The most often painted breed of dog? Labradors!

Face it. People love their Labrador Retrievers! Black, yellow or chocolate, they love them.They live with them, sleep with them, play with them and enjoy them! So perhaps it is no surprise when I share with you that Labs are the dogs that I create the most portraits of.
Enjoy a few recent ones that I have done!

Bailey 14 x 18 pastel

The Perry labs

Another "Perry" lab

Page Labs 24 x 30 oil

Three Labrador Retrievers

Rex, Magnus and Ami

My 24 x 30 oil portrait of these three charming labs went home to their owner last night!
Two of the old fellows are pushing 14 but the young center Lab, Magnus takes care not to overpower his elders :-)

I took the original photos and then combined their images and personalities into one large oil that now hangs proudly over the mantle.

Originally the owners called me last year  but we were not able to get together until August. 

The owner of Ami said it best when he said, "This is frickin' awesome!"
Yep-does my heart good :-)

Dec. 6, 2012 update: Rex, the yellow Lab on the far left passed away Nov 25. RIP old fellow-you will be so missed by your owner.

Trio of Labradors! Following a work in Progress

There is no doubt that oil portraits "pop!" They are challenging in the sense that the artist (lol-me) has to work quickly to lay in the colors and work wet paint into wet paint to blend. Of course often I have to step back, let it dry before adding details.

Oil in progress Three Labs" 24 x 30

This large oil is a work in progress meaning, I'm just not done with it :-)

Although the owners handed me photos of their "boys", none were what I need for the "pop" factor. So I went back later and snapped quick photos with my old Nikon D70. Good for what I do so need to update to fancier more expensive models!

This is a large 24 x 30 oil and I gave them several choices initially. I like to do rough sketches so that the client gets a feel for what I'll be creating for them, and the actual size-a HUGE plus! Nope just sketches-no photoshop for me!

I usually wait and let collectors see the finished work but the dogs are completed enough for them to see what I first showed them in a sketch so after teaching a class this morning, I'll run down and let them have a peek!
 

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas to all! Remember the reason for the season!
Have a festive holiday and may 2009 bring you health, wealth and happiness!