One of my latest Intense paintings

Here's an example of my one of my latest Inktense ACEO painting. Inktense Pencils are similar to watercolor pencils, but produce pure, clean, extremely saturated yet very transparent color. They are inks - not paints. Once the wash is dry, it is fixed, you cannot lift it. I prefer to apply the color by brushing a wet brush directly against the pencil, then applying the brush to paper. This makes ink washes portable. I can do these small ACEOs while sitting on the couch, or just about anywhere. Such fun!

This piece and several of my original ACEO's are available through eBay.

Sketch for Pastel Painting of Yorkshire Terrier

Yorkshire Terrier sitting on antique chair.
Charcoal sketch underdrawing. 11"x14"

Initially I did a few thumbnail sketches of this dog in various settings, including a flower garden, before choosing this ornate antique chair as the perfect backdrop.

At barely 9 inches tall and weighing about 5 pounds, this toy dog seems oblivious to her small size. Judging by her silky coat and well kept appearance, it is easy to imagine that she is one pampered dog! Do I detect a trace of mischief behind that sweet face?

Working on a mid-toned sanded pastel paper, I used vine charcoal to sketch the basic proportions and establish the dark values. I blocked in the background using deep red, hard pastel to help define the outline of the chair. And I lightly roughed in some of the floral pattern of the chair upholstery using a soft red pastel pencil. Next I plan to spray the sketch with workable fixative, before proceeding to the painting stage. When painting in pastel I generally do not spray successive layers, as fixative tends to deaden the colors.

At any given time I may have several pastel or oil paintings in progress, as well as preparatory sketches and commissioned portraits of dogs, horses, cats and people. It's always fun, and interesting!

Go Fetch

Golden Retrievers swimming, & doing what they do best!
Pastel, 8"x10"
$250, unframed (free shipping in US)

I stopped by a coastal marsh to take some photos of water lilies, when I was treated to the playful antics of four Golden Retrievers instead. I just love how Goldens live their lives with wild abandon. If I wasn't smiling when I got there, I sure was when I left! From 60 to 80 feet away I was able to snap several great shots with the help of a telephoto lens.

I chose to do a small pastel of two of the dogs. Here I used a blue & orange palette with green and dark red accents. I wanted to capture the determination in their eyes.

If you would like to purchase this painting please email dale@dalebegley.com.

Copyright by Dale Tremblay Begley

Tea Party

Two Kittens & Tea Set
Pastel,
16x20
$1200, unframed

I created this composition for a group show featuring original works by New Hampshire artists that were "inspired by" a non-living artist. My pastel was inspired by the works Henriette Ronner-Knip (Dutch 1821-1909). Ronner-Knip was one of the very few eminent animal painters of her day, and one of the most admirable of all times. She has produced a cat-world remarkable above all for beauty and grace, for playfulness and cunning, and for intelligence far beyond what most people give them credit for. I admire her humorous and anthropomorphic characterization of cats and the luxurious interiors settings she so often depicted them in. She was known for using a dark palette not unlike the old masters. However I like to use more color!

This pastel painting was created using blue-violet as the dominant color with greenish-blues, a bit of light violet, and complimentary oranges, peaches, and pale yellow-orange highlights. Magenta pinks and a hint red were used as accents. I just love this circa 1930's Noritake tea set, inherited from my late grandmother. In the pinkish light of late afternoon the irrediscent, hand-painted blue and tan lusterware picks up the colors from it's surroundings. And in my pastel the set appears more violet than blue, and more peach than tan.

If you would like to purchase this painting please email dale@dalebegley.com.

Copyright by Dale Tremblay Begley