Portraits - Commissions Open

So after doing the pumpkin still life the other day it got me thinking that a couple of years ago I was quiet into pencil portrait sketches from photographs.  So I thought who better to have a go with then my son.  

I had several suitable photos around.  And I ended out

 choosing one that had plenty of room to play with contrast and cropping, my favourite things. 

I still have a fair bit of paper left that I have been hording since uni.  Too scared to touch.  So I cracked some out.  

I know there isn't much point directly trying to "copy" a photograph, I mean just print it out.  But if you can play with sketchiness and contrast/cropping with a good reference photo it is very convenient when you have limited opportunity for the arts. 

Anyways I don't think I need to justify using a reference...

So this is what I came up with last night.

Happy with last nights efforts I have decided that I am willing to use this style for commissions for people who may have a special photo they would like a drawing to be based around.  

It would be nice if it is a close up portrait, but I am open to negotiation - see examples below.

Obviously I reserve the right to make slight modifications to the image and alter backgrounds and lighting to suit my style.

I would benefit from having a couple of images to choose from or take bits and pieces from.

The images will be in A4 size, on a thick art paper.  Done in graphite and pencil.  

 

Message me here and I will give you my e-mail address to send images to. 

Thanks guys.

Milk, Honey and Oat soap

A little while ago, the 12 of Dec to be exact, my husband and I made a nice big batch of milk, honey and oat soap.  It was our first time. (with milk/honey/oat)

I had originally organised with a lady, who runs an online, natural skin care product store, to make  her 12 pieces to trial with her customers.  

This was before I realised I needed to register with http://www.nicnas.gov.au/ in order to even make a batch of soap for sale.  It apparently comes under the category of industrial chemical, and even tho one of the guys said it wasn't really aimed at the home crafts person, its is still covered.  

I had asked Kirsty over at ALS (aussies living simply)  how she deals with this.  She said she has no choice but to register as she is running a business.  It costs her over $300 a year!  So obviously all of my high hopes of starting a lil stall and business has hit a little bit of a molehill.  I just can't justify that kind of a few just to try make a couple of batches of soap that I may not be able to sell.

Maybe if our situation changes sometime in the near future.  

But for now I am going to focus on painting, and keep the soap as a hobby for family and friends.  

I will take a photo of the honey oat in daylight, not much point trying to add one now.

It had Olive pomace, canola oil, Camellia oil, coconut oil, cocoa-butter, milk, honey, and oats along with the lye.

It feels very exfoliating, and yet smooth and creamy.