Thank you for your kind comments. This, as Carl knows, was very much a labor of love.

Carl, I am pleased so far with the way this is turning out - and I almost feel obligated to get it as right as I can - more so than any other portrait I've done. Strange, isn't it?

Work in Progress: Peaches, Update 11 In this Update I’ve done more work on the entertainment center, the French doors in the background and the couch, bringing closer to completion. At the end of the last update I mentioned that the background colors are predominantly browns and how that allowed for...

No argument there, Carl. No matter what, she holds a special place in our hearts.

Work in Progress: Peaches, Update 10 More of the background is in now, but progress is slow because of the area being covered. This is where soft pastels are a distinct advantage. The background, especially the entertainment center, will not be very detailed, so pencils play a minor role. They can b...

Thanks, Carl, very much for the comment. Yes, I do love teaching. There's something very satisfying in helping someone learn. I do some teaching locally in adult education programs, and am always open to private lessons, and give some here and there. You'll have to tell me what MOTCP stands for. I a...

Work in Progress: Peaches, Update 9 Nearly finished with Peaches, herself. I will need to do more blending of the colors, more work on further defining the fur, further work on highlights and details., but it seems to be coming together. I’ve been working over the fur with CO dark ochre, ivory and g...

I have been doing this portrait with almost all pastel pencils - Faber Castell Pitt Pastels and Carb Othello. Some base coloring and much of the background done with soft pastels - Sennelier and Holbein. Keeping the pastel pencils sharp with a razor blade. Bought all the pastels at **** Blick. Heidi...

Thanks so much for all your comments. Yes, Carl, I do see Peaches in Heidi, in the way she trots out to the street, how she sits and looks at me when I'm talking to her. And, in the excitement she shows when we come home. I look forward to a great many years with her. And, you're also right, Peaches...

Work in Progress: Peaches, Update 8 As I sit here in my kitchen this morning, writing my latest update, looking out into my back yard, it’s pouring outside. We’re under a severe thundershower threat. I welcome the rain, however. I like rain. In addition to loving art, I’m a gardener, too - have been...

Work in Progress: Peaches, Update 7 More detail in the head now, and started working down the chest. This certainly is a learning process for me. Pastels are new to me and, though I’m making progress, it’s been slow. I’m still finding my way handling this medium, especially as it relates to detail. ...

Work in Progress: Peaches, Update 6 I’m making some progress on this. Have some more detail in the face, progressing in the right direction. I added a bit of the background in - and that is helping to define the edges of the body. Most of the background is being laid in with soft pastels, and define...

Work in Progress: Peaches, Update 5 More of the head is refined here. I spent more time on the eyes and nose, making more adjustments, deepening the color. Most of the work was with brown ochre (182). I used that color, with a sharp point, to define more of the hair on the right side and on the neck...

Work in Progress: Peaches, Update 4 My stage 1 first drawing resulted in a rough block in of Peaches. From there I went back over and refined the block in by doing a second drawing over the first. I switched from light flesh used in the first drawing to van dyke brown for the second. Still checking ...

Work in Progress: Peaches, Update 3 Finally got a start on this portrait. In the end, I decided to block in the portrait with pastel rather than charcoal. I felt the lighter color would be easier to work with and allow me to gradually darken the figure without having to worry about covering the char...

Work in Progress: Peaches, Update 2 Although I haven’t made a great deal of headway on this project, I can see things beginning to clear a bit, enabling me to find more time to work on it. I just finished up a colored pencil class and it was great to see the progress made by all the students. I hope...

Work In Progress: Peaches, Update 1 It’s hard to understand – and harder yet to explain – the influence that Peaches had on my outlook on the world around me. After spending nearly every waking hour of my day for the past six years with her, since my retirement, she became a part of me. Her presence...

Work In Progress: Withlacoochee Flight Update 15 This painting is complete! (except for some touchups here and there, and some minor changes). The birds didn’t take as long as I thought they would. The nearer, larger bird has the most detail, but the smaller, farther birds are simpler. Surprisingly,...

Work In Progress: Withlacoochee Flight Update 14 Using the same colors and technique, I completed the grasses across to the right side. I say “completed”, but I always reserve the right to touch up or modify parts. As I said before, I work on areas until I’m satisfied at the time, but I always check...

I feel humbled by your very kind words. Thank you. I am serious about my work and just hope that, by posting my thought process, I can help others to think about how to approach their work. It also helps me to put down in words what I'm thinking about and how I approach each aspect of my work. Rathe...