I want to share my recent art commissions with you. The portraits feature Mindy, a lovely Calico shorthair with one eye. A loving husband commissioned them as a special gift for his wife on their golden wedding anniversary, which is today. I am hoping that Maureen will cherish them. " I commissioned Karen to paint two acrylic portraits of our one-eyed rescue cat, Mindy, based upon photos that I had taken. These were a surprise Golden Wedding Anniversary present for my wife & we were both absolutely delighted with the final results; my wife described them as being absolutely stunning & was amazed by their detail & accurate colours, with every hair & whisker clearly visible. Karen kept me fully informed as the paintings progressed, via emails & a specially designed website, so that I could be part of each step of the process. She also compiled a video to help me select suitable frames, which perfectly complemented the colours of the completed paintings. I thoroughly recommend Karen to anyone wanting a very special piece of artwork; she is incredibly talented. " Michael I Harrison UK I spent about seven weeks creating these paintings using GOLDEN heavy body acrylics on Ampersand Gessobord. I am very detail-oriented and used a sword liner to apply every strand of fur, from short hairs to long whiskers. I worked on both paintings intermittently in between other tasks. The painting is 12" x 12" in size and was framed in the beautiful Windermere Bronze moulding. An acrylic painting is not framed behind glass, but a couple of protective layers were applied, to preserve it for many years to come. This is the final painting of the second portrait of Mindy, which measures 12" x 16" and is painted with acrylic. Mindy's owner, Michael, provided me with numerous high-quality digital photos of Mindy. These photos were used as a reference for creating the portrait, ensuring that every detail and colour was accurately represented. If you are interested in commissioning your own bespoke portrait, you can find out more on our COMMISSIONS page. The completed paintings were carefully wrapped and packed with two certificates of authenticity and a sheet on how to care for acrylic paintings. I'm sure these paintings will be appreciated for many years to come.
Happy anniversary to Michael and Maureen
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The weather in Newbiggin by the Sea has been delightful. My partner, John Graham, and I have seized the opportunity to go cycling along the coast, basking in the warm, sunny days. The freedom to explore the Northumberland coastline once more, after seven weeks of Covid-19 lockdown restrictions, has been exhilarating. Below are some photographs from our cycling adventures and a glimpse of my latest artwork. Furthermore, John has been fortunate to observe a bird at Newbiggin by the Sea that has not been previously documented in this area. Continue reading to discover which bird it was. Newbiggin in the sunLast week, John and I went for a bike ride along the coast. We took a break at Beacon's Point, a popular spot for birdwatchers known to have rare birds occasionally. We enjoyed the warm weather and took some time to relax on the cliff edge before moving on towards Lynemouth power station, hoping to spot some Flycatchers and Whinchats. We followed a path alongside the golf course covered in gorse bushes, providing an ideal bird nesting place. A year ago at this location, John photographed a Red-spotted Bluethroat, a rare bird that drew photographers from far and wide. Sadly, not everyone had the opportunity to witness it, myself included. Information about the most recent rare bird sighting in Newbiggin can be found further down this article. 'On the Easel' - Kingfisher in AcrylicsRecently, I've spent some tranquil evenings in the studio, focusing on finishing several paintings that have been gathering dust on the shelf. I've resumed work, particularly on a Kingfisher painting whose simple composition enhances its impact. The bird's vibrant presence dominates the otherwise muted backdrop, rendering additional details superfluous. For the wooden post, I employed a combination of paint and texture gel, while strategically placed raindrops at the conclusion serve to highlight the bird exquisitely. Last year, John captured the reference image for his painting. Surrounding him were open fields and patches of woodland, teeming with wildlife. One morning, a Kingfisher perched briefly on a wooden post, giving John just enough time to take several photos before it took flight again. This 9" x 12" acrylic painting is available for sale, with options for both framed and unframed versions. Displayed above are some framed examples of the painting. For information on purchasing this artwork, please contact me. 'On the Easel' - Bullfinch & Apple Blossom acrylic paintingThis painting was created by merging two reference images: one of a Bullfinch and the other featuring apple blossoms. Close to home, there's a cycle path adorned with apple blossom trees, a common habitat for Bullfinches. Capturing a photo of both the bird and blossoms together proved elusive, so I utilised an image of a Bullfinch captured by John. The artwork measures 8" x 8", crafted with acrylics, and is available for purchase either framed or unframed. For those interested in acquiring this piece, please feel free to reach out for further information. What a find!One morning, John was lucky to spot a beautiful European Bee-Eater flying over a nearby lake. Despite being far away, the Bee-Eater was easily recognisable due to its long beak and bright colours. While there have been reports of Bee-Eaters in other parts of the country, this was the first sighting of one in Newbiggin by the sea.
