The Art of Silajai

And it is complete!  I hope you've enjoyed watching the progress of Waiting for Santa.  This artwork is now available on cards & gifts in my gallery.

I'm getting ramped up for my next illustration, which will feature a German Shepherd puppy.

Aha...this painting is on the home stretch now!  See - I *am* bound and determined to have it done in time for Christmas card sales in my gallery. :)

Today, I've completed the left side of the German Shepherd's face, and the tree skirt he's laying on.  Tomorrow, I'll be working from the middle to the right, and I always work faster toward the end...when I can see it coming to life.

You may not see another in progress photo, as usually when I get close to the end, I just finish it up since I'm working much faster.

I forgot to say before -- please excuse these cruddy photos...I'm shooting these right on the easel, where the lighting is right for my work, but not good for photos (I shoot all of my finished paintings outdoors just before I spray them with a fixative).

Just for fun, I've posted the entire in progress photo gallery from start to finish, so you can see the progression without having to go through my blog to see each one.  Click on the photos to enlarge them.

--Silajai

Today was the day to tackle the Christmas ornaments in this painting, as well as begin the darkening of the fur of the German Shepherd. Slowly but surely, this is coming along.  Perhaps I'll have it done by Christmas? :)

I'm working my way from left to right now, since I'm adding black into his fur.  I don't want to end up smearing it.  I've completed the area (minus touch ups...there are ALWAYS touch ups) up to the left edge of his nose, and at this point, I'll begin work on his ear (behind the ornament) and the fur surrounding it up to his eye.  Then I will most likely do the lower level of the painting on the left, so as not to have my hands on that nose area after I add in the black.  Especially because there will lighter colors beneath him and I sure don't want to get black in the middle of that area!

Keep watching - more to come over the next two days!  I can feel I'm getting closer to the end, so now my energy is ramping up!

--Silajai

Pine needles anyone?  That's what I've been dealing with today. (on my driveway and in my art!)

There's about 5 layers of color in the pine needles so far.  Once again, after I start adding the black into the dog's fur and in the areas behind the pine needles, this piece will really begin to come to life.  By the time I add the black, plus blend in several more layers of color, this will look like an entire different painting than it does now.

I've put a little gallery below so you can see the progression so far on "Waiting for Santa".  Click on the images if you'd like to see them larger.

I hope you're enjoying watching!

--Silajai

The German Shepherd in this Christmas illustration is coming to life!  I finally completed his other eye today, and finished blocking in all the base layers of fur color on the right side.

My next step will be to work on the tree branches - something I've been putting off and mulling over the entire time I've been working on the dog.  I think once I get some layers of color down there and on the round ornament, you'll be able to envision more of where I'm going with this piece of art.

Remember, he'll be much darker in color when finished - I'm waiting to add the black along with some other intense color closer to the end. :)

On a side note - I have another project in the planning stages in my mind.  It will require 13 puppies and 13 kittens.  If you have fabulous photos of your kittens or puppies, please submit them for consideration for this series, as I would love to do illustrations based on YOUR pets!

--Silajai

So I've made a little progress.  Unfortunately I was down yesterday with another headache, so I didn't get anything accomplished.  Today, I got back on track and began work on this fella's nose.  Short tiny strokes...lots and lots of them...layered on top of each other has resulted in a bit more definition of my German Shepherd who is waiting for Santa.

I'm still in the beginning stages - defining the layers of fur in multiple layers like this takes quite a bit of time.  And he will be much darker - with much more black - than is shown here when he's complete.  Once I add in the black, things really begin to pop!  I've decided because he does have so much black in his fur, I'm going to wait to add it LAST.  If I add it now, I'll inevitably end up smearing it into areas of the illustration where it shouldn't be.  So all other colors will be added first in this one.

I didn't get as much done as I'd like today, but that's partly my own fault.  I let my imagination wander while working on this in my ugly, cluttered, basement studio.  I started envisioning the folks at HGTV coming in and fixing my studio as well as the patio and entrance which leads into it. What a dream come true that would be for me! 

See...my studio has leaked for 6 years.  I've spent countless hours dealing with that issue, and I think I finally have it fixed.  In the meantime, I've moved better furnishings out and put things I didn't care about getting wet down there.  Which has created quite a mish mash of furniture and "decor".   I have everything pushed to one wall to avoid getting wet.  Which is fine - but the other part of the room could be so much nicer. 

This is an older home with real potential, and the fact I have an entire walk out basement area for a studio is amazing.  If it could only look the way I want...Working in a better environment would no doubt spur my creativity to new levels.  :) 

I'll try not to dream so much tomorrow and actually get more work done.

--Jai

I'm not quite sure how Santa will feel about this German Shepherd waiting under the tree for him...but I betcha if Santa tosses him a delicious treat or a brand new tennis ball to play with, things will have a happy ending. :)

This picture is early on in the illustration - I still have quite a bit of work to do.  I completed a small area around his eye in order to set the color tones for the rest of the work.  I'm now layering in a base of colors, forming the fur of the dog.  There will be multiple layers before I'm finished.  I hope you'll enjoy watching this original Christmas illustration come alive with me. :)

--Silajai