Pet Portraits by Sandra Palme

There will probably be more updates there than on this blog!

I’m currently working on the final 4 Christmas commissions: a dog in charcoal, two cats, a rabbit and two guinea pigs (all in pastels).

I’ll post scans and photos as soon as I can but it will probably not be until the New Year! I do have a few other recent portraits that I can show you, however, so watch this space.

First I need to get these portraits done and posted!

I spend 20+ hours on each portrait and it takes as long as it takes as my portraits are not just drawn with pencils but also with love. I want to do the pet justice and capture its essence and spirit – and this takes time.

So in order to avoid disappointment, contact me within the next few days and I can still guarantee delivery in time for Xmas.

Here’s a scan:

Buzzbee can also be found in my dog gallery, this is his page: Rough Collie dog portrait

A double head study in charcoal (cat and dog) and a pastel portrait of a cat are next on my list.

I was commissioned to draw three very beautiful dogs that look like wolves: Kera and Roxy (Northern Inuits) and a large male called Kharn (Northern Illimar – apparently a very rare breed!).
Sadly, Roxy – who was a rescue dog - and Kharn are no longer with their owners so this portrait will be a great memorial for these special dogs. Wayne and Sue from Scotland are very happy with the portrait of their four-legged friends.

This triple head study was drawn in charcoal – a great medium for dogs that are mainly black/grey and white.

The portrait can also be found in my dog portrait gallery:
Northeren Inuit – Northeren Illimar – dog portrait in charcoal

Next up is a portrait of a handsome Rough Collie called ‘Buzzbee’. He’ll be drawn in pastels.

Last week, I finished a pastel portrait of Daisy, a beautiful 12-year-old Alsation girl. The portrait was commissioned by Sandy as a special birthday surprise for his wife.

The birthday was today but sadly, Daisy passed away yesterday, leaving her owners very sad indeed. So this blog post is in  memory of Daisy – her happy life with her family and particularly her special relationship with Julie who, as Sandy put it, was ‘Daisy’s life’. Daisy will never be forgotten.

Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.

When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge.
There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together.
There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.

All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor; those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by.
The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.

They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent; His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.

You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.

Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together….

Anyhow, here I am! The fox portrait that I donated to East Sussex Wildlife Rescue and Ambulance Service raised almost £300 for the charity. Not bad! After all, every penny counts.

Today I finished a pastel portrait of a black stallion. I called it ‘Black Beauty’ because the horse reminded me of the four-legged protagonist of the novel of the same name – on of my favourite horse novels. The portrait is loosely based on a reference photo by C. Slawik – a brilliant photographer who kindly allowed me to draw some of her photos.

This A4-sized horse portrait was drawn on Sennelier Pastelcard.

Please check out their website, videos and info about the important work that they do: http://www.wildlifeambulance.org/

All you need to do is donate £5 – not exactly a lot, is it BUT it will make a huge difference to the WRAS who need every penny. It’s a bit like a raffle ticket and your name will be entered into the prize draw on 31st March 2012.

And if you donate £20, your name will be entered 5 times!

The WRAS have creaed a ‘justgiving’ page and your payment info & data are 100% secure: http://www.justgiving.com/foxportrait

If you prefer PayPal, no problem! Send your donation to donations@wildlifeambulance.org and just add the words “Fox raffle”.

If you win, I will post the portrait to you by next day special delivery. Simples! If you don’t, well, then you’ve helped a brilliant charity and shown you care about the wildlife around you.
So – don’t you think it’s a win-win situation! I do! Come on guys, don’t let me down.

This is the portrait that could be yours:

Close-up:

This is a happy and innocent little fox cub that would like to make you smile. Please help East Sussex WRAS!

Weimaraner dog portrait in charcoal

This drawing is of a beautiful Weimaraner dog called ‘Missy’. She was drawn in charcoal (size A4).

Most portraits I am commissioned to draw are in pastels – the most popular medium - but personally, I really love charcoal.

This is Missy’s gallery page on my website:  Weimaraner portrait

I am currently working on a new dog portrait – an A4 pastel head study of a Rhodesian Ridgeback.

One of my many new year’s resolutions is to update my blog(s) a lot more often!

So the first portrait I’d like to share with you this year is a pastel painting of a very cute 14-year-old Kromfohrlaender dog called ‘Filou’.

He lives in Germany with this family who love him dearly. Filou has not been very well so his portrait is particularly special to them.

Filou’s ‘Mum’ very kindly sent me this wonderful photo of her little dog proudly posing with his portrait. Thank you, Janine!

Kromfohrlaender dog portrait

Kromfohrländer dog portrait

Just started a new horse portrait in pastels:

I’ll try and talk to you again soon!!