Latest Articles at my Step by Step Art websiteFor those unaware, I run a specialised website for artists featuring free articles on various mediums and art supplies. I've recently finished eight new articles for my Step by Step Art website, accessible by clicking on any of the image links provided below. The topics include coloured pencils, acrylic paints, graphite pencils, pastels, art accessories, papers, mini tutorials, and guest contributions from other artists like Welsh oil painter Chris Chalk. In his piece, he shares insights on the three essential products needed to begin working with oil paints. Each article will open in a new tab on the Step by Step Art website.
You are welcome to share this article, as well as other articles and workshops from the Step by Step Art website, by clicking on the available 'social' buttons.
In 2017, I began receiving Christmas orders as early as September, which kept me occupied for the entire season. Starting in mid-October, I dedicated 10-12 hours daily to work, organizing a daily schedule to guarantee the timely completion of all portraits. With some orders coming from overseas, it was crucial to secure any needed frames well ahead of time, considering the high demand framers face during the holidays. My aim was to complete all orders a week before my trip to Chesterfield, yet I found myself working late into the night preceding my departure. Everything proceeded without a hitch, and the individual who commissioned the piece met me at the Chesterfield train station to pick up the portrait of Star the Chow Chow. The painting travelled with me for six hours via various modes of transport, safely tucked inside my suitcase. The lady who requested the painting presented me with a beautiful bouquet of flowers. It was heartwarming to read the recipients' joyful remarks on Christmas Day upon receiving the portrait of their cherished pet. You can view the progress of Star's portrait on this page. I've completed all the Christmas commissions and took a well-deserved break to recharge. Now, I'm back in the studio, creating new articles for my Step by Step Art website. There are numerous tasks to accomplish behind the scenes. If you're interested in booking a personalised commission or are an artist searching for helpful articles, and mini-tutorials, click on the links below to visit my website.
Here's hoping 2018 is a wonderful year for you! Karen The latest articles available at www.stepbystepart.co.ukI have some great news: I've created an art-focused website catering to beginners and experienced artists. You can visit www.stepbystepart.co.uk to read the latest articles and explore my art workshops and tutoring. Recently, I uploaded four new articles that might interest you - especially if you enjoy working with coloured pencils. However, if you prefer graphite or watercolours, there's something for you too! You can learn about tonal paper and how it can enhance your work, try the tonal layering exercise with your pencils, and even explore the benefits of HP watercolour papers. These resources will be helpful in your artistic pursuits. New articles coming soon to Step by Step ArtUnfortunately, I could not send out the Winter Newsletter due to being occupied with commission work in December. However, I am thrilled to announce that I will release four new articles at the start of May. These articles will provide valuable insights on soft pastels, specifically Unison pastels, and a step-by-step guide for those new to pastel art on creating a tonal sky. Additionally, there will be two "Starting Out" articles. The first, written by Welsh Artist Chris Chalk, will focus on the three essential items necessary to begin your oil painting journey. The second, written by myself, will offer guidance on starting with coloured pencils. If you want to receive the Step by Step Art newsletter, you can find more information about it here. Keep yourself informed by subscribing today to get the latest updates. If someone might enjoy reading this article, please share it on X/Twitter. If you have any questions about any part of this post or would like to leave a comment, please get in touch, and I will respond as soon as possible.
Karen M Berisford This Christmas, I was inundated with commissions. I had to complete five within six weeks, presenting a significant challenge. Typically, a single portrait takes three to five weeks, so this period was exceptionally hectic. Nevertheless, all commissions were finished and dispatched to customers well within the deadline. Below, I have provided the details of each commission, the final portraits, and the accompanying customer testimonials. Discover three bespoke commissions: two vibrant Springer Spaniels in acrylics and a heartwarming triple portrait featuring a couple and their adorable French Bulldog, meticulously rendered in colored pencils. Buddy the Springer Spaniel - 11" x 14"Buddy's portrait was crafted by merging five different photographs: the body from one photo, the head from another, the tail from a third, the background from a fourth, and some background flowers from a fifth. These were all cut and pasted together to form the reference image mock-up. This process can introduce numerous challenges, as each image may have varying lighting conditions. Fortunately, I managed to achieve the right balance by utilizing the high-quality photos provided, which offered ample detail to work with. As one might expect, the grass required the most time since each blade was individually applied in three layers, effectively repeating the process three times. "I'm sitting looking at Buddy in pride of place on the wall, photo attached! It is absolutely lovely and it had the desired effect on Steve when he unwrapped - there were tears!! Everyone that has seen it has said how amazing it is with the amount of fine detail and so Buddy. If I manage to get a decent photo of Buddy next to it I will send it on! Thank you once again, it is lovely to have a painting of Buddy forever."
