Inspiration Everywhere

Spot the Difference
Watercolour 38cm x 57cm
This morning I was reading a fellow artist and bloggers post about handling the whirlwind of subject matter and inspiration that fills her head. This is just the same for me and I have blogged about this before. I have a number of ideas first thing in the morning and by the time I get to my studio one just is so strong I go with that. Many get put on the back burner until they fight for a chance again.
Yesterday the mail included a request for a donation to the Seeing Eye Dogs Australia and the latest seems to be to send you cards, address labels and notepaper enticing you to be inspired to donate. I was so taken with the gorgeous images of the Labrador puppies that I recalled my intention of creating a painting of Dalmatian puppies. This idea goes back to last year after I was commissioned to paint Karma a beautiful Dalmatian. Another acquaintance has one too and they certainly have personality.
I needed some puppy shape reference as mine are only adults so I googled and used a variety to make individual drawings and then arrange them in a composition that pleased me. I used my imagination to paint the spots and marks as no two Dalmatians are alike and any random marks could be done making each puppy unique. The composition and drawing process took some time and it was a while before I got to painting the dogs. I was memorised with my mark making and pigment flows in the background that the excitement of this painting became as much about the busy wallpaper background as well as the puppies.
I used a bright white Saunders Waterford 425gsm paper as I thought this would help with the the dogs white fur. By the time you add spots, shading etc I think I could have used natural white and it would have worked too.

Comments

  1. Quite adorable! Beautifully painted. It is so nice to hear how you came to paint them too. Inspiration can come from anywhere!

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  2. Oh My Lorraine, what a wonderful painting of these sweeties. You're just great with animals.

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  3. Really love these Lorraine. The colour palette is gorgeous and so is the compositional grouping. Interesting to hear how you develop a unique composition especially as that is what I do too. It is more of a challenge working this way but it is so worthwhile in being able to create something so individual. For me it makes the whole process far more interesting than following exactly what is inside a photographic rectangle. I suppose artists that do this have moved on to the next level of expression. That is why I love your work so much because it is so creative and unique.

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  4. Adorable doggies :)

    http://www.saundersartistblog.blogspot.co.uk

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  5. I love hearing about how you came up with your composition and idea. Terrific work!

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  6. I love the puppies and the background is real special. You did a beautiful job with both. :)

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  7. This is beautiful Lorraine! Great composition and stunning background!

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  8. Love the composition and the puppies!!! Nice work on that background!

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  9. SO cute ! You came up with a wonderful composition , and you really nailed it. The background colors are beautiful and the puppies are just adorable !

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  10. Thanks everyone, means a lot to have your comments

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  11. Great job on your pups Lorraine. Your hard work on the composition and drawing paid off! I like the wall paper background as well. It makes for a lively fun piece. Dalmatians are a perfect subject for watercolour as you can used all that lovely white paper to great effect. Great job!

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  12. Oh Lorraine - those puppies are so lovely. I like the composition and the background really sets them off. Thank you for sharing. Have a great day.

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  13. I'm a sucker for puppies; actually all dogs. This is a great composition - and I like seeing where you imagination takes you. A very pleasing and heartwarming painting.

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  14. Hi again Lorraine. Thank you for your visit to my blog and for your comment re: the new frame. It was positive re-inforcent for me for sure. I value your visits. Hope you are working on a new painting for us to see! :)

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  15. Thanks Debbie, Ross and Terry your comments are always so appreciated

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