Do you work from photos or real life?

I work from photos, since even the best-trained pets have no patience for a portrait sitting!
Sending a variety of photos usually works best, since sometimes I can combine the best from each.
You can email digital photos or scans or snail-mail traditional photos, which I will return with your portrait.

A few words about Flemish technique

A few words about Flemish technique I use for my paintings.

Flemish Technique means different things to different artists and art teachers.

I can only describe how I worked based on what I read and was shown by other artists.

I have dedicated most of my time to studying the 7 layer techniques of  Flemish Masters

(Rubens, Jacob Jordaens,Van Duke, Caspar de,Snyders and others).

Before each new layer the canvas (ideally dried during 1 week)

is carefully wiped with a half of an onion (in order to prepare the dried surface to absorb better)

and then with linseed oil. The technique involves many steps.

It is a complex process.

Pencil or charcoal drawing, ink pen drawing.

1. Imprimatura

2. First umber under painting

3. Second umber underpainting

4. Monochromatic underpainting

5.6. First and second color layers

7. The brightest parts of the image

Using media: Dammar varnish, linseed oil, turpentine or Maroger.

It's my preferred method to create my floral, still life and portrait paintings.

 Some slight variations to the technique are used for the landscape.                                                                                                   Elena Vacha 

How long does a portrait take?

How long does a portrait take? 

How long will it be before I receive the work?

Normally, expect a watercolor portrait to take between three and four days.

If you have a more urgent deadline, sometimes it's possible to complete a portrait quicker.

In these circumstances please contact me and I'll let you know if it's possible. 

What makes for a good photo for you to work from? Do you have any guidelines?

Here's some general guidelines for your photographs

1. Please provide a selection of photographs of your animal 

(about five or six photos is a good number).

2. Whether you choose to order online or via the mail, photos can be emailed or mailed. 

(I always return any photo's that are sent to me).

3. You may wish to suggest a preferred photograph for me to work from, or which photo best reflects the subjects eyes or coat color.

(This information can be written in the "Additional information" box when ordering via the mail, or email me if ordering online).

4. If your pet has died and you only have poor photos please read this FAQ for more information.

Below are some ideal examples of photographs.

 

Ideal example.

Poor photo examples

1.Overhead shots cause the portrait to have a "contorted" feel.

2. The dog is not filling the photo, making it difficult to see the detail of the coat and eyes, etc.

Сan you change the background color or the eye color?

If I paint a pet's portrait in oil, then changing the background color or the eye color is relatively easy.

If the portrait is painted using water colors than it is sometimes difficult.

Watercolor is like life. Better get it right the first time – you don't get a second chance! (Sergei Bongart)

Here an example of a background which I changed at the request of the customer. I like a purple background.)

Dog (cat) Memorial Portrait. Frequently asked questions.

My dog (cat) has died and I only have poor photos.
Can you create a memorial portrait from this?
And do you return the photos? 
Generally, it's a good idea to have the best possible photo of your pet, however, I'm also aware that this is not always possible.
Perhaps your pet has recently died and you only have a few poor photographs, or maybe it's a surprise present and you're limited in the photos you can obtain of the subject.
In these circumstances I advise that you send the photos first for evaluation before ordering,
I'll then take a look at them and advise you if it's possible to do a memorial portrait from them.
I always return any photos that are sent to me.
To give you an idea, here's an example of a recent commission I undertook where there was only poor photos available,
because the cat had recently passed away.

The photograph seen on the right was the best pose, but very poor quality.The other photo was of reasonable quality so I was able to use this as a reference for the color of the eyes.

Day 21: Something you want

The sky, the sea, the beach look so inviting.
Tiny Texas beach house! This is exactly what I want!! and a studio at the beach!
 This would be a dream come true...

Day 20: Something orange

Watercolor 11"x14" 

Day 19: Something new

Original watercolor painting. 9"x 12 " 90lb.
Quick painting.

