Tuesday 26 November 2013

Steampunk Weekend

Something a bit different for the village of Haworth, West Yorkshire...it's first Steampunk weekend took place on the 23rd & 24th November and it seems to have been a great success! Many of the enthusiasts who attend the great Whitby Goth weekends also like to indulge in a spot of "Steampunk". It's based on science-fiction set in the British Victorian era or the Wild West and steam-powered machinery plays a big part. So with Haworth having its own steam railway (as featured in the film The Railway Children) and the world famous Bronte Parsonage it seemed to be the perfect place to hold such an event.

The wonderful thing about this weekend was the incredible individuality of the outfits on show, anything seems to go as long as a Victorian, Western Steam twist is in there! Here are just a few of the pics I took:

The Troll-Catcher
 
6ft5 Debbie, a different dress for each day and night, all equally stunning!
A bit of a Cruella De Vil character - she was getting a lot of attention and rightly so!

Although not strictly Steampunk, I had to stop this chap for a photo! The hat was bought from the "Sheetland Isles" :D

And finally, me on the bike, which does have express permission to park there, only me though!


Friday 8 November 2013

Commissions

Here are a couple of my latest drawings. I'm currently working through Christmas commissions and often I can't show you those as soon as they are finished for obvious reasons! But these might interest you for now. I am very lucky to have such beautiful subjects. Commissions are a great way of encouraging me to draw breeds and poses that I otherwise may not have a chance to, they often provide new challenges (like my first detailed attempt at leather bridle and reins below!) and of course the wonderful feeling of having created a piece of work that hopes to bring happiness to others by capturing a beloved friend or a cherished memory for many years to come.

I'm fully booked up for Christmas now but don't forget pet portraits make lovely presents for birthdays, anniversaries, graduations and more so remember: 
"A Pencil Portrait is for Life, not just for Christmas!"

"Jazz"
Welsh D X Warmblood



"Lottie"
Trailhound

"Freeway"
Anglo Arab (half Thoroughbred/half Arab)