http://sidneyeileen.com/zp I am an artist, seamstress, and craftswoman, specializing in realistic artwork, Celtic knotwork, corsetry, and costuming.  Within these pages you will find many examples of my work in many different mediums.  I have a passion for unique and custom creations, and welcome commissions. en-US Sat, 04 Sep 2010 12:47:32 -0700 Sat, 04 Sep 2010 12:47:32 -0700 http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss ZenPhoto RSS Generator Colored pencil on black paper, 9"x12"
Photo referenced pet portrait

In spring of '09 I donated a pet portrait commission to a March of Dimes auction.  This is the drawing commissioned by the highest bidder in the auction.]]> Pet Portraits Wed, 07 Apr 2010 23:57:26 -0700 Oil paint on canvas board, 5"x7"
Four sessions
Reference: Photo of Ringo, who lives with me.]]> Pet Portraits Wed, 22 Jul 2009 23:30:12 -0700 ACEO, 2.5"x3.5" white paper
~8 hours of work

Commissioned portrait of Rusty, a Schutzhund Dog.]]> Pet Portraits Thu, 05 Feb 2009 00:00:00 -0800 ACEO, 2.5"x3.5" black paper
~3 hours of work

Commissioned portrait of Rusty, a Schutzhund Dog.]]> Pet Portraits Thu, 05 Feb 2009 00:00:00 -0800 9"x12"
Colored pencil on black paper
~5 hours of work
Model: Jazzy [link] , courtesy of *CRYROLFE]]> Pet Portraits Sun, 11 Jan 2009 00:00:00 -0800 7"x4" drawing on polypropylene paper
graphite pencils 2H, H, 2B, 4B, 5B, 6B
~6 hours of work
Model is Kilo, courtesy of togosleddog [link]

I modified Kilo's fur pattern slightly so it mostly fits Zeek's character, as a gift for ~AlisterWolf while he's away from home.

I am very happy with how the graphite pencil worked on the polypropylene paper. Unlike the waxy Prisma's, the graphite actually shows up stronger than on normal paper. I normally only use B pencils for my graphite work, but on this paper even the 2H (the hardest pencil I have) was too dark, and I was forced to use my eraser far more than I like to. I think I will have to pick up a drafting graphite set for drawing on this paper.

Smearing and blending the pencil also worked differently. I could achieve quite a bit of smearing with tortillons, but it darkened the graphite a bit and the original marks remained clear. I almost never use smearing on animal pieces, but I did so quite a bit on this piece.

I think this paper would also be excellent for use with loose graphite, and for subjects with smooth surfaces, such as humans and still life.]]> Pet Portraits Fri, 16 May 2008 00:00:00 -0700 Colored pencil on black paper, 16.5"x8"
~16 hours of work
Photos provided by ~RedDrgn
Commission for ~RedDrgn of her three cats, Tempest, Eclipse, and Orion (left to right)

After RedDrgn commissioned this composite portrait, she sent me a half-dozen pictures of each cat, and if it wasn't for her labels I would have been very hard-pressed to tell which cat was which. Now, after finishing the portrait, they look as distinct as if they had different coloring.

RedDrgn emphasized that she was counting on me to be able to accurately draw each of them as the individuals they are, so to that end I chose three pictures with the most similar viewpoint. That way I would be forced to find all the details of each cat, and depict them accurately.

I printed out the three photos on a single piece of paper and set it on my desk for a week. I wanted the lighting to match in the portrait, and I liked the lighting on the photo of Eclipse, so during that week I carefully considered the individual features of each cat, and how to apply the lighting from the one photo onto the cats in the other two photos.

I hope I did them justice. This project has been a delightful challenge, and I thank RedDrgn for giving me the opportunity to draw her three beautiful kitties. I can still make some small changes to the drawing at this time, particularly if any of the colored areas need adjustment.]]> Pet Portraits Mon, 14 Apr 2008 00:00:00 -0700 8"x10", colored pencil on pastel paper
12 hours of work

Reference: Comfort [link] by *robertsloan2

It's a fuzzy kitty cat.]]> Pet Portraits Mon, 18 Jun 2007 00:00:00 -0700 Colored pencil on smooth press paper, 9"x12".

Commissioned portrait of Nugget.]]> Pet Portraits Sat, 02 Sep 2006 21:17:01 -0700 Colored pencil on paper, 9"x12". Commissioned portrait]]> Pet Portraits Fri, 10 Feb 2006 14:41:22 -0800