"Just wanted to let you know that mum loves her portrait and we all cried our eyes out when we first saw it. What you've done is so special and we couldn't have asked for a better painting to remember him by. It captures his brilliant personality so well. I'll definitely be recommending you to my spaniel loving friends!
"Hi Karen , Hope you had a lovely Christmas. Wanted to drop you a note to say that Max absolutely loved the portrait! She couldn't believe how well you'd captured the detail from the photo and was thrilled to pieces! We've already recommended you to friends and family and am sure we'll use your amazing skills again in the the future. Have a great New Year!! Diarmid" This Christmas season has been exceptionally hectic with commissions, and I fear I may have taken on more than I could handle. Today, I completed the final commission of the year, feeling rather tired after many early mornings and late nights spent crafting beautiful dog portraits for their loving owners. This Christmas commission is one I can share since it was presented early, allowing Kita's owner to select the frame for her beloved dogs' memorial portrait. With years of experience in pet portraiture, I was able to incorporate more into the painting than the photograph revealed. Given that Kita's owners had limited photos of him, and considering the exquisite detail that acrylic portraits can achieve, each hair was meticulously painted with a very fine brush to achieve the desired level of detail. The customer had only a handful of photographs of Kita, having recently lost him, and I was restricted to using photographs taken with flash. Although the reference image captured a good pose, the flash altered his colour and limited important details, so I conducted online research on the breed and applied some artistic interpretation. Although the image was slightly out of focus, I discovered that by intensively working on the fur, I found that I could enhance the details by meticulously refining the fur, resulting in a final portrait that was more lifelike than I had anticipated. The completed painting was set in a black frame called Brockwell. The progress of Kita's portrait can be viewed here. After finishing the portrait, I applied two layers of satin varnish, framed it with 'Brockwell' moulding, packaged it, and dispatched it to its new home. Upon its arrival, Kita's owner sent me the following message: "I just wanted you to know that I absolutely love my painting of Kita. You have done the most amazing portrait of him, he was my best friend and my little boy. I love him so much and the painting of him has been put up in the living room so we can all admire him everyday!!! Receiving such feedback is always special, and I eagerly wait to hear how my other portraits have been received this Christmas. I would like to take this opportunity to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! How to book your own bespoke portrait: For those interested in commissioning a custom portrait of your pet, a loved one, or any other subject, information on the commission process is available here. Feel free to explore my Pet Portraits page or Art Gallery to see more examples of my work. In addition to acrylics, I also create pieces using coloured pencils and oil pastels. I recently completed this stunning portrait of Willow the Springer Spaniel, as a surprise gift from a husband to his wife for their first wedding anniversary. The reference photo was excellently composed, which made the painting process even more enjoyable. My acrylic paintings are designed to exude vibrancy and, where possible, texture. For the tennis ball at the forefront of the painting, I incorporated a moulding paste into the paints to replicate the ball's fluffy texture. Similarly, I used the moulding paste to add texture to Willow's fur, creating an intriguing effect when the painting is viewed from various angles. The image above represents the preliminary phase of the artwork, where I establish the foundational colour tones. At this juncture, the appearance may seem quite chaotic, which can be somewhat disconcerting, particularly for the customer, but it does improve as the image below shows. Observe how the details have been further refined and the contrasts are now also being established. The Ampersand Gessobord's smooth surface is ideal for the fine detail I prefer in my acrylic portraits. This portrait was created on a 22mm Gessobord, designed for frameless displaying. The edges have also been painted edges so it can be displayed without a frame. It has been preserved with multiple coats of Satin Varnish and enhanced with two wall protector feet on the reverse side's lower corners for extra protection. The beauty of these 22mm board portraits is the flexibility they offer; you can decide to frame them later for a classic look or leave them unframed for a modern aesthetic. Crafting this portrait was a joy, and learning that Willow's owner was delighted with her unexpected gift made it even more rewarding. Karen, I was the lucky one to receive this beautiful painting. I can't tell you what a lovely gift it is, thank you so much for capturing Willow's character so well. I absolutely love it, it's beautiful and one to be treasured for many years to come. Are you looking to commission a custom-made portrait?For those interested in commissioning a custom-made portrait of their pet or another subject, further details are available on the commissions page. Additionally, you are invited to view my collection of pet portraits and the art gallery featuring a variety of subjects. Available mediums for portraits include acrylics, coloured pencils, and oil pastels.
OBIEPortrait size: 11" x 14" |
AuthorKaren M Berisford Choose tags below to search the news blog directory, or quickly find each blog through the News Blog Archives page.
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