a zoo

Cozy cats - sunnygrey cat

2012-01-29T10:38:00.000+01:00

An update on my catpainting.
The background are painted in watercolors and colored pencil. So far the cat is in watercolors.

Weekly review

2012-01-28T08:43:00.009+01:00

This week I follow directly my last review. This is the 2.nd of my "World of Dogs" artworks: "Good company" - Pugs.
The dogs are placed inside a living-room. As the title also shows - a breed that offers good companionship for its owners.
.
My idea with this serie is to make cute, colorful images in a stylized expression.

The original is 25,5 x 38 cm. It is possible to buy prints at Imagekind.

Prismacolor cp's in Europe

2012-01-25T08:12:00.000+01:00

If you are a colored pencil artist living in Europe, you can buy your Prismacolors from Farbstifte.net

Great service is my experience.

The Prismacolor cp's is an US brand and the most used among artists in USA. It is a pencil with a smooth, good coverage and nice to blend.

The shop also sells Derwent Colorsofts, another great brand, even their Derwent Artist' range is my favorite.

Beside colored pencils, the shop has some great supports not easy to find elsewhere in Europe, like Ampersand pastelboard and Clairfontaine pastelmat. These supports are great for pastels and colored pencils.

Weekly review

2012-01-21T14:25:00.000+01:00

My webfriend Bev Lewis introduced this idea on her blog as "Image of the week".
I like the good idea. With the title "Weekly review", I will show artwork from my own archives, to keep posting at least once a week.

My coloredpencil drawing "The Ball-game is over", showing 4 english bulldogpups having a great time playing, and is now sooo very tired.

I made this the first to be in a series called "World of Dogs". The series are now of just 2 paintings, but more to follow.
My idea is to make cute, colorful images in a stylized expression.

The original is 20 x 50 cm. It is possible to buy prints at Imagekind.

Cozy cats - sunnygrey cat

2012-01-19T17:40:00.000+01:00

I have come to the stage of colored pencilwork, working from back to front.
I'm using 5-6 different cp's for the wicker-work.

My space

2012-01-17T08:48:00.003+01:00

Here you see the space, where I create art. I have several things going on now (to excuse the mess:)).

My drawingtable at right can be angled and has a very nice size not demanding too much space. At this table I will draw and paint in watercolors. The lamps above are with daylight neontubes.

The easel can be used for painting and drawing. The small high table behind it will hold watercups, print, brushes and mixing pallets.

Most of my stuff not in use, are in another room. So is my computer.

The board in front of my drawingtable, shows some recent designs, plans, ideas etc.
The bookshelves behind the curtain holds maps, photos and other paperstuff.
I have the window at my right side, looking into my garden. And on the left side is my kitchen.

I wish in time, I will have some more space, as I would like to have all my stuff in the same room, and be able
to have the space look a bit more neat. It all looks more messy when so compressed. But when I work, it works anyway :)

Oilpainting final

2012-01-16T13:27:00.001+01:00

Here is the final oilpainting-practice piece.

I am going to do another piece to practisce more with the brushes in watersoluble oils.

This german shephard was done in mixes of burnt sienna, yellow ochre, ultramarine blue, napples yellow, black and white. I must get at least also a cadium yellow to get the correct golden brown mixes I want.

Cozy cats - sunnygrey cat

2012-01-14T15:36:00.000+01:00

Here you see an update on my catpainting, it'll be in a mix of watercolors, colored pencils - and perhaps other media as well.
Still at the watercolor stage of basecolors.

Update no 3 on oilpainting

2012-01-13T07:29:00.004+01:00

Yet an update on my oil-practice-piece ;)
Phew, it's been up hill, I tell you. But I have just a tiny bit more confidence now.
I think, if I find it worth continuing with, that oilpainting requires working on 2 artwork at a time due to the drying time.
I use WinsorNewtons artisan, watersoluble oils, as I cannot stand the smell of solvents used with ordinary oilpaint.

It should be ready to send to my teacher - Melanie at London artcollege - rather soon.

Cozy cats - sunnygrey cat

2012-01-12T07:29:00.009+01:00

As mentioned in my last post, I have started no 2 in my - hopefully growing - series Cozy cats. This will be titled Sunnygrey cat.

I have 4 grey cats myself, this composition is actually a mix of pictures of 2 of them.

So far I am underpainting with watercolors, later to be added colored pencil, and maybe other medias as well.

The strange dark lines on the cat is actually masking fluid.

New facebook adresses

2012-01-11T11:39:00.003+01:00

Just got my facebook adresses changed :

http://facebook.com/lenedaugaardartwork

http://facebook.com/tegneriet

http://facebook.com/lenedaugaarddk

I changed my card on the artwork-page, now showing part of my painting; Cozy cats: "Madames cat", and actually I am just gearing up for a new catpainting in this series. More about that later :)

Facebook - artsy open groups to visit

2012-01-09T20:05:00.000+01:00

If you are on Facebook, here are a couple of places you might wanna visit:

Interested in colored pencil art ? heres a wonderful group to visit: Colored pencil Artists and Lovers. Lots of posts, pictures and a monthly Featured Artists contest.

