Three Border Collies Commissioned Portrait

I've been busy this week working on a big commissioned piece that had to wait for my classes to end.

This is the first "three dog portrait" that I've painted.  Considering this was all done from photos sent to me by e-mail by the client, I think it turned out pretty well!  I usually like to take my own photos and meet the dog to get a take on their energy and personality.

First dog in the portrait is Raine, a smaller darker Border Collie.  I tried to boost the colors in each dog to bring the artwork alive.

Playing up the warm/cool, dark/light, intense/dull contrasts as well as paying attention to soft and hard edges and textures of the eyes, nose and fur are all considered when painting.


The next dog....largest and the alpha is Isabella.....

The sun was bleaching out her color...I helped it out a bit and brought her right side a bit out of the dark.

Then Lily.....

She looks warmer here than in the original..I really liked her eyes and expression.  I turned her around a bit so she was more upright.

The finale'..............

Raine, Isabella and Lily, pastel on Art Spectrum Colourfix in Blue Haze mounted on Gatorboard, cut to 16"x26". ©Kim Werfel

Hope you enjoyed my journey!

For info on your own pastel portrait and upcoming classes & workshops see my website at http://www.kimwerfel.com 

Class Pictures and Seymour Center Class Registration Now Open!

I had such a great time teaching at Carol Woods in Chapel Hill.  We all posed for a group portrait (although a couple were missing)  Thought I'd share them with you.

This is my Tuesday group class (missing Pat)  None had pastel experience....most had little or no art experience.  I tried to teach the elements of design, color theory and values along with just getting used to using both Canson and Sanded paper in 5 classes.  Whew.  But they were wonderful!

Thursday's class (without Margie) were terrific too.  They're all holding their best piece for a small art exhibit from the class to be displayed for a month.  Tuesday's class goes first in August, then Thursday's class in September.

They asked me to teach there again in the Spring 2015 and I couldn't resist.  I look forward to seeing them all again.

Hopefully I'll see some in my new class starting in September at the Seymour Center in Chapel Hill.

This Pastel Class will have students of varying ability and will run Mondays from September 8 - October 6th, from 1 - 3 pm.

Beginners will work doing projects from photos with me while more advanced students will work on independent projects with my guidance.  Located at 2551 Homestead Rd., Chapel Hill, NC  27516. 

Registration is now OPEN!.  Call (919) 968-2070 for more info.  Also click on http://www.co.orange.nc.us/aging/Programs.asp

Hope to see you soon,

Kim Werfel

www.kimwerfel.com

 

Upcoming Pastel Classes

Next week I'll be finishing two beginning Pastel Painting Classes at Carol Woods in Chapel Hill, NC. The students have been great.....I'll miss them!  

We'll be selecting their best pieces for two consecutive art exhibits....Tuesday's class's Art Exhibit will be first running from August 9th - September 5th, followed by Thursday's class for the next four weeks.

In September I'll start a new venue....the Seymour Senior Center in Chapel Hill, NC.  This Pastel Class will have students of varying ability and will run Mondays from September 8 - October 6th, from 1 - 3 pm.

Beginners will work doing projects from photos with me while more advanced students will work on independent projects with my guidance.  Located at 2551 Homestead Rd., Chapel Hill, NC  27516. 

Registration begins around August 15th.  Call (919) 968-2070 for more info.  Also click on http://www.co.orange.nc.us/aging/Programs.asp 

 I will also be teaching again at the ArtsCenter in Carrboro, NC, for five Thursdays from October 9th -November 6th, from 10 am - 12:30pm.  They are located at 300-G East Main Street, Carrboro, NC  27510.

This will be a Continuing Pastel Painting Studio course for the intermediate to advanced pastel student. 

(not a beginner class) Elements and principles of design are kept in mind as students learn to apply compositional rules to their work.  Class critiques and working outside of class help students grow faster.

Call (919)929-2787, or register on their Website http://www.artscenterlive.org/classes/1036-continuing-pastel-painting/

Don't have time for a 5 week commitment?  Well, I'll be teaching a one day workshop at Central Carolina Community College in Chatham County, Pittsboro Campus Bldg 042 MPR on Saturday, September 20th, 2014 from 10 am - 4:30 pm.  Look for Pastel Workshop (Beginning) Course #3716

We'll explore soft pastels in this workshop for new or seasoned students.  A review of materials will follow a step by step class demo to help you create your own pastel painting.  Some knowledge of drawing and painting is helpful.  Ask for a supply list when you register.

Register here:  http://www.cccc.edu/ecd 

Ask you can see, I have a lot going on.....!

Hope you can join me in one, some or all of my workshops :)  

Thank you for following my blog.

Happy Painting!

Kim Werfel

www.kimwerfel.com