The Little Owl- Mixed Media and Photography

 Little Owl photographed on local moor, May 2015
© Gayle Mason Fine Art

Little Owl - Mixed Media on Paper

I am lucky enough to live within a couple of miles of several Little Owls and have spent many hours watching and photographing them.
I had already started the painting above or I would probably have used the photograph above. That particular owl was cross at being disturbed when I came upon it unexpectedly. It certainly wasn't frightened as I walked past with two of the dogs simply turned his head to make sure I was moving on. I particularly like the ruffled feather as I think it gives the owl character.

The painting has an acrylic background and the owl is coloured pencil. I'm using Arches hot pressed watercolour paper and the finished size will be approximately 12 x 18 inches.

The Old Red Deer Stag - Mixed Media on Black Paper

''The Last Call'

Red Deer Stag, mixed media on black pastlemat.

Each year we spend a couple of days over the New Year period in Scotland and weather permitting on New Years Day itself we pay a visit to the Highland Wildlife Park at Kingussie.
I always take hundreds of photographs and when looking through them for inspiration this image jumped out at me. Judging by the amount of grey and white he had on his head I would imagine he is quite elderly but he was still watching over the hinds.

Resurrecting 'Fur in the Paint'

'Red Deer Stag'

Mixed Media on Paper

Original and prints available

So after ignoring my blog other than the occasional post for the best part of two years I've decided to resurrect it and post on a more regular basis.

Why did I ignore it and why have I decided to revive it? 

I haven't posted on my blog because I found it easier to keep in touch with people using other forms of social media such as Facebook and Twitter. It takes hardly any time to post an image on facebook with a few words to go with it. But while Facebook is excellent for keeping in touch and seeing what other artists are doing it has drawbacks.

So my decision to make an effort with my blog has come about as a result of two things. Firstly not everyone uses social media websites for a variety of reasons and a couple of people have mentioned that they miss my blog. Secondly I get many emails asking me how I do various things so it would save me time being able to post a mini tutorial instead of sending emails to different people and Facebook isn't designed for that.

'Hare in Reeds'

Original and Prints available

Since I last posted I've started a couple of what will eventually become series of artwork. Both series are a departure from my highly detailed work and I started them for when my time is limited and I need to produce something in days rather than weeks.

The first of these series I've called 'Country Characters' and each one will focus more on the character of the animal or bird than on anatomical correctness and detail.

First up 'Wilbur'

'Wilbur Wren'

Mixed media on Paper

For my second series I've returned to something I started several years ago, white on black with a touch of colour.

My first one is a hare because I've spent a lot of time recently watching them and they have such beautiful eyes.

'Watchful Hare'

White pencil and watercolour on black paper

Click here if interested in purchasing the original (eBay)

So that's a short catch up and I'll be back in a couple of days to share what's on my drawing board.

Rough Pup - Graphite Drawing of a Rough Collie Pup

'Rough Pup' Graphite on Arches Hot Pressed Watercolour Paper

Approximately 14 x 10 inches

Very belated wishes that you all have a great 2015.

The drawing above is the first one completed this year and is of 'Xena' the youngest member of my rough collie family. I chose to draw her in a very uncharacteristic pose, mainly because I thought I might never see her sitting still again :) The image below is much more characteristic of Xena although after all the rain she is slightly more muddy looking.

I do intend to draw her again when time permits and this time it will be a Xena in action pose.

I haven't made any plans for 2015 mainly because I don't tend to revist the list once February arrives. Instead I'm keeping a weekly to do list which includes regular updates of my blog and website and some painting/drawing time.  

I am planning to overhaul my website in the very near future as I think it needs completely re- designing to make it more suitable for the latest technology.

Association of Animal Artists Spring 2015 Exhibition

I'm a member of the Association of Animal Artists and was absolutely delighted when one of my images was chosen to feature on the poster for the Spring 2015 exhibition.

The exhibition which is to be held at Martin Mere WWT will feature british wildlife and will run from 2nd February 2015 until 29th March 2015.

The Association was founded in 2009 and membership is by application. If you are interested in painting animals it is well worth applying as I have found it to be a friendly and dynamic society. There are at least three exhibitions planned for 2015 as well as various other 'meet ups' 

The artwork produced is always varied but of a consistently high standard, if you look at the list of artist members you can see why, many of the names will be familiar to anyone who likes animal art.

This is the link to the home page : Association of Animal Artists

Martin Mere is in Lancashire, 10 miles from Southport and well worth a visit at  if you are interested in birds.

This is the link to the home page : Martin Mere Wildfowl and Wetland Trust

Finally a close up from my painting:-

Grouse Study in Mixed Media

Red Grouse Study

Mixed Media on Paper, 14 x 18 inches

Original Available, email me if interested.

