burnt the fire of thine eyes?
On what wings dare he aspire?   
What the hand dare seize the fire?

SOLD

Hunter's Moon - wolf and moon original oil

Hunter's Moon - 6" x 6" oil on hardboard/masonite

SOLD

I am a great admirer of the wolf - not surprising really I suppose, given my love of dogs. Whilst I will admit I can't watch them on tv when they are hunting, well at the kill to be more accurate, I love watching their interaction with each other, their great affection for other members of the pack and nurturing care of their youngsters.

I understand that wolves were much revered in Native American culture and were credited in teaching them about the importance of family and how to hunt and forage for food. Other tribes also believed they were spiritual beings and my aim in this painting was to depict a 'spiritual being'.

Burning Bright

Burning Bright - 7" x 5" oil on hardboard/masonite

SOLD

There is no question that the markings on some of the big cats are simply breathtaking and a real joy, and challenge(!), to paint realistically. It is only too easy to make them seem pasted on rather than an integral part of the coat and so it's important to blend them in with the other colours in the fur. 

It is of course the fantatic markings of the tiger which have made it prey to man's desire for unusual coats and rugs. This desire together with other pressures has led the tiger, the largest of the big cats, to become an endangered species - what a sad reflection on the human race.

This painting is straight off the easel and will need at least one or two weeks to dry before it can be shipped.

Bubbles

Bubbles - 6" x 6" oil on hardboard/masonite

SOLD

Some of my facebook friends are very prolific photographers and take some really nice photos. The photograph on which this painting is based was taken by Dee Dee Lancelotta and features one of her Dalmatians named Romeo.

I enjoyed painting this bubbly picture and hope you enjoy it too!

Anne

A Rare Beauty

A Rare Beauty - 7" x 5" oil on hardboard/masonite

SOLD

I had intended posting this yesterday but ran out of time. It occurred to me while painting it that maybe I am somewhat captivated by all things spotted! This jaguar certainly has a lot of spots and was quite difficult to paint, given the small size of the work. Getting a reasonably accurate photo has proved even more difficult! I hope though that I have managed to achieve both aims fairly well and that you enjoy A Rare Beauty.

Little Harvest Mouse

Little Harvest Mouse - 7" x 5" oil on hardboard/masonite

SOLD

This is the second harvest mouse I have painted. They are such sweet little animals and we have a lot which live up on Merrow Downs - an area of grassland very near where I live. For those who might wonder, they only live in the countryside, not houses and I think they are absolutely lovely!

This painting is straight off the easel and will need to dry for several days before it can be shipped. Based on a photograph by whiskymac at flickr

Beauty In The Beast - White Lion Original Oil

Beauty In The Beast - 6" x 6" oil on hardboard/masonite

 close-up of the eyes

I fell in love with the photograph on which this painting is based and am very grateful to Sooper-Deviant at deviantART for allowing me to use it as reference for a painting. 

I think in this coming year I will be painting quite a few different subjects, including some little trinkets I own, which are very valuable to me although I believe of little intrinsic value; I'd like to share them though.

Anne

In Deep Thought (Labrador painting)

In Deep Thought - 7" x 5" oil on hardboard/masonite

Well at last I am starting to recover from a horrible bout of 'flu and would like to thank those who sent good wishes.

Before I get working on commissions again, I thought I'd like to create a painting which would show one of the characteristics of dogs which I value very highly and this is their quality of spirit. I do believe that where dogs have lived in such very close proximity to humans for so very long a time, that they have developed a special quality of soul and are capable of a great depth of emotion which we do not normally associate with any other creatures than humans. I think the expression on this dog demonstrates this well.

Anne

Based on a photograph by Carlos94117 at flickr

Happy New Year (somewhat late!)

I'm sorry I wasn't here on New Year's Eve to wish you all the very best for the forthcoming year but unfortunately I was unwell and although I still am, at least I have recovered enough to wish everyone a belated but nevertheless very.....