"Tender moment" - cp artwork

Interested in animal art? Visit Capturing Wildlife and Domestic Animals in Paint, Pastels, Pencil or Pen

"Koala" - graphite artwork

Not all artmaterial manufacturers are active on Facebook, but these are:
Derwent Pencils (We love pencils)
Faber-Castell
Koh-i-Noor
Staedtler
Sennelier
Caran dAche

Enjoy, maybe we meet there too.

What is Love - competition

2012-01-06T16:35:00.000+01:00

Read more about this on my Images of Imagination Blog

Looking back and forth - 2011 - 2012 - Revised!

2012-01-04T23:01:00.000+01:00

The post is revised, new between the ..... 5 dots!

Soon another year is approaching its end, and thus it is time to think a little over the past year, from a creative perspective and look at plans for 2012.

First I must say that the dayjob was much in the way of my creative endeavors. My wishes and hopes to enhance my creative career, I bring with me in 2012. I searched for new ways to do it, more about it below.

Above and below you see my own favorite artworks and patterndesign from 2011.

.....
Revised:
New roads with known materials.
At the top. "Madame's Cat". It is a painting I am very happy with. I think the subject is nice (thanks to Madame:)), and I had worked really well with sun and shadow, which is an important part of the composition. I have so far been a purist in my colored pencil-work, but with this picture, I have mixed more media, and like it. Both in the work process and outcome.

"Tender Moments" with the 2 bears are colored pencil only - but for the first time on colored paper. I will certainly use colored paper again. It was a much more enjoyable than I had expected. The coat was time consuming but also very exciting to paint. The picture received an award at UKCPs International show, so I can only be very pleased.

"Koala bear" in pencil, but performed with a new method for me. Where I use to render detail and tones simultaneously, this was drawn with values first. It is also a method I will definitely use again, however, alternated with the other.

"The little one" a pastel painting, where I have placed much emphasis on light in the picture. I hope to get more work in pastel, which I like very much.

"Jar" is a bound task from the course, and although I was a little tired of the subject at first (!) It was quite fun to draw it. Another challenge than fur, and I'm happy with the result.

"Gentle Giant - Irish wolfhounds" was something of a mouthful to draw, and I was very challenged by this breed coat type. It was new for me with so much background in composition, but I like it, and will draw more of it. Belongs to my idea of the new series!

"Fruity Circles" is one of my pattern designs. It's incredibly exciting for me to make designs, and when I go on with the course, I'll have to make many more in 2012. I think especially this pattern is very successful.

Series is once again on my to-do list for the new year and I have chosen several of these inserted pictures to hopefully grow into series.
...Revised Final

I currently have 6 blogs, and I write on each a little uneven, because they are divided. One is the commission blog, and it lies still. I have the Danish and English version of A zoo, which is for drawings and paintings. Recently, I have gathered both realism and abstract with animal motifs on this blog. My blog Images of Imagination is in Danish and English on the same blog, and is now only for pattern design. Tegneriet is with small sketches. The blog “Farveblyanten” (Colored Pencil) is available, but I’m not posting more on it.

Facebook runs with 3 fan pages that follows the A Zoo blogs and Tegneriet and Doggy Shop. They also run into a little uneven pace, depending on what I’m doing.

I love to make contests, and arranged 3 in 2011. First a comp. where the winner could win a print of their favorite animals, drawn in pencil. The winner got his wish sent as print; a koala bear.
Subsequently, another winner of a print of the drawing was drawn.
And here in December, the winner of my dogcalender was found. I’ll probably continue with competitions, although I’m actually slightly disappointed with the numbers of participants.

In 2011 I joined a local art group, Stiplet. It’s nice to be in a group with other illustrators and painters. Via Stiplet I have so far exhibited 2 times and been involved in an auction. In addition to a couple of interesting tours focusing on art. I look forward to Easter Fair in 2012 and hope that many will find their way to the exhibition.

I participated in several competitions and was published in a book. My biggest competitive win were UKCPS 10th Annual Exhibition, where “Tender Moment” got an award. The same picture was included in GuestGallerys Top 15 in “3.rd Animal Art Contest”.
My painting “The Little One” was also a couple of places. The drawing “Koala Bear” came with the finalists in London Artcollege’s Student of the Year competition.

The book was a charity cookbook: “The Secret Ingredient” published in Scotland. I’m drawing “Scottish Highland Cow” with.

I will still participate in competitions, and possibly a few that I have not attended before, or have skipped in 1-2 years.

I took a major new step in mid-November, by signing up for an on-line surface pattern design course. A whole new world opened up, and I have had and continue to have great pleasure out of making patterns. In 2012, I continue the courses, and hope it will bring good opportunities. So that’s what I mean in the second paragraph, searching for new ways of business.

I also participate in a course via London ArtCollege, which continues into 2012. I hope in time that I will control the brushes better. The private commissions was not started in 2011, and as my time currently looks, I will probably not for the time being.

In February 2011 I started my newsletters. I do not have many recipients, but hope that more people see them on my blog, where the last 2 can always be read.

After a period where I had closed the print sales, it has now reopened, then I see how it goes in 2012.

I have sold greeting cards, both at the Easter exhibition with Stiplet and afterwards, and hope to continue with it.

