Christmas card - Dalmatian

Baby It's Cold Outside - Christmas cards 

As I can't post my present paintings as that is what they are - sorry for the pun; they are commissioned as Christmas presents - I will be posting a sample of Christmas cards instead and I hope they will get you in a Christmassy mood and maybe even spur you to getting your shopping done early this year. In this, I would say don't follow my example as I can every year be seen flying around the shops at the last possible moment but even so, enjoying the lovely decorations, Christmas music and hustle and bustle (actually I love it!)

If you want any further information (about paintings not shopping!!) please email me at info@azpaintings.com

Ever Hopeful (Dalmatians)

Ever Hopeful - 10" x 8 " oil on hardboard/masonite

Well here is the finished painting - again I've had great trouble trying to get an accurate photo and this is as close as I can get. 

This painting is SOLD

The donation from it (10%) is going to Dalmatian Rescue of South Florida/North Miami

in memory of Hope RIP

if you have any questions or would like to commission a painting, please email me at info@azpaintings.com

Anne Zoutsos - www.azpaintings.com

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On a personal note today is my Angel's 4th birthday - here she is with her new toy - a squeaky monkey

She is now fast asleep on the sofa after a busy and happy day

HAPPY BIRTHDAY ANGEL!   XXX

Dalmatian WIP #3

Ever Hopeful - 10" x 8" oil on hardboard/masonite

Well, this is going to be my last work in progress for this painting. I found it very difficult to get an accurate photo of it, partly because the light kept reflecting off the wet oil paint and partly it seems because of the different tones in the painting which the camera had difficulty in capturing. This is as close as I can get it for accuracy and is a reasonably accurate copy. 

I know that quite a few people starting out painting find it difficult to give their paintings depth and this is usually due to lack of tone. I always suggest to novice artists who have this problem, to make a monochrome copy of their painting as it will then often reveal to them the lack of difference in tone. For interest I made a monochrome copy of this painting as shown below:

You can see that the painting still retains depth even when the colour has been stripped from it. The difference in tones keeps interest in the painting and this is what we artists are striving for.

The painting will be finished shortly (I hope!)

If you have any questions, please email me at info@azpaintings.com

Dalmatian WIP #2

Ever Hopeful - 10" x 8" oil on hardboard/masonite

This is Ever Hopeful a little further on - only painting in the evenings still as I'm busy with commissions during the day. It's frustrating though, as I'm itching to get it finished, but I must just be patient!

If you would like me to paint your own pet, just email me at info@azpaintings.com or click on the 'shop' button in the menu above and then the 'commissioning a painting' button.

WIP - Ever Hopeful

Ever Hopeful - 10" x 8"oil on hardboard/masonite

I think most reading this blog will know that I paint full-time. A lot of people think that painting all day must be a very relaxing occupation - well for some it may be, but not for me. I love it and am obsessed by it, but when I am painting portrait commissions, it is hard work as a considerable amount of concentration is necessary to ensure the painting is an accurate portrait. So, after the day's work is finished, the dogs are walked and dinner eaten, what do I do to relax? Paint of course! The difference with these 'evening' paintings (also quite often painted during the day when I can't bear not to get on with them!) is that I don't have to make the dogs featured look exactly like the photographic reference - although I must admit that a lot of them do, but the difference is that they don't have to, which removes the element of, well, I suppose, stress. 

The painting above is one of my 'relaxing paintings' and I still have quite a way to go with it. The plan at the moment is that it will have a dark background when finished. The owner and photographer of these dogs is Dawn 'Simengaard' Jaworski, a friend I met on facebook - thank you Dawn for sending the photo to me.

Once the painting is finished it will be offered for sale with a donation of 10% being made to Dalmatian Rescue of North Miami in memory of Hope - RIP

If you wish you can see some photos of Hope here although I warn you they are upsetting. Sadly she died shortly after being rescued.