Day 18: Just a doodle

Day17: Favorite plant

I love geranium's especially red! 
.... always a beauty on the sill.
Original watercolor painting. 9"x 12 " 90lb.

Day 16: Inspiration

My inspiration tends to visit me at about one or three in the morning! 

smile

emoti

But an idea never comes to me suddenly; it sits inside me for while, and then emerges.

smile emoticon

Watercolor 11"x14"

Day 15: Family Picture

watercolors 300lb 11"x14"
Day 16: Inspiration 

Day 14: Favorite Fairytale.

I love fairytales.
When I was a kid, I had two big books of fairytales, one by Hans Christian Andersen and another by The Brothers Grimm. One of my favorite children's story is “The Fisherman and his wife”; a tale from The Brothers Grimm.
If you have never read this, find it and read it, then I know you will understand the moral of the story. The story is a great parable about greed and it appeals to many age groups.

08/14/2015 Day 14. Comic.

Quick sketch. Trying (2) to break fear of people.

Mr. Bean My favorite Comic Character. 
He gives me the great entertainment and he makes me laugh all the time. 
Tomorrow - 08/14/2015 Day 14. Favorite Fairytale.

Day 12: Most recent accomplishment.

I did 11 paintings in 11 days..
It’s a great way to encourage myself to sketch daily and maybe you need that encouragement too! 

Day 11: Turning Point in your life

"We're gonna make some big decisions in our little world" - Bob Ross
The older you get, the more turning points you see in your life. smile emoticon
A number of years ago, I received a Bob Ross painting starter kit for my birthday from my husband. From the moment I started following Bob’s instruction, I was able to start creating work right away, and I not onlyamazed myself but others as well. I then went on then to take classes from other artists and explore other techniques. Although I learned a wide variety of methods and techniques from other sources and employ them in my painting, I still will borrow a technique or two as need from Bob Ross.
I have always dreamed of painting beautiful works of art, my husband encouraged me, but the spark of my inspiration did not come to full fruition until I started understanding the beautiful vision with me! From the very first painting that I did, following Bob Ross’ instruction, I gained the confidence to keep pursuing what I thought was only a dream, to be an Artist. I truly enjoy painting more than I can express, and I wished I could have thanked Bob Ross in person for helping guide me to where I am today as an artist. I do know that we all can't be great artists, but we all can enjoy what Bob Ross taught us. I also love my art, my painting, no matter the medium, because it brings me joy and relives stress more than anything else I know of.
Thank you Mr. Ross for the joy and stress relief you have provided to me over the years.
Original watercolor painting. 9"x 12 " 90lb.
Tomorrow - 08/12/2015 Day 12 Most recent accomplishment

P.S.Here are some of his best bits of wisdom.

Day10: Favorite Sweetie

I love cheesecake of all flavors!
You bite it and it's an instant heavenly feeling. The baked cheesecake is beyond description its just that good!
That makes my heart happy!
Original watercolor painting. 9"x 12 " 90lb.
Tomorrow - 08/11/2015 Day 11 Turning Point in your life

Day 9: Favorite TV Show

"Breaking Bad". 
This is the best TV show I have seen. Like a great novel slowly unfolding, it's funny, heartbreaking, incredibly tense, deeply disturbing. I managed to watch all 5 seasons in just over a month. I had to wait a while for the last few episodes, as they hadn't been broadcast, and the wait was unbearable. The story lines are so engrossing you won't be able to stop watching. You simply don't know and won't know what happens next until it actually happens that's how intense and mind-blowing this show is. Furthermore the actors are doing a tremendous job! All in all, absolutely brilliant.
Walter White & Jesse Pinkman.
Original watercolor painting
Tomorrow - 08/10/2015 Day 10 Favorite Sweetness

Day 8 - Favorite Animated Character

Watched Ice Age 3 last night and remembered how much I love these guys.
Watercolor 90lb
Tomorrow - 08/09/2015 Day 9 Favorite TV Show