I look forward to a productive 2012, with a good working energy in a combination of realistic drawings and paintings, abstract paintings, and exciting pattern designs. And that my productivity is reflected in a more professional creative path, so I can get some income from what I am passionate about: drawing, painting and creating patterns. And with that income, spend my time creating :)

Happy New Year to you all - See you in 2012!

Update on oilpainting

2012-01-03T16:59:00.001+01:00

Here is an update on my oilpainting - or rather - oil practise piece.
Its going a little bit better now, improving painting with the smaller brushes. Still - lots to learn!

Pencil drawings

2011-12-29T23:25:00.001+01:00

These 3 pencildrawings are done for my course at London Art College. The jug was a very new subject for me to draw, but I enjoyed it very much. The girl is my daughter.

Out of comfortzone

2011-12-28T18:15:00.000+01:00

I am totally out of my comfort-zone with the oil-paint. Heres what I'm doing at my London Artcollege course.

Prints avaliable again

2011-12-25T16:59:00.002+01:00

My printshop at Imagekind has reopened. You can purchace many of my artworks as prints. Take a look here.

I do sell some of my black&white artwork in A4 size (21x29,7 cm) myself. From my danish blog here.

Merry christmas

2011-12-19T07:11:00.002+01:00

With these 4 christmas-kittens I wish you all a merry Christmas and a happy New Year. I hope you have a wonderful holiday!

Dogcalender

2011-12-18T13:48:00.002+01:00

The winner of my dogcalender 2012 has been drawn, and the lucky winner is Marianne Bruus - congratulations, and thank you to all that joined.

Exhibition

2011-12-17T14:17:00.002+01:00

I exhibit with my artgroup Stiplet at a local center from medio december untill ultimo january 2012.

Ukcps award

2011-12-14T15:34:00.001+01:00

Today I recieved the written proof of my UKCPS award. Very nice indeed :)

Changes on the blog

2011-12-07T14:13:00.003+01:00

Whale I

Sweet young whale

Whale with youngster

I have been rearranging my blogs, so that this blog a-zoo now will have posts with both realistic animalart and more abstractive and coloristic animalart.

I hope you'll welcome these when they occasionally turns up :)

For a start, here are some acrylic paintings, that have been moved from my blog Images of Imagination, as that blog is now dedicated to surface pattern design.

What I'm doing

2011-11-26T13:39:00.007+01:00

Some of you might wonder about updates on this blog.

It's been quiet lately, but not because I do not draw. I am currently following 2 on-line courses, so all my sparetime are devoted to that - except I do small ink sketches for my blog Tegneriet.

So far a new drawing each day on the blog and associated Fanpage on FB.

Some of the work for the patterndesign course, you can see on Lenes Images of Imagination: her e.

Here is an example:

Take a look if you like, otherwise see you later on a-zoo :)

Eyes - studies

2011-11-11T14:40:00.004+01:00

Study of eyes in pastels and pencil.

I showed one of the eyes in progress in pastels earlier, here's the final study.

The eyes are so important drawing living creatures, capturing soul and expression is important.

Some of my other work

2011-11-06T16:09:00.004+01:00

I have a danish blog: Tegneriet, where I show some b&w art, done on the computer or handdrawn in ink. Small, simple drawings and illustrations, sometimes with a text added, but I think you can enjoy the images alone too :) Take a look, if you like :)

ArtWanted calender

2011-11-04T18:08:00.003+01:00

I was just notified that "The little One" was chosen into Artwanted calender 2012. This is my 3. entry into this calender, and I am very happy to have been selected.

The calender can be purchased from late November at Artwanted

WINN a dogcalender

2011-10-31T16:38:00.006+01:00

I want to announce a competition. You can now win a 2012 dogcalender. It is a wallcalender, size A4, with my drawings and paintings - all in black and white print.

To participate, you must take 2-3 small steps. Step 1-2 must be followed, and step 3 are voluntarily.

1) Go to my Facebook fanpage Lene Daugaard Artworks. Choose the Like (thumbs up) for the page.

2) Also look into Pictures ("Billeder") and choose the album Kalenderkonkurrence (=calendercompetition). Here you must write your full name under my presentation. When the winner is announced I'll contact via the album to get the adress. In the album, you can see the drawings/paintings included in the calender :)

With this done you have 1 ticket in the competition. If you want to enhance your chances and get 2 tickets, you must remember follow step 3 too:

3) subscribe to my newsletter. Do this:

write to:

le.daugaard@gmail.com

Please

write "subscribe newsletter and competition" in the subjectfield.

Notice, you will not recieve my newsletters in your mailbox, but mails that you can read a new letter on my blog here.

With 1 ticket you have 1 note with your name on it, and with 2 tickets of cause you have 2 notes when we draw a winner on sundag the 18.th december 2011.

Good Luck!

Cat eye

2011-10-29T18:36:00.002+02:00

I am not that active here at the moment, but I draw and paint all the sparetime I can get! I am working on exercises from my London Art College course. Here a cats eye in pastels.

