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MY PAINTINGS

I've drawn and painted animals since I can remember. From my pet cats to big cats. I find painting very therapeutic and love shutting myself away for a few days to finish a piece. Unfortunately the time to allow me to do that nowadays gets less and less?

I've attached some photos of some of my favourite pieces painted over the last 30+ years, I will add more as I gain photos of them as some have left my ownership now either as commissions or gifts. I hope you enjoy them.

(apologies for the poor photos as most of these paintings have been photographed after framing and the glass can be a tad reflective.)



'HAPPY DOG' 2019



Acrylic & Gouache on Canvas





Not my usual style, but a little 'pop art' for a change. Another portrait of 'Petal' my Japanese Chin who always seems to be smiling and happy in whatever she is doing. I just wanted to capture her lovely happy face that greets me every morning. This is a really large piece that now hangs in our hall way to greet all visitors to our home.



'MALEFICENTS FURY' 2022



Water Colour & Gouache, plus pen & ink





When I visited Walt Disney World in Florida way back in 2006 I saw this painting by Charles Wissig, an animator for Disney Studios in the 'Art of Animation' shop. At over $20,000 it was not one I could afford to buy, so I purchased the picture postcard instead with the intention of having a go myself. Well 15 years later and I final got around to it.

As 'Sleeping Beauty' is one of the classic Disney films it happens to be one of my favourite, especially this scene when Maleficent turns into the Dragon. This is A1 in Size so a large piece, but great fun to complete.



CHIMPANZEE - 2002



Water Colour & Gouache





One of my favourite subjects to paint are primates. This picture seemed to capture the Chimp in deep thought.



POPPET & PETAL - 2021



Water Colour & Gouache





This is a very heart felt painting of my two Japanese Chin girls, who I totally adore.



THE PROCESS



POPPET & PETAL 2021





When starting a new painting I always try and find an image or photo that has a level of feeling. The start with a simple pencil sketch to ensure I have all the features in the right place and right perspective. I usually then start painting the eyes...if I can't get those right then it simply gets scrapped! I have a water colour wash across the whole painting background and then start the details with layers and layers of colour.



'HERE'S LOOKING AT YOU' CHIMP - 1991



Water Colour





When I saw this image in a BBC Wildlife Magazine back in the 1990's it really captured my imagination. You could see the intelligence in the Chimps eyes, looking back and contemplating life, the universe and everything.



TIGER LYING - 2001



Water Colour, Acrylic & Gouache





I do like my subjects to be looking back at you. helps also to give that 'being watched' feeling as their eyes then follow you as you walk away? This chap just simply looked content with life.



TIGERS FIGHTING - 1999



Water Colour, Acrylic & Gouache





I loved this image when I saw it in a wildlife book, two strong male Tigers having a very vocal stand off! I highlighted their orange coats with gold paint to ensure they glowed as I image their real coats do.



TIGER CUB - 2009



Water Colour, Acrylics & Gouache





This was a quick painting for my Mum, so she could have the impression of a real life Tiger walking in to her living room? This little chap just had one of those soulful faces that I thoroughly enjoyed painting.



ORANGuTAN - 1999



Water Colour, Acrylics & Gouache





Again, this is another image that grabbed my attention, the original picture had the Orangutan holding a baby, but I thought that detracted from her wonderful face.



ELEPHANTS - 1985



Water Colour





This is a painting I completed when I was 14 years old having discovered the wonderful wildlife artist David Shepherd. I had the pleasure of meeting David 2 years later when I went to one of his shows in Birmingham and bought a print of his. David, always managed to capture the true feeling of his subject which is the main inspiration for the why I paint the way I do now.



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