My Progress

Egg Tempera

I have currently been learning how to paint with egg tempera mixing with pigments and using eggs.  This is a 14th-century technique that I have fully emerged myself into. 

Horse Portrait painted in watercolour

July 2023

2023 pet portrait video 

Watercolour pet portrait by Michelle Martin 2023

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I get some commissions from the USA.

I was fortunate to get this horse to paint in watercolour. 

 27th October 2022.

watercolour pet portrait 

Oct 2022

Charlie painted in watercolour 

Precise detail achieved.
 

Advert in the Gundog Journal was successful and helped me get the word out about my Pet Portraits painted in watercolour.

July 26th 202The deadline for this watercolour was August for a special birthday gift.

There was a lot of detail in this portrait with the fussy fur and white showing through. I managed to get it painted on time. When the portrait has a small size it reduces the eye size I can work on, it's very tricky to add detail. 

Size 15cm by 19cm

Eye size 1cm 

As you can see from this workspace the watercolour is in progress, the paper size is 25cm by 30cm with the portrait within this paper size.

Watercolour 

Photo

Cat watercolour portrait now in progress, July 2022

The cat photograph was not very sharp, I almost did not attempt it. Hopefully, ly it will turn out with enough detail. 

As you can see the photograph is grainy and not detailed enough for me to see each hair and shine in the eyes, also reducing the real fur colour. 

Photograph 

Watercolour 

Video painting in watercolour 

Guinness in stages.

Horse portrait painted in watercolour in progress. Shading is now in place to add more detail.

Progress on a watercolour commission 

Candy- Cairn terrier.

12th April

Candy is now completed in watercolour. 

6th April

March 31st 2022

This is the start of Candy painted in watercolour, Candy was 9 weeks old when brought from a pup by Mr & Mrs Minshull from southWaless, Candy was chosen by Mrs Minshull.

24th March 2022

Start of the eye. 

Photograph 

The Cairn Terrier is a terrier breed originating in the Scottish Highland, isle othe f sky anis d recognized as one of Scotland's earliest working dogs. The breed was given the name Cairn because the breed's function was to hunt and chase quarry between the cairns in the Scottish highlands.

Husky dog.

20th March 2022

 

Photograph 

Husky is a general term for a dog used in the polar regions, primarily and specifically for work sledge dogs. It refers to a traditional northern type, notable for its cold-weather tolerance and overall hardiness. Though dogs such as the AKC/CKC-registered Alaskan malamute may not contain "Husky" in their official name, the term still encompasses dogs of their type. Modern racing huskies that maintain arctic breed traits (also known as Alaskan huskies) represent an ever-changing crossbreed of the fastest dogs.

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14th March 2022

Today I have mainly been painting the shades in the fur on the neck.

Photo

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March 8th 2022

ArtOnBoard.co.uk

Photograph 

When I start to paint a portrait I send my progress to the customer, so far the customer has seen the progress and her reply was

He is stunning! The detail you have put into his eyes and nose is amazing - he's even better than I envisioned! I'm looking forward to seeing more of him!

The start of the watercolour nose.

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DORMOUSE painted in watercolour on vellum

Jan 28th 2022

I am very close to finishing the Dormouse now. 1st Feb 2022

Finished the watercolour now.

Feb 2nd 2022

Dormouse is one of my favourite wildlife projects to paint, I am painting it on Vellum, Vellum is prepared animal skin. This wonderful vallum is great to paint on, it is expensive to buy and this vallum sheet I am working on cost 30.00 before I even paint on it.

I will keep you posted on my progress.

Jan 26th 2022 

 January 2022. Watercolour paintings in progress. SAFFIE (now deceased) 

Photograph 

 

January commission for 50th birthday present.

The customer has asked me to add a tennis ball and a rose, I have yet to paint these with the head watercolour.

I do have yet to darken the colourer, my main aim at the moment is to get every detail I need to form the structure of Saffie.

Beginning to darken the colour. 

January 2022

Today I have painted around Saffy's mouth and under her chin and some of the ear.

                    Watercolour

After nearly finishing painting the head portrait, the customer wants a tennis ball and a rose along with Saffie's name in pencil adding.

When the portrait is framed it will all look central.

Saffie has now died so this is a present for the owners loved one, the tennis ball and rose are personal to the owner and Saffie.