I am lucky to have several areas of moorland close to home that sustain breeding populations of red grouse so that over the course of several years I have taken hundreds of reference photographs in all seasons.

I couldn't make my mind up if I wanted to do a painting or drawing so decided to go for the best of both worlds and combine the two. The main image is acrylic fading into graphite and the two small ones are graphite.

Detail from the above study.

My original idea included either one or two flying grouse but sadly I was always too slow with my camera and captured mostly tips of wings, trailing legs or no grouse at all, so a flying grouse will have to wait for another time.

As I have so many good photographs to work from I will be doing another drawing in the future, perhaps a less serious image like one taken from my reference photograph below.

Catch Up - Again

Glenspey Heavenly Star - 'Roxie'

23/09/2006 - 31/10/2014

We had to say goodbye to Roxie or as she was known to the family 'little foxley' last week. It was totally unexpected and we are still in shock.

On a happier note Xena is now eight months old and although she is the naughtiest puppy we've ever owned she is a complete delight to live with.   

                                                                                    

I've not completed many pictures over the summer but I did add to my series of big cats drawn in graphite, the latest one is an amur tiger.

   'Best Foot Forward'

Graphite on Paper, approximately 17.5 x 11inches

Original available from the Llewellyn Alexander Gallery, London

More to follow:-

My Studio- Also known as the spare room.

Earlier this year my eldest son moved into his own home and while I miss him a great deal I immediately claimed his bedroom and gave it a make over changing it into my art room. Although it is only a small room after years of working in a corner of my lounge it's lovely to be able to leave my art materials spread out. I thought it might be nice to give a little tour.

This is the view looking into the room from the door. My drafting table is on the right next to a large storage unit which holds most of my art supplies. To the left is my small pencil storage rack. I was lucky enough to aquire a complete set of storage for pencils when my local art store was changing brands. Until recently these have been stored in the attic so it was lovely to be able to have them somewhere I can actually see and use them.

Moving round to the left you can see my small pencil storage which holds mainly prismacolour pencils, and the edge of my easel. The picture on the wall is a pastel drawing of Clinton when he was a puppy, sadly he died in January at almost 12 tears old so you can tell how long ago I drew the portrait. The photograph is another of my dogs, Chelsey, who sadly died far too young of suspected liver problems.

I'm not using my easel at the moment because I usually work on my drafting table when I'm using graphite pencils but I have plenty of space to move it around when I'm painting.

In the corner I have a full set of storage units which once held Karisma pencils but now hold my Polychromos spares and some Prismacolours.

Over my easel I have a couple of shelves which hold various books and magazines, plus various soft toys that I'm keeping out of the reach of Xena the puppy.
The other side of the room has the storage unit next to the drafting table. I also usually have a collie or two lying about but they were more interested in watching what I was doing so they were behind the camera rather than in front of it this morning.
Having shown my work area I have to say that when the weather is nice I usually work at my smaller drafting table which I left in my lounge. This is situated next to the patio doors which open onto my decking so that it's easy to take a break outside, not that I do that very often of course :)

Catch Up

'Trial Run'

Graphite on Fabriano Artistico

It's been a long time since I updated my blog, in fact I struggled to log in having forgotten my password.
My family suffered a tragedy early in March which put art on hold for a few weeks.

Since my last post I've attended three exhibitions, all of which were reasonably successful. The Yorkshire Game Fair held at Newby Hall near Ripon was the muddiest show I've ever attended, the mud was knee deep and tractors were needed to move vehicles on and off the field. It was an experience I'd prefer not to repeat.
Last week I attended Patchings Art Festival, I always enjoy the social aspects of this show although sales were slow over the weekend.

We welcomed a new addition to the family a few weeks ago, meet Xena who is quite possibly the naughtiest puppy I've ever owned. Her hobbies include stripping wallpaper from the hallway, removing plants from the garden and carrying live bees about. We still don't know how she managed to carry a very large bee all the way across the garden without getting stung. However I can report that the bee flew away uninjured.

I've just submitted an article to Leisure Painter on drawing a peacock feather, it should be published in the August magazine out at the beginning of July.

I've started a series of graphite drawings of working dogs, The first one is 'Trial Run' drawn from one of my own reference photographs.

I do now intend to post much more regularly in the future.

Amur Leopard in Graphite

'Striding Out'

Graphite on Mellotex, 17.5 x 11.75 inches

I'm alive and well but have been really busy with real life happenings.

I have a new pencil practice article in this months Leisure Painter magazine (May 2014) on drawing weathered wood in coloured pencil.