Fantasy and illustrative album

2011-10-17T16:13:00.003+02:00

I have added a new album to my Webgalleries, with fantasy and illustrative artwork:

Fantasy - Illustrative

Dogs - my drawings on YouTube

2011-10-16T16:42:00.002+02:00

My newest video on YouTube shows my drawnings and paintings of dogs.

This is a collection of artwork - enjoy :)

London art college competition - finalists

2011-10-10T14:51:00.004+02:00

I am very thrilled to find out, that my Koala is a finalist in the London Art college Student of the Year competition.
You can see the finalists here

There are very different styles and pictures included, as the college offers a variaty of different on-line courses. See more here

I have recently attended the Pet portrait diploma course. Eager always to increese my skills and knowledge, I think this will be a great course.

The secret ingrediens - book

2011-10-02T15:41:00.004+02:00

Today I recieved the cook-book, that I have mentioned in this list: published.

The book "The secret ingredient" is made by idea of Dot Tadman who did a great job. It is a charity cookbook to raise funds for the UK organisation Frinds of Anchor.
Beside the delicate recipes are artwork by multiple artists included.

My contribution is the cp-painting of a highland cow as shown above. You can see on the back of the book, that I am in very fine company.

I hope and believe the book will raise lots of funds for the good cause.

Award prize recieved

2011-09-30T15:10:00.002+02:00

wau... got my award prize from UKCPS in the mail today.

Wonderful set of Panpastels with blending tools, plus pastelmat paperpad... Neither are available in Denmark and I look forward to try out the materials ;)
I'll write about my experiences when I get around to it.

Newsletter no 7

2011-09-27T22:13:00.002+02:00

Be sure to read my newsletter ;)

UKCPS 10th international exhibition

2011-09-22T17:15:00.006+02:00

yeeeppeeee, just found out that "Tender Moment" was Highly commended at UKCPs 10th annual exhibition: Exaclair/PanPastel Award - Highly Commended.
Here's a link.

I am so honered and proud about it :)

2011-09-17T11:21:00.001+02:00

... and yet another whale has swimmed out of my imagination ... Sweet young whale I - details on the abstracts blog

Whale with young I - abstractive

2011-09-16T15:51:00.004+02:00

A new abstractive animalpainting. More details on my abstractive blog.

Whale I - abstract painting

2011-09-11T21:21:00.004+02:00

Now that the motif is an animal: New abstractive painting: Whale I - see my abstractive blog for more info

Madames cat

2011-09-07T17:12:00.003+02:00

I haven't drawn or painted that many cats, so about time I did.

This cat attracted me with its relaxed pose, lying comfortably in the sun. Cats love to rest in a sunny spot!

The painting is in mixed media. Mostly colored pencils, but also watercolor, gouache, acrylic and different watersoluble pens was in use.

Dog lovers

2011-08-30T17:22:00.001+02:00

...did you visit my Doggyshop fanpage on facebook ?

Doggy shop

Visit my Doggyshop

Course

2011-08-25T14:55:00.005+02:00

I am the kind of person, always trying to improve my artskills - and in this case; painting skills.

So I have enrolled in a course, and are working on excercises. And I think the teacher should be the first to see :) Quite time consuming and I have to work 3 in a row, so will be some time before they appear here.

I do work on something different too, and will show that in time... it's a cat. I haven't done so many cats. Therefor the image of this post is cut from an earlier catpainting: Flying mouse - playfull kitten.

New website

2011-08-15T19:18:00.004+02:00

well, it is not long ago since I announced that I cancelled my website/homepage.

I now have a new one:

http://theplanet.dk/lenedaugaard/

This website is a bit more integrated with my blog, so I'll be able to maintain it in less time.

Tundra Kingdom I

2011-08-10T15:24:00.004+02:00

Here is my finished painting.
Approx. 30x42 cm on acrylic paper.

It has been a very good lesson, and experience with the acrylic paint.

The colors is a bit off, as the yellows are less bright and the rocks more subdued in RL. But as my scan was even worse, this digishot is the best I can show..

Tundra Kingdom I

2011-08-05T16:27:00.002+02:00

Working on the 3.rd wolf. This painting is a big challenge to me.

I love this

2011-08-01T08:40:00.002+02:00

I started the "I love this"-posts in january 2011, and will make a montly post with a couple of "I love this" drawings or paintings. Why not applaude something you really admire and love to look at :) Enjoy! As I cannot copy-paste other artists work, I have placed a link on the title.

I have made a change from this month on - I will post only one link of beautiful art each month.

"Visiting aunt Maude". Graphite drawing by Mike Sibley. Mike makes some of the best dog art, I have seen. His detailed graphite drawings are awesome. This drawing is so filled with atmosphere and a masterpiece in pencil. Just look at those wonderful airedales! I love it.

Tundra Kingdom I

2011-07-31T15:20:00.002+02:00

An update on my acrylic painting.

The colors are not quite true - the wolves not so yellow, but more brownish in the shadows. As my scan was even worse, this must do for now.

PS I have added a newsletter, see tab News on top of page.

Accepted into UKCPS 10th international

2011-07-30T23:52:00.002+02:00

Well, what a happy day. For the second time I have a wonderful message about my "Tender Moment" painting, as it has also been accepted into the UKCPS 10.th international Exhibition.

