Sunday, July 11, 2010

Playing with the Dog, Playing with Shapes, Just Playing..


I had another 2-1/2" x 3-1/2" size sheet of Fabriano Artistico 140 lb. hard press paper and couldn't leave it blank. So I drew and painted a dog at play.

I loved exploring all the different values in this one. It was extraordinarily satisfying to do. A lot of joy in a small space.

This sketch is derived from a photograph at Morguefile that you can find here.











For Shadow Shot Sunday, I contribute a picnic table. I thought the circular shapes and shadows were interesting.



And because it has similar shapes, I throw in this photo. There is always construction here in Miami, whether we need it or not.

30 comments:

  1. What a cute dog! And I love the composition. I don't know how you work so small, but you make it work.

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  2. He's a beauty, Dan. You captured him in a wonderful pose that really shows off his personality! I love visiting your world!!

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  3. Such an expressive pose and composition. You can almost see the fuzz on the tennis ball.

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  4. Oh thats so cute, love it how he or she is not looking up but rather chewing away on that ball.
    Great colours.

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  5. What a terrific painting! I love it! Such a cute dog and so intent on the tennis ball! Fantastic! And I love your shadow shot for the day! What a great blog you have, Dan! I'll definitely be visiting again. Hope you have a wonderful week!

    Sylvia

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  6. A 2 1/2"x3 1/2" SHEET huh? It's a cute pic. He looks like a happy dog!

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  7. Gorgeous pup!! And all the circles- ball, picnic table, construction- very circular and poetic- just like you. Two Dan posts in one week! Heaven.

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  8. tasty puppy treat—
    ragged yellow tennis ball—
    better than a bone

    Shadowy Grapevine

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  9. Love the puppy! I think you really captured that pose well, especially the paw on the ball, and the mouth! Love the colors here too. I noticed all the circles too. It gives this whole post a sort of unity. Excellent!

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  10. The pup is just adorable, and I at first thought the pic was a vector image because there is such an un-natural look to it...great take!

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  11. beautiful drawing of the doggy Dan! =) It shows the playfulness of that lil buddy.
    And the shadow shots are cool! It's amazing how the sun is able to cast such beautiful images on objects around us, almost like it is painting in real time ^^

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  12. Now that's a very cool shadowy find. And your dog painting is adorable! I hope you have a great week ahead Dan :)

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  13. You've created a mini-masterpiece. It's amazing how much subtlety of value and color you were able to achieve on such a small support. I, too, like your shadow shots. I especially like the interesting colors in the one with the table.

    -Don

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  14. Beautiful composition, Dan: I love it.

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  15. I am absolutely mesmerized by this painting, Dzan. I mean Dan. That quilt is perfection, a perfect blending and melding of colors, so well done. Love the puppy and the grass just makes me want to take off my shoes!

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  16. 'A lot of joy in a small space'. A great description of puppies, and this picture too. You've an artist's love of line - but then you are an artist... ok, I won't tell you that then!

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  17. Your puppy painting is so lively, as befits the subject. I am amazed that you got so much into such a small painting!

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  18. I want to pick that cutie up and run away with it! What a special little piece of work. And, as always, your photos are interesting and compelling. nancy

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  19. Thanks so much for your visit and comment on my site Dan - what an honour! I've always loved stopping by yours for some inspiration (and a good laugh ;)

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  20. dog and ball...want
    Miami construction....don't want

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  21. Such a big impact on a tiny piece of paper! I saw this two days ago and forgot to comment because I followed your link to the Morguefile (where I spent several hours).

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  22. I cannot believe that is such a small piece - it looks big - it has depth and interest...the tennis ball looks perfect, the shading so realistic you feel as if you can pick it up. The puppy's personality comes through...Dan it's just great! Tiny greatness.

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  23. I totally agree with Deborah - fantastic watercolor painting of the puppy, full of life and personality. The photos are terrific too.

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  24. Hmmmm... I would like to explain more about from Step 1 to 2, but it's hard. I need to show you and it'd be easy.
    But I think the features that dominate the faces are usually the eyes, nose and mouth... so when the outline's done, I'd draw the eyes, nose and mouth in detail, and after that I'd use the color blender to lay some colors on the face, which I call shading.... I could also do it by cross-hatching the areas lightly, and then blend them and slowly pulling the graphite colors from darker to lighter area...and then I'd use the erasers to clean up wherever I want them the lightest, and refine them again using pencils to make stronger contrasts.
    Sounds tedious I know, but the whole thing from Step 1 to 2 usually takes less than an hour, sometimes less than half an hour if the face is "easy" to draw and without much shading required. I hope that helps =)

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  25. Hahaha Dan, that crazy dude is Alex =) And that's me having fun in the freezer with Mr. Iceman while working on the ice sculptures. People keep asking me to change my profile picture because it's boring and old and too serious... so I decided to post a picture of me when I am 'normal' and while having fun of course ^^

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  26. Thank you all so much! I really enjoyed doing this one, and I'm glad you all liked it.

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  27. Great job on that dog. I'll have to come back to look around, I like what I see.

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  28. I love that dog! Adorable! Even your shading is great. Considering the small size this is pretty detailed..Nice.

    Definitely going to check out your stuff whenever I can. :)

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