M A G A Z I N E

ISSUE ONE JAN 2011 www.sportingdogart.co.uk

THESPORTING DOG ART

STOREY STUDIOP U B L I S H I N G

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SPORTING DOG ART

CONTENTS

• Message from the artist

• Information and backgrounds removing and adding

• Detail of painting

• More examples from photo to painting

• The digital painting process

• Information and contacts

Page 3

Page 4 - 5

Page 6 - 7

Page 8 - 9

Page 10 -11

Page 12 - 13

Artwork: All photos and art work are by Michael Storey and are subject to copyright.

Brought to you bywww.sportingdogart.co.uk

andwww.storeystudio.co.uk

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Issue 1 Feb 2011

A message from the artist

Welcome to the first edition of Sporting Dog Art Magazine.There are many uses for paintings and artwork of your hardworking and or adorable

working dog. These will be the subject of upcoming issues.

The first step in the process is to send a reasonable photo to work from.What is the right style and type of photograph? What would make a great painting?It is much easier than you think to achieve a pleasing end result.

In this issue we set out to demonstrate the qualities and features of an image we are looking for. Also the process of digital painting is demonstrated allowing you to have a much better perspective of what can be achieved.

A special thanks to the South West Group of the German Shorthaired Pointer Club – and in particular the club chairman Garry Squires for assistance during club training sessions. If you are interested in training a sporting dog or just knowing more about the breeds and how they perform, this club is a really worthwhile experience to visit.

Many of the images are taken whilst at their meetings. Sporting dog owners have access to good photo opportunities, but not usually while taking part in a shoot. This issue demonstrates the alternative possibilities.

Michael Storey.Feb 2011

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To catch the right action pose, take lots of photos in quick succession

This painting came from a fairly typical photo during a training session. What makes

the photo useful in this case is the grace and ease of movement. The dog is on just the right balance to give forward momentum that makes it come alive.

The lighting is very nice too, mid morning on a crisp winter day. With a little highliting in the eyes, he has a very determined look.

This kind of photo is very diffi cult to take

with one snap and think it is in the bag. Best option… press the button as fast as you can; take about half a dozen shots and one of them is very likely to be just right. Remember digital photography is free fi lm so shoot away. If the light is dull it may be diffi cult

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Issue 1 Feb 2011

Both of these examples are perfect and could still be a lot further away.Is the picture on the right too dark? Not at all. Being dark is safer than too light. The running Vizsla is the subject of a painting demonstration in a few pages.

BackgroundsRemoving Collars And Leads

Few dog handlers would want their dogs being caught up in thick undergrowth by

their collars, particularly under water. Collars are always removed in the painting (unless otherwise requested). Sometimes very good photo opportunities come from dogs on a lead. This big Labrador is straining on his lead. That gives him a sense of being very eager, useful in a painting.

The fi rst stage is to remove the background together with the lead and collar. A small touch up where the collar was and we are ready to proceed.

to create a sharp image, but it does not have to be perfect. The fact that a little bit of the hind foot was not included is no problem.

The next problem is how far away is the dog? This picture has been enlarged a little; he was a reasonable distance away. If the photo is sharp and in focus he could be a long way off and still be useful.

Now he is ready for action.

The original photo was missing his foot. I added one in although I think this pose lends itself to coming through reads or grass in which case it would probably be covered. Not every background needs to be out in the wild. Often a ‘generic’ painterly treatment is more than enough.

The eyes stand out well, they would be a feature in the end result.

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Issue 1 Feb 2011

One of a range of paintings available as:

•Canvas print mounted ready to hang

£45.00

•Poster prints with mount board in several

sizes £8.00 to £24.00

•As a greeting card £1.10

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SPORTING DOG ART

More Examples Of Background Changes

The previous centre spread came about from this once again very standard photo

but with all the basic qualities. The photo was flipped and a background chosen to take advantage of the lighting situation.

More Examples Of Great Potential Paintings

If you have a particular choice of background either from a source of your own or just as an idea usually it can be done. Over the next page a series of pictures outlines the digital painting process. At various stages I would e-mail a progress report to make sure it is going according to how you had imagined. Sometimes there may be suggestions for changes as the opportunity comes along. These may be colour changes or the need to simplify the background.

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Issue 1 Feb 2011

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Being a ‘dog’ person you probably will not be interested in the technical aspect of how it is done but just need to know the possibilities of what can be done. All you want is some nice artwork of your dog. Here is a quick visual of the process to an almost finished painting.The dog in this case had been enjoying himself in some water. His coat being wet and wild suggested a water scene for a background.

The Digital Painting Process

Original photo Subject cut out

Almost finished. A little touch up around the duck and a little bit more ‘strength’ in the background may be needed. Sometimes its best to let a day go by and re-evaluate the result with a fresh eye.

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Issue 1 Feb 2011

A ‘wet’ background

A duck and splashing water added

The Painting BeginsThe painting process begins. ‘Painting’ with a computer involves a graphics tablet and a graphics pen which becomes your brush. On the screen colours are mixed and applied with various brushes as in normal painting. The main difference between digital painting and the real version is the instant ability to change colours and rework an area.

A computer screen shot showing my range of brushes (top right), the colour mixer (centre right)

Detail of the foliage in foreground

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A final thanks to the South West Group of the German Shorthaired Pointer Club

Their website is:http://www.southwestgsp.org

German Shorthaired Pointers are an intelligent breed. Here, its owner (club Chairman) is being taught how to ‘point’.

What Do You Need To Do Now

Simple! Just email me a photo. Just a simple little one will do to evaluate the possibilities. I will get back to you with suggestions. Eventually the biggest file size you have i.e. the original .jpg file from the camera would be helpful.

storeystudio@btinternet.com

STOREYS T U D I O

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Issue 1 Feb 2011

Prices for original artwork fi le and one 20 inch x 16 inch canvas print, mounted on a timbre wraparound frame

ready to hang:

£45.00For USA and overseas clients, please consider having just the digital fi le created and e-mailed direct to the printer of your choice or yourself. All customers have been pleased with how this has worked.

For other options and more information please go to:

http://www.sportingdogart.co.uk/

or

http://storeystudio.co.uk/