Small Victory
Medium: Pastel
Image Size: 11 " x 14"
Giclee prints also available
There is a wonderful song by Garnet
Rogers called "Small Victory", about the rescue of an old mare,
a racer past her prime, and her happy ending. The song so moved me that
I did this portrait of her last "Small Victory".
This is typical of the style of pet portrait which I am most often asked to
do for commissions. Working in layers, I create these pieces with sharpened
pastels and pastel pencils to create a full range of values from darkest darks
to lightest lights, resulting in an image of near-photographic realism.
For pastel commissions, I require at least four photos of the animal, since
usually, one doesn't have enough detail for me to create an accurate portrait.
In many cases, if the animal is available, I will take the photos I need myself,
since that way, I can be sure of getting all the visual information required. If
the pet has "gone to the Rainbow Bridge", I sometimes have to improvise
with reference books, consulting with the animal's owner to make sure we get
it right.
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