I am so thrilled about it :)

Top 15 at Guestgallery

2011-07-30T11:22:00.005+02:00

I am proud to tell that my painting "Tender Moment" made it to the top 15 in Guest Gallerys online competition 3.rd international Animal Contest.

Approx. 80 entries, votes are cast by the public and Guest Gallery artists commitee.

You can see winners and selected here,

Google translate gadget

2011-07-29T10:12:00.004+02:00

Ich habe hinzugefügt Google Translate Gadget und hoffe, dass mein Blog wird in Deutsch gelesen werden
I have added the gadget Google Translate, and hope my blog will be understandable in more languages :)

Tundra Kingdom I

2011-07-28T14:18:00.001+02:00

Finally I got time to paint a little more on this. Here the first wolf is almost completed, and I have started on the second wolf.

No website

2011-07-27T11:21:00.003+02:00

Today I closed my website.

I will concentrate on the blog with pages included (tabs at top), my Facebook Art Fanpage and different on-line galleries to show and tell about my art.

I do like websites, but found I just used a lot of time, updating the same stuff in 6 different places, as I do both danish and english versions.

Down to blogs and fanpages it will be 3 places.... Gives me time for a bit more drawing and painting too...

And I hope to be able to paint more on my "Tundra Kingdom" painting soon...

Tundra Kingdom I

2011-07-06T18:39:00.002+02:00

Here is the first wolf. It has a baselayer, and several detail layers. Still need to tweek a bit.

2011-07-01T06:43:00.001+02:00

Pugilicious - colored pencil, ink and watercolor mixed painting by Eileen Sorg. This is the most wonderful litte face of a pug. I love the closeup composition and the adorable expression. It is so masterly painted, the eyes, the nose and fur and folds looks so real. So cute!

The ripple effect - graphite by Julia Rhodes. I am a huge fan of Julia Rhodes drawings. Her animal drawings, many of wild cats, are outstanding. So masterly drawn. And the water in this piece is just amazing. This artwork has the wow-effect!

Tundra Kingdom I

2011-06-30T11:01:00.006+02:00

I have been developing the rocks. I want them finished, before I start painting the wolves.
I might add some distant muskox', I decide later.

Tundra Kingdom I

2011-06-27T20:28:00.005+02:00

I have started working on the rocks near the wolves.

It is my intention to emphasize the waste, harsh landscape and to express a feeling of how these strong, magnificent animals live.

Tundra Kingdom I

2011-06-25T16:21:00.004+02:00

I have been working a little more on the painting.
Defined more in the mountains and started the ground that is the vista view from where the wolves stands.

The pic is a bit too dark compared to the original.

Wildlife in your home

2011-06-25T11:21:00.003+02:00

Do you want a brown bear, a zebra, a lion, or another wild animal right there in your home?

Then you might look for animal art that excites you! Many of my artworks can easily be yours as prints.

That way you can also have as many horses, dogs and cats as you like.

I create beautiful, visual stories about wonderful animals, and I hope, you find something you will love.

By surrounding ourselves with images and things that appeal to us, we feel good.

I want to decorate walls with images that viewers will love.

In my graphite-drawings, I show the best of realism. In my colored artwork, you can see realistic colorful animals, as well as more imaginative colors.
To draw and paint is my passion. My greatest inspiration and favorite motifs are animals and nature.
I love animals and I am fascinated by the wonderful nuances of shapes, colors, textures and patterns found in nature.

Links to my print webshops:

FineArt America

Imagekind

Tundra Kingdom I

2011-06-22T18:04:00.003+02:00

I have started painting the picture, and decided to call it Tundra Kingdom. It is a quite experimental project, and I have started painting the distant mountains.

The line across, is just because 2 photos are merged.
I am very excited if this painting will succeed the way I imagine.

Preparing for a new piece

2011-06-19T01:08:00.006+02:00

Finally - after 16 days! away from the drawingtable - I have started preparing a new piece. Just everyday life and my usual struggle to start up on new stuff, was getting in the way and causing this pause.
I am planning to do an acrylic painting of wolfes in a landscape. I have been working on thumbnail sketches, finding my reference material and starting to draw the layout. I will be working on acrylic paper in A3 size.
I might make changes from the thumb, already changed the wolfe-poses, so that the standing wolf at right, will be laying as the one in the middle.
I haven't painted acrylic realism for a while, so I am eager to start. If I succeed, I think the title of this will be "Tundra Kingdom I". The I, as I do have reference for more than one painting. Well, we'll see about that.

Why I draw and paint wildlife

2011-06-17T16:06:00.000+02:00

I have always had an interest in and facination of wildlife. From an early age, I loved books about wildlife, and I collected different sort of cards showing wildlife.

Wildlife are a everlasting source of inspiration and my to-do list is long. My favorites are mammals, but I also draw birds and reptiles.

I love trips to zoos, and luckily I live in not too long a distance from several. I also like to watch animalprograms. I support several organisations that help animals to survive in their inviroment, and can only urge you to do the same. It is a disaster each time a species are distinct.

I had several commissions drawing animals and wildlife is possible to commission too. When time admits, I open op for new commissions - keep an eye on the site and my news.

