Monday, October 24, 2011

Custom House Portrait

I'm working on a lovely custom house portrait for a client that came in to Wood Icing Gallery a couple of weeks ago.  She gave me several close-up photos of her parent's home, a big sprawling white house in New York.  It's challenging, because there are so many angles and roof lines!  A perspective nightmare.  We talked at length about what she wants and her main objective is to include the Christmas decorations in the front yard.  I prefer drawing a house at an angle, which is usually more interesting, but this meant a straight-on view.  I sent her my initial sketch for approval and then forged ahead.  It's a white house and she wants snow, so I decided to put in a clear blue sky for a pop of color.  I'm aiming for a cold snowy day, not too sunny, but enough shadows to show off the drama of the house.  Here's my project so far:


This is my initial sketch, done from several reference photos.  I drew this on tracing paper, then transferred it to an 11" X 14" sheet of Stonehenge archival paper, using Saral transfer paper.




At this point, I'm about 1/3 done.  I got her approval and now I'm finishing the piece, which I'll post next time.











20 comments:

  1. Suzie,
    I love just the sketch even! I can't wait to see the finished product!
    ~Kim
    from Blogging Buddies team

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  2. beautiful! thanks for sharing the process..very interesting...looking forward to seeing the completed work!

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  3. Thanks very much, Kim & BluepieDesigns! I appreciate your comments.

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  4. Like the idea of giving a realtor a present on closing! My experience of the species is that one is usually only too glad to see the back of them! Sorry, I've got cynical in my old age!

    However, did enjoy your sketch and ideas for the customer order! Customer should be really pleased, as well as the recipients.

    May I invite you to visit my blog at www.ColdhamCuddliescalling.blogspot.com to read about how I make, mend and otherwise create the toys I try to sell at www.coldhamcuddlies.etsy.com. Would love to see you there - and maybe we could follow each other's blogs too?

    All the best. Isobel

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  5. Stunning! Can't wait to see the finished product!

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  6. Susie I am in awe of your talent, especially with pencils...yes I can't wait to see it finished.

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  7. wow, thanks so much Tabitha & rooee, I appreciate your comments!

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  8. Susie, I love your talent... I looked at the rendering and then the partial finished and I'm truly amazed!

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  9. Thanks lost lemonade & Kathleen, I finished it last night & I sent a photo to the client. I'm waiting for her approval.

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  10. Wow loooking forward to seeing it finished!!

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  11. wow! you are so talented! love your work!

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  12. Thanks Crystal, CreekHiker, & Prodigy!

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  13. How awesome! Thanks for sharing your process with us!

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  14. Love your designs! I am your newest follower!

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  15. wow it looks like a lot of work, but very impressive! I look forward to seeing the finished product I'm sure it will be amazing =)

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  16. Thank you for all of your kind comments!

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