'Weathered Stump' the subject of my latest pencil practice article

The next article will be in the July issue and will be techniques for drawing water.

I've marked plenty of assignments for the London Art College diploma course on drawing and painting pet portraits.

I'm in the middle of painting two large commissions of a lovely old Airedale called Joe. I had the pleasure of meeting Joe and his owners at Wetherby service station on a bitterly cold winter day so that I could take my own photographs and meet Joe in person.

Show season is fast approaching, my first show of the year will be the Harrogate Spring Flower Show which takes place at the end of this month.

I do intend to get back into a regular blogging routine as it helps me to focus on getting things completed.

Step-by-Step Guide to drawing a Brown Hare in Coloured Pencil

 

 An example of one of the diagrams included in the booklet.

My step-by-step guide to drawing a brown hare is now available, I have added a buy it now button on the sidebar and it will be available from my website.

The booklet consists of 16 A5 pages (approx 5.75 x 8.25 inches) printed on a heavy bright white printer paper.

The cost is £6.50 plus £1.50 post and packing.

For the colours used I have included a pencil comparison chart for Polychromos and Prismacolor pencils. I have not always found an exact colour match but have suggested a similar colour.
Anyone who purchases the guide can email me for help if they get stuck.

Please note that this guide duplicates the article that I wrote for Leisure Painter Magazine which was published in the November 2013 issue.

Review of 2013

Scotland New Years Day 2014

Wishing all my readers a Happy, Healthy and Peaceful 2014.

Looking back at 2013 I seem to have had a mixed year with some real highs but in other areas much less achieved than I intended.

The Highlights of 2013

'Big Red'

My finest achievement in 2013 was Big Red winning the Llewellyn Alexander Gallery prize for best in show at the 2013 Society of Feline Artists exhibition.

Objects drawn for Leisure Painter Magazine Articles

I started writing for Leisure Painter magazine and so far I've written the following articles:-

• Coloured Pencil Techniques
• Pencil Practice : Hare
• Pencil Practice : Metal
• Pencil Practice : Glass (to be published in the March issue)  

 I will be continuing to write for the magazine every other month throughout 2014

My final highlight of 2013 was taking over the role of tutor for the Pet Portrait Course run by the London Art College.

I exhibited at the following shows:-

Spring and Autumn Harrogate Flower shows
Yorkshire Game Fair
Society of Feline Artists annual exhibition
Supreme Cat Show

I plan to attend them again in 2014 with the exception of the Supreme Cat show and the Autumn Flower show ( I'll be in Canada when the flower show is held)

 'Ladnar Kingfisher - Phenix'

I completed several commissions including a stunning champion rough collie, 'Ladnar Kingfisher'

Not Achieved in 2013

I was much less active writing my blog than I planned. My aim for 2014 is to write at least one post a week.

I didn't enter as many competitions or juried exhibitions as I originally planned but I did keep to my decision of not entering work that I didn't consider good enough.

I didn't produce as much original work as I originally thought I would but writing for Leisure Painter and my tutor role did take quite a lot of my time.

My next post will be looking at what I aim to achieve in 2014.

The Supreme Cat Show - 23rd November 2013

Work in Progress - Jaguar in Graphite Pencil

I know it's been a long, long time since I updated my blog and I'm not promising that I'll write more frequently this year but I do have things to share in 2014.

I'm working on my next techniques in coloured pencil booklet which should be available before the year end. It will be 'How to draw a Brown Hare' in coloured pencil. However it is  basically the same tutorial that appeared in the November issue of Leisure Painter magazine so if you bought the magazine it's probably not worth buying the booklet as you will already have most of the material.

I will have a stand at The Supreme Cat show which is being held tomorrow at the NEC, Birmingham, UK. It will be my last show until next spring so if you're visiting or exhibiting please come and say hello.

Coloured Pencil Techniques in Leisure Painter Magazine

 The October issue of Leisure Painter magazine which is currently on sale includes my article on coloured pencil techniques. The article includes a little about the materials I use, a small demonstration on drawing fur and a section on troubleshooting. I'll be uploading a file of this first article in PDF format to my website soon.

The November issue of Leisure Painter which will shortly be on sale includes a step by step demonstration of how to draw the hare shown above. It also highlights the struggle I had to take the reference photograph.

I'll be writing regularly for Leisure Painter throughout 2014.

If you draw or paint animals the October issue also includes the first part of a tutorial on drawing an Elephant in pastel by Bob Elcock and painting a miniature in watercolour of a lowland gorilla by Tracy Hall. 


My other news is that I am now the tutor for the Pet Portrait Diploma course run by the London Art College.