I draw and paint my own compositions too.

Several of the drawings can be yours as a print or an original - follow the links on top of the page.

See more in my wildlifegallery

Webgalleries

2011-06-14T16:26:00.003+02:00

I have made some changes in my j-album.

Realistic animals have their seperate albums and coloristic animals/artwork now has an album itself. And the an abstract album is added.

Webgallery

2011-06-10T18:46:00.004+02:00

My artwork are on display at my webalbum: http://lenedau.jalbum.net/

See it all in one place

.
You have an overview with thumbnail images. Enlarge the individual images. Play a slideshow or click forward yourself.

Enjoy :)

Why I draw and paint cats

2011-06-10T08:16:00.004+02:00

CATS

I find cats such entertaining and interesting animals. I like very much to draw and paint them, even its limited how many I have done so far. More are on my to-do list!

I became a cat-owner myself in 2004, due to my daughters wish. So now we have a group of charming cat-personalities in the house.

If you are interested in commissions - keep an eye on my site, when time admits, I open op for new commissions.

I also draw and paint my own compositions with cats.

Some of the artwork can be bought as prints, see tabs above.

catgallery

Competition finished

2011-06-01T14:12:00.003+02:00

The competition to win a print of the koala bear drawing are finished.

The winner was chosen by a random number and is: Katrin Julius. Congratulations Katrin.

Thank you very much to all who participated. I hope you will join in, next time too.

I love this

2011-06-01T08:00:00.002+02:00

"GB Jac" graphite drawing by Iris Kriks. I admire this dramatic and action-filled drawing. The movement and wonderful rendering of the horses + an unusual composition makes it a great drawing. And the black is really black!

"Quetzal" acrylic painting by Eric Wilson. Looking at this painting is like stepping right into the rainforest - it has a magical feel to it, dragging you in. Amazing to have all those green colors working this fine, and of cause the bird is an excellent focal spot. I can almost hear the sounds of the jungle in this artwork.

Fine Art America

2011-05-31T08:50:00.003+02:00

If you wanna purchace beautiful animal-prints, I offer many of my paintings at drawings for sale. A new place is at Fine Art America. There are multiple sizes, and greetingcards as well.

Take a look here.

I hope you find what you're looking for :)

Fantasy: Peace and Harmony

2011-05-30T17:31:00.004+02:00

Peace and Harmony, the fantasy-painting of my daughter is finished. It contains quite a few symbols, referring to the feminine rider and her youth, some of her ideals etc.
My daughter is satisfied with it, so I'll frame it.

Guests Gallery art competition

2011-05-27T16:00:00.000+02:00

I have entered 2 paintings into the Guests gallery 3. international Animal art competition; Here.

Part of the votes are delivered by the public.

Take a look and see if you like my entries. If so, please vote for me. You can vote for 2 artworks.

Artwork will be added until May 24. I believe voting is open untill early july.

Remember to take a view on the enlarged artwork to see it proberly.

May the best artwork win :) - and hopefully from lots of votes.

In 2010 I was among the top 15 entries with my graphite drawing of a poodle.

Fantasy: Peace and Harmony

2011-05-27T08:24:00.000+02:00

The fantasty painting will have the title "Peace and Harmony".

Still using watercolors and watersolouble colorpencils.

I think the painting progress very well.

competition deadline 31. may

2011-05-26T07:49:00.001+02:00

Remember to e-mail me if you wanna join the competition of a print of my koala-drawing.

The question is, what is the funny detail about the koala, I mention in my post: koala finished.

My adress can be seen in Profile page, or top right coloumn at my blog. a-zoo.blogspot.com

Fantasy

2011-05-25T10:41:00.003+02:00

More colors. And the fennec fox starts to show.

Fantasy

2011-05-24T12:45:00.004+02:00

I have started painting the girl. Skintones are alizarin crimson, yellow ochre, burnt umber and ultramarine blue.

So far the moon is in watersoluble colored pencil.

Fantasy

2011-05-24T07:17:00.004+02:00

I have started something completely new for me. A kind of fantasy painting.

My daughter have asked for this for a long time, and I finally have a go at it.

The fantasy genre is wide, and this, my first, is not that complicated when it comes to imaginative elements.
The fantasy is more about the illusion of being in a surrounding not likely to happen. And riding a zebra, holding an owl and a fox, the clothing and other stuff.

It is going to be painted in mixmedia. So far watercolors and colored pencils.
Work title, perhaps final title: Peace and Harmony

New wildlife at Imagekind

2011-05-23T16:10:00.006+02:00

2 very different animals are now availiable as prints at my Imagekindshop.

From Australia, the charming koalabear. Drawn in graphite on smooth watercolorpaper this artwork is detailed, but yet with an almost painterly look. Focus is on the animal and the tree he sits in, background is added in a blurred manner.

From Africa, a Grants zebra. A very colorful zebra painted in watercolors. The white background gives this artwork a stylish and modern look.

Anyone who loves wildlife, and in particular these animals, will be satisfied with these art prints.

Why did I draw and paint these animals;

Firstly, the Koala-bear is a competition winner from my comp.: Your favorite animal. I simply asked people reading my blog, facebook, newsletter or homepage, what their favorite animal are. I got very different replies, and chose this cute animal.

