Long-haired Weimaraner oil portrait

10" x 8" oil on cradled board

Even in the normal way of things, dogs' lives are far too short. Sometimes however, even these years are cut far too prematurely, leaving an owner grieving when they should have been enjoying the prime of their dog's life. Sadly, this was the case for Parka's owner. 

Love your dogs, cuddle them and be glad for every day you have them. 

Anne

info@azpaintings.com

Dalmatian watercolour - Chloe

16" x 20" watercolour on Saunders Waterford NOT paper

Today's painting is a watercolour on my favourite paper. It's what I would describe as a good tempered paper, allowing a fair amount of scrubbing before complaining! As I've described before, the surface is neither rough nor smooth but as Goldilocks would say 'just right' - for me that is. NOT stands for not hot pressed and hot pressed means smooth. I would suggest that if you're new to watercolours and want to have your paintings framed, you should avoid using the lightest weight of paper unless your paintings are very small. I've seen countless paintings starting to wrinkle when framed because the paper wasn't substantial enough. I've described sometime ago in this blog about stretching watercolour paper and in my opinion, it's a vital step and something I do even with heavyweight papers. In this way I never have to worry about the amount of watery paint I apply to the surface and always know the paper will remain nice and taut. 

On to the painting now. Well I think you'd have to look far and wide to try and find a prettier face than this little girl. I think she's absolutely lovely... and I hope you do too!

Anne

info@azpaintings.com

Dachshund and mum oil painting on canvas

14" x 10" oil on canvas

This was such a lovely painting to work on. How lucky we are, those of us who own dogs. In them we find the virtues it can sometimes be so hard to find in our fellow man - loyalty, love and forgiveness. I could add more - empathy, bravery to start with. I wonder just how many attributes dogs do possess? If anyone can think of more, please do comment and I'll be happy to add them here. Using the word 'happy' made me think of another aspect of a dog's personality - optimism. I shall be very interested to see what else anyone can suggest. 

Meanwhile, I hope you enjoy this painting as much as I enjoyed painting it.

Anne

info@azpaintings.com

'Peace' (lion and lamb oil painting)

14" x 10" oil on canvas

I just adore the expression on the face of this lion - what a majestic animal he is. I had actually intended posting this painting tomorrow but have just discovered it's World Lion Day today and so decided to share it this evening instead. 

In a world as troubled as ours, it is soothing to sometimes disappear into a happier, more gentle place and I hope this peaceful painting will help take you there. 

It is, as shown above, a 14" x 10" oil on canvas and is entitled Peace. It is available for sale and if you'd like more details, please email me at the address below.

Anne

info@azpaintings.com

Weimaraner oil painting - Chase

Oil on cradled panel

Happily in this world there are some people who go out of their way to help others in need. Sometimes those who receive this assistance are human and sometimes animal. This painting came about as the result of an auction organised to help a weimaraner rescue and was donated, not by me, but by a lady called Jan Ort, who has given generously both financially and in terms of time, to a variety of charities. The owner of Chase, the weimaraner in the painting, made the winning bid and gave the finished painting to her husband for his birthday. Chase had gone to their family at 6 months of age and was dearly loved, sleeping with his head on his owner's shoulder. He sadly died at the age of 13 and is greatly missed. 

Anne

info@azpaintings.com