'Big Red' is Selected for the Gallery Prize at the Llewellyn Alexander Gallery

'Big Red'

While on holiday in Canada I found out that my painting Big Red had been selected by the Llewellyn Alexander Gallery to receive their gallery prize for best in show. The painting is one of four I am currently exhibiting as part of The Society of Feline Artists annual exhibition in London.

Having recharged my batteries while on holiday I'm really looking forward to getting back to painting. I have hundreds of new reference photographs to choose from including both grizzly and black bear, elk, small mammals and many birds. I also took many photographs of trees, rocks, streams etc which will come in very useful.

I was lucky enough to see a humpback whale from the ferry when crossing back to Vancouver from Vancouver island, that was a very special couple of minutes.

I'll be exhibiting at Harrogate Autumn Flower Show later this week, probably still suffering from jet lag!

Early Summer Catch Up

'Merlin'

Coloured Pencil and Acrylic on black pastel paper.

I hadn't realised I'd been away from my blog for over a month but I have so here's a catch up of what I've been doing.

Patching was successful as I got commissioned to do some work. I don't want to share the details just yet but all will be revealed later in the year.

I don't accept many commissions so I'm now booked up for the rest of the year and have my first one booked for 2014. I'm looking forward to that one as it's a pencil drawing of a game bird.

I've been accepted as a member of the Association of Animal Artists (AAA) and hope to be exhibiting at their Animals in Art Exhibition. This exhibition will be held from 27th July to th 15th September 2013 at Haworth Art Gallery, Accrington, Lancashire, UK.

I've been on several reference gathering trips for both wild and captive animals including visiting Chester Zoo to photograph their delightful tiger cubs.

I've spent more time gardening than painting over the last few days making the most of the sunshine.

I'll try not to leave it so long next time :)

Patchings Festival Thursday 6th to Sunday 9th June 2013

Dipper on the River Wharf - Acrylic on Board

I've done the printing, wrapping and bagging there's just the car to load and then set off for Patchings Festival.

Today is set up day and for once the weather appears to be behaving, it's not sunny here in Yorkshire but it isn't raining or windy which is a vast improvement on past years.

The festival takes places at Calverton, Nottinghamshire, UK and runs from Thursday 6th June 2013 - Sunday 9th June 2013, 10.00 to 5.00 Thursday to Saturday, 10.00 to 4.30 Sunday.

Link : Patchings Festival

If you visit the festival come and say hello, it's always nice to meet old friends and make new ones.

I'm not sure what I'll be working on, probably the pastel fox or two raccoons in coloured pencil.

Hare Today Gone Tomorrow

'Watching'

Pastel on Velour Paper

I finally finished the hare I'd been working on at Harrogate Spring Flower Show and finalised the limited edition prints.

While working on this image I frequently thought about my dad because one of his little saying was 'hare today, gone tomorrow'. Although he's been dead for over eighteen years I can still hear him saying it.

Having seen the media footage of the aftermath of the Oklahoma hurricane it suddenly struck me how terribly apt the saying was, we are indeed here today and gone tomorrow. It  made me realise just how important it is to live for today, appreciate what I have and not long for tomorrow.

Limited edition giclee prints of 'Watching' are available direct from me, I will update my website later today.
Edition limited to 350, produced on 100% cotton fine art paper.
Image size approximately 13.5 x 9.5 inches, the print is mounted/matted in white, mounted/matted size 16 x 20.

** Now available direct from my website**

If you'd like any further information please email me: gayle.mason@gmail.com

Sepia Cat Completed

'Hurry By'

Limited Edition Print

Mounted/Matted in white to 16 x 20 inches

I've finally finished the sepia cat and it's available as a limited edition giclee print. 

I decided to add a ladybird in colour to create another focal point. I called it Hurry By' because the cat hasn't yet spotted it but it could at any moment.

If you're interested in buying a print please email me and I can supply all the details, gayle.mason@gmail.com

I thoroughly enjoyed Harrogate Spring Flower Show with Made in Yorkshire, the first show of the year is always a great social occasion. Sales were up on the same show last year so that's a step in the right direction. I was working on a pastel hare which should be finished in the next couple of days, it seemed to be popular with the visitors.

I have more or less finished this years cat images for this years SOFA (Society of Feline Artists) exhibition so I'll be back to concentrating on wildlife.

Monochrome Cat

I've decided to try and be early completing my images for this years Society of Feline Artists exhibition.
I'm drawing this one using a Van Dyck Brown polychromos coloured pencil which is slightly warmer than sepia.
The image will be 16 x 12 and I'm using an Arches board which I'm finding good to work on.

Next week I'll have a stand at Harrogate Spring Flower Show so keep your fingers crossed that the weather is better than it was last year.