I really loved to draw him. To make the fur look just as soft and nice and his face so cute. Also getting the textures of the tree right, and add a background, that was looking good, but not too important.

I love zebras. They are so beautiful with their stribes, manes and small hoves. I wanted to do a more modern looking painting, and as I love animals (maybe you noticed), I thought this could be a fine mix. A zebra, but painted in exceptionel colors and placed on the white background.

It was a thrill to paint. Watercolors can be a bit unforgiven, but it worked fine.

Hope you like them too ;)

Why I draw and paint horses

2011-05-23T15:58:00.004+02:00

HORSES

I am very facinated with horses, and like to draw and paint all kinds of breeds and types.

It is one of the most beautiful animals. Their strength, grace and energy are amazing to look at.

There are so many beautiful kinds and each horse is special and have its own personal expression.

I had a couple of commissions drawing horseportraits, and when time admits, I open op for new commissions - keep an eye on the site and my news.

I draw and paint my own compositions too.

Several of the drawings can be yours as a print from my Imagekindshop.

See more in my horsegallery.

Why I draw and paint dogs

2011-05-19T19:28:00.009+02:00

DOGS

I just love dogs, and drawing or painting mans best friend is a pleasure. There are so many exciting breeds and mixbreeds too of cause. Each dog has its own personality and expression.

So far I had 3 dogs in my life. For the moment I do not have a dog, but that won't last for sure. I like the friendship with a dog, the daily walks and working together also to participate in competitions.

I had several commissions drawing dogportraits, and it is a pleasure, to have happy customers.

I draw and paint my own compositions too. I like to go to dogshows and look at all the wonderful doggies, and have a chat. I take many photos too, as I use them for my own compositions.

Dogs are wonderful !!

See more in my doggallery

Doggy shop

Webgallery Page

2011-05-18T11:11:00.003+02:00

On my added page-tab Webgalleries above, you can find links to where I've written a bit about why I love to draw and paint dogs, cats, horses, wildlife

Koala bear finished

2011-05-17T08:10:00.006+02:00

I have finished the koala bear. Isn't it a cute looking animal!

I heard from a fellow artist from Australia, that the koala sleeps 20 hours out of 24, due to the low nutrition in the eucalyptus they eat.

Take a look at my facebook, to join a competition, where you can win a print of the drawing!

You can find my mailadress at top right colomn, if you want to participate.

Lenes greeting cards

2011-05-15T18:40:00.001+02:00

I would like to introduce my new blog: Lenes Greeting cards.

I am not finished setting up for purchase, but so far, you can see some of the cards there.

Koala bear

2011-05-13T19:00:00.003+02:00

... more koala bear. I hope to finish this sunday, so that the winner, Aina, can have her print :)

Pages on Blog

2011-05-12T13:08:00.002+02:00

"He's my favorite" is one of the cards, that is soon avaliable at my new greetingcard blog.

Perhaps you noticed that I have added page-tabs on top of the blog. It is now more integrated with my website, some of the pages just as my website, and a couple with a link to my website (at least so far, might be placed here later).

Prints

Find your favorite animal - or a perfect gift.

Do you want your favorite animals on your walls?

By surrounding ourselves with beautiful images and things that appeal to us, we feel good. Since you are here, I assume you love animals.
Hopefully I can help you finding the animal of your choise. If you don't see it at my shop, don't hesitate to mail me, if I have an artwork of that particular animal for prints, or ask me for a commission. No obligations in asking.

I want to decorate walls with artistic, beautiful animalart.

In my Imagekind shop you can see avaliable prints.

All prints are sold worldwide in 100 copies only. That is a very limited number, but I want my customers to know, that their print is not hanging all over the place. It is a speciality.

From my Imagekind shop the artwork comes in different sizes and with or without framing or printed on canvas - a very modern looking piece of wall-decoration. From Imagekind you have a large selection of images, sizes, framing and colorprints.

Koala bear

2011-05-11T18:21:00.002+02:00

I had time for this today, so developed further than I thought.

Koala bear

2011-05-10T13:29:00.001+02:00

I am quite a step further than my last update. And here you can see the entire composition.

Well, still lots of work, I begin to fear, that I will not have this finished as expected!

Koala bear

2011-05-08T11:33:00.003+02:00

the different textures of leaves, background, nails, wood and fur are all the fun stuff to apply.

Koala bear

2011-05-04T15:52:00.002+02:00

An update on the koala. Lots of fur, that must be short and soft :)

Koala bear

2011-05-03T16:33:00.001+02:00

I have startet to draw the winner from my competition; the koala bear. It is really such a sweet looking animal.

It's a thin line

2011-05-02T16:48:00.005+02:00

Some comments on my work at my easter exhibition once again made me think about realistic - photorealistic and even hyperrealistic artwork.

The comments were, that people thought, seeing my artwork from a little distance, that some of it were photography. I am happy they said so, because I know what they mean. They were amazed of it.

Yet, I was pleased, that getting closer, they realized (by themselves) that it was drawings or paintings.

