Goldendoodle portrait painting

Goldendoodle Portrait Painting

A goldendoodle is one of the dogs in our family "pack".  My son's dog, Bailey is a Goldendoodle and she spends a lot of time here as my son travels a bit for work. Plus we just love her to death.  She's a fun contrast to Sarge, especially in the back yard, where she is always on alert for critters invading our space.  

Sarge the boxer, as you might know, loves all the creatures he shares the space with.  He looks at bunnies and almost smiles.  Bailey, on the other hand, seems to think she's protecting those she loves from those dastardly rabbits!

My husband often takes them to a wooded area near our home where deer also gather.  Bailey, who is normally a placid, obedient soul, turns into a wild thing when she sees the deer, she gives chase and there is no calling her back!

We love how Bailey is so friendly with children and every human being.  She doesn't get offended that Sarge sleeps on our bed and she sleeps on HER bed at the foot of it.  She's just a great dog to share time with.

So when I got a commission to paint this cute pair of Goldendoodles, I knew already that I'd be painting friendly faces from fabulous canine personalities.  And enjoyed every minute of it!

I'm portrait painter, Robin Zebley. My site is robinzebley.com.  Please feel free to contact me! Robin

Golden Retriever Rescue - the Story of Nolan

When I started out doing portraits, I needed some samples for my website and stumbled upon a fabulous photo of an older dog looking for a forever home in northern Texas. I wrote to the rescue for permission to draw him in colored pencil.

And here's what I drew. I loved Nolan for his smiling, cheerful face, despite the situation he found himself in.

From this portrait of Nolan, I have been honored to be commissioned to draw and paint a LOT of Golden Retrievers!!

Nolan was blessed, though...he DID find a forever home and lived his life happily with folks who loved him. He's since passed over the rainbow bridge, but he lives through art. Forever.

By the way, the rescue is in desperate straits to raise some money for rescue...here's their link. If you can find a way to donate a few dollars, I know it will go to great use! Here's their link: http://goldenretrievers.org/

Otto and his dad and I are going on vacation. I'll be bringing along my paints and woodcut tools and hope to have some artwork to show you when I get back! Meanwhile, if you'd like to see a selection of other golden retriever portraits, check out my pet portrait website: http://robinzebley.com . If you have a golden, or any other breed and you'd like a portrait of your special pal, email me and we can get started as soon as I get home!

Tips for Taking Photos of Your Pet for a Portrait

Beautiful day in Philadelphia! And John and I are celebrating our 36th wedding anniversary. I'm a lucky girl. I was thinking about a post of Q and A for portraits, being that I've answered a lot of questions from so many wonderful animal lovers, who have commissioned me. But the number 1 "Q" is "How do I get a decent photo of my dog?" (Cats seem to make better models!)

Here's a few of my hints:

1. Take a LOT of photos. Many dogs change their spots when the camera comes out. Otto gets VERY VERY serious. Some look sad, or frightened or disturbed. So you probably won't get to take a shot or 2 and have it turn out. Others are so curious, they just come up and sniff the camera, especially if you are doing #2 on my list.

2. Get down on or near their face level. It's easier if they're on a couch or a bed.

3. Don't use flash. Get outside in the early morning for a nice soft light that will cast interesting shadows on their features and show their colors true. Or snap them near a window.

4. Don't worry about getting everything you want in one shot. If you like a pose, but his eyes are shut, that's okay. I take what I need from a variety of photos. Face from this one, pose from this one, tail from this one, coloring from this one.

5. Don't worry about what's in the background, I promise I won't include the trashcan or hubby's sneakers!

6. Some ideas: Put them in the car. They will be distracted hanging out the window looking at everything outdoors, and have a natural, interested look. This is a great spot to take a bunch of facial shots. Get a buddy to talk and play with them while you shoot the photos. Put them in a chair. On a bench. In the back of the truck. Take a shot of them asleep. Or just as they are waking up.

7. Again, take a LOT of shots. It's my job to put them all together!

Do you have some great tips for photographing dogs? Share them with us! If you haven't stopped by my portrait website, please do. It's http://robinzebley.com

The Beginning:

That's my dad and me. He and my wonderful, late mom loved me and encouraged me, pushed me and enjoyed me. And by example taught me how to be a wife and how to be a mom and how to just...be interested in the world.

I'm not all quite sure why I'm doing this blog, except that I talk about my life and art a lot both in real life and on the net, and think this will be an interesting way to share my art with you, but to push me creatively as well. Plus, my friends have been encouraging me, they say it's so much fun, so let's give it a go!

I do have fun stories to share, thoughts about "second bloom" artists like myself, will do some demonstrations and even have some art for sale. If art and animals and creativity in later in life interests you, I'd love you join the conversation!