Oh golly gosh, so this is 'blogging'!! Thank you all for your replies. Yes Pippa is pastel on velour and this is the first painting I did in pastel with the great help of Vivien Walters. My husband treated me to a two day break with her after my knee surgery - to try something new. After painting Pippa 5 years ago folks kindly asked me to paint their pets so it has all taken off from there. I shall be having a' looksee' at the work of you folks to be looking for hints and tips. Tomorrow I shall pop on my recent attempts at trying Acrylic and oil. p.s. Where and what is the profile page?? I need to go and look for it Thanks again everybody feel encouraged already- which is much needed because yesterday we went to view the fantastic art at the N.E.W.A exhibition at Gordale garden centre on the Wirral. I go every year and then wonder why I bother to paint!!!

Hi Joan, like you I only started using the Blog yesterday, and only just recently started putting my work on the gallery. It is the first time I have ever really put my work out to public scrutiny even though I have painted for quite a few years now. I must admit I am glad I did, the friendliness and helpfulness of the online community of artists is great and the wide range of styles and levels of abilities I have found refreshing and informative. Your little chap is a great painting, is it in pastel? the eyes says it all. nice one Joan.

Hi there Joan, my name is Phil Thompson, and I am also new to Painters Online in fact I am new to art altogether, after serious heart surgery a couple of years ago, I decided to take up something that I had never tried before, so painting is what I have been doing ever since, i am sure you will be fine once you get into the stride of things, a s for your lovely picture of the dog it is very nice indeed, lovely colours on the head. Take care Phil

Hi Joan, he's a cute little fella! Did you use Acrylic or pastels? Anyway, enjoy yourself on this site. Lots to see and lots of friendly advice if needed.

Hi Joan, I'm also very new to Painters Online and have been uploading some of my paintings over the past few weeks. It's a great way to get feedback from other artists on your work and I have been encouraged by the responses I've had - it's a very friendly community to be involved with. It can, though, be very addictive and time-consuming and a good excuse not to start the next painting! I must now get back to painting again. Don't forget to add some details about yourself on your profile page - it's more interesting looking at paintings if you know a little about the artist.

Lovely image. Like you I am bit new to this blogging. I have received some very supportive comments on the gallery, so keep going!