When I see photorealistic work - I mean, where the only way I can tell it is not a photo, is because the artist wrote or told, that it is acrylics, oils, watercolor or whatever - I am stunned, how technical superior those artists are, in handling their media. It is truly amazing.

But, I do not want to draw or paint that realistic myself. I want people to realize, when looking closer, that it is a drawing or a painting. I want a kind of artistic "doodle" that shows; this is not a photo. I want them to know, that this image is made-up and made by a human mind and hand. Even photoreference are much used (as those animals won't stand still :)), I cannot believe some people think of it as copying. My artwork are filtered through my eyes, feelings and a wish to show you: see what I see - do you relate too? It is also handdrawn, handpainted and has taken many thoughts, reflections and a bit of my soul into it ;) I am sure the photorealistic artists do too :)

It is a thin line. Because I don't either wanna disturb a drawing or painting with some out-of-place lines or marks. I'll keep trying. Drawing and painting realism to be realistic, but with my artistic fingerprint on it, beside the pure technical aspects.

I think this line-walking is also a reason why I love to do some looser work in between. But I wouldn't miss my realistic approach.

The artwork people believed to be photos - at a distance, remember you sit close to a monitor :) - was, from top: "The little One". "Great Dane". "Gentle giants".

And then take a look at what I call hyperphotorealism. It is by Dennis Peterson, and painted with gouache. You won't believe it :)

Newsletter no. 4

2011-05-02T01:04:00.002+02:00

There is a newletter on my website.

Content:

Welcome
Pastel Guild Europe winner
The competition: Win a print of your favorite animal ended
The easterexhibition with Stiplet
The artevent against cancer

Competition Your favorite animal

2011-05-01T12:03:00.001+02:00

The competition Win a print of Your favorite animal has ended.
The winner is: Aina Budde, who will have her favorite animal drawn: the koala.
The drawing will be done in about 14 days and then shown on my blog, website and Facebook.

Thank you everyone who participated.
If I draw another of the submitted animals in graphite, I will send you an e-mail.
You then have the opportunity to buy a print at reduced price.

I love this

2011-05-01T00:01:00.001+02:00

"Flamingo". Watercolorpainting by Anne Abgott. I am so attracted by this wonderful, colorful painting. Without a lot of details and feather-rendering, but great use of simplicity, the bird stands out with brilliant warm colors. A feast for my eyes.

"White tiger". Oil-painting by Jason Morgan. I feel I can almost hear the silence in this painting. It has so much atmosphere, it's like the tiger silently comes nearer, just making a ripple on the waters surface. Wonderful storytelling painting and masterly painted.

Pastel winner

2011-04-30T10:32:00.002+02:00

I have just recieved an e-mail, that my pastelpainting "The little One" was placed as winner in PastelGuild Europes montly competition.
What a nice way to start a day :)

2011-04-29T15:45:00.001+02:00

Just did some clean up at my website today. Should look a bit more tight now ;)

Website

Originals for sale

2011-04-27T12:50:00.002+02:00

It is now possible to purchase this original Great Dane drawing.

A beautiful detailed drawing of the harlequin-colored great dane is avaliable as a framed drawing, ready to hang.

For dog lovers, and especially great dane fans, this drawing will be wonderful to hang in your favorite room. I guarentee that this drawing will be noticed too.

Take a look at my Artplace.dk

More info at my website, here

Doggy shop on Facebook

2011-04-23T18:24:00.005+02:00

Doggy shop is now on Facebook. Take a look if you love the dogs :)

Doggy shop

Zebra in watercolors

2011-04-20T11:40:00.004+02:00

Here is my finished painting of the stribed animal, I mentioned in my last post;
as you probably guessed it's a zebra.

I wanted a very colorful, and loose watercolorpainting. It has many layers of colors, mixed from a palette of 7 colors.

I painted this on 640 gsm Fabriano Artistico watercolorpaper

Sneak peek

2011-04-19T15:52:00.002+02:00

Sneak peek on my current project; a new loose watercolor painting.
An animal with stripes :)

Top 5 Views

2011-04-17T16:24:00.005+02:00

Statistic is fun. Here is a small Top 5 list of Views from my Imagekind shop.

No. 1 is "Basset hound", quite ahead of the following artwork.

No. 2 is "Arabian pride", closely followed by No. 3 "Great Dane".

No. 4 is "All tied-up for the show" and No. 5 is "Big Boy - Great Dane".

This statistic of views does not relate to sales, only what people looked at.

New print: colorful arctic fox

2011-04-14T14:24:00.001+02:00

The colorful arctic fox painting, is now avaliable as print on paper or canvas. Choose between many sizes: my imagekind shop.

Arctic fox in loose watercolors

2011-04-13T15:36:00.003+02:00

I plan to do at least 4 loose watercolor paintings of animals. The concept being very colorful animals on white background and with a small vignette set-up.

"Loose watercolor" might sound like an easy task. This is not my first, but it has been some time since I last painted in that manner. I actually don't find them easier to do than more detailed artwork. They are faster, but demands attention, focus and going with the flow of watercolor paint. The arctic fox having an almost white fur needs good, varied colors to stand against the white background. Still, he must look like a light-furred animal, to look okay.