Big Break-er

A couple of weeks ago I got a very exciting (to me anyway) commission to paint the illustration for the tin of a new collection of Derwent water soluble pencils.  I got the nod today that it has been accepted and will go ahead, together with a tutorial on 'how I done it'. 

This is not the painting that will appear on the tin, it is a totally different one using just water colours, no pencils. Whilst I really enjoyed the paid commission, it was quite tricky to get a loose flowing effect using pencils, so I had to have a go afterwards with just paint  for my own enjoyment.  There is still a lot of work to be done on this, but it is so exciting to be able to work in a free fashion after months of highly detailed pet portraits. Commissions are very much a double edged sword - it is a dream come true to get paid for doing what I love most in the world, but on the other hand, you have to do what your customers want, and if that means a steady stream of dogs, cats and horses then so be it. I'm certainly not complaining, just savouring the opportunity to do something completely different.

Due to the snow, the Christmas Fair at Tavistock Infant School  was cancelled last Friday but has been re-scheduled for this Wednesday, 8th December at 2.45.  Let us hope nothing dire happens this week!