A Golden Retriver Painting for the Delaware Humane Society in Wilmington

Two things I love to do:  Help pet rescues and paint!  I painted this one in acylics on a 16 x 20 canvas and call it "Making the Rounds".  He reminds me of Otto checking the perimeter of his yard in the mornings..and he always stops and smells the roses...or daisies!

He's the only piece of art that will be raffled off to benefit the Delaware Humane Society Bark Louder Happy Hour this week.

I receive a lot of requests to donate art from rescues all over the country and usually will send a handpulled print for their auction/raffle but when I got this request, being close to home and I was in slow period, I felt like, what the heck?  Paint does no good for anyone sitting in a tube!

I'd be happy to REALLY help rescues make some cash...by donating a decent percentage of portrait commissions they obtain or by listing an original on ebay for auction for them.

Anyway, about this painting, the photo that was my reference was from a copyright free offering and it just struck my fancy.  I really enjoyed exploring in paint the myriad of colors in a golden's fur.  Now, I've "painted" tons of goldens in colored pencil, so I know it, but mixing paint rather than choosing a premixed pigment is a different...animal!  Some U-turns! 

A new thing for me with this one was using Golden Open Acrylics.  I don't like them "straight" ...too long to dry ... but I bought a few to mix in with other fast dry acrylics and it's the best of both worlds.  The only reason I am not painting in oils is the drying time, I like to paint and get it out the door.  Can't wait 6 months to varnish.  So I think acylics must suit my impatient personality!  The big drawback with acrylics is when I forget a brush.  You know how it is if you're an artist...you kind of zone out while working...and if I don't zone back in, I can forget a brush I used and there's not hope once acrylics dry on it!

I am LOVING my new studio space in my home.  It's got better light, is larger, and has more of a view for Otto, my studio dog...I mean...supervisor!! :D  More organized with separate stations...a painting station, a drawing station, a printing station, etc.  Don't have to move things around to do different kinds of art!

I'm artist Robin Zebley, best known for my pet portraits.  Also offering portraits of children and prints, paintings and drawings of all kinds of animals.  To see what's new and where it's for sale, come visit my facebook fan page: http://facebook.com/artistrobinzebley.  Thanks for visiting my blog!  Robin

Capturing Personality - Golden Retriever Portrait

I was chatting with a prospective client today and one of the things I mentioned was that I NEED to know something about their dog when I am drawing or painting him/her. That's because while photos can capture color, fur patterns, etc., personality usually doesn't come through.

I've done a LOT of goldens, so many, that I only have a few samples on my site, otherwise it would be almost all goldens!

Some are ladylike and polite. Friendly and goofy. Friendly and curious. Shy and quiet. Mischievous. Relaxed. Observant and reactive.

This guy is more the confident, leader of the pack kind of guy. And he is lucky enough to have other dogs in the house with him!

When I know their personality, somehow, it translates onto the paper or canvas. I will study their faces and look for those clues. I honestly feel like I know them when I'm finished drawing or painting them!

I've met some of my subjects, and it's funny, but they are always affectionate to me, it's like they know that I know all about them! Crazy huh? But not if you love dogs, they have an uncanny sense of humans. It's funny to me to see distinctive little whorls of hair that I captured on paper or canvas in real life, along with those eyes, each one is unique and SO expressive!

I love doing commissions, but I hate to see them go to their new homes. I feel like I'm losing a friend who has been looking at me and communicating with me while I draw or paint them!


My pet portrait website is: http://robinzebley.com and if you've found this particular post and want to see my whole blog, just click on the banner at the top of the page. Interested in my next post? Just click "followers" at the right. Thanks for sharing a few minutes of your day with me. I'd love to hear your comments about dogs and how they communicate..

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!