Ian by Ian Shields

It really is an absolute swine to draw from bad photographs - all the more credit to you for getting an attractive image out of it. I think it's great apart from the tongue, which looks a bit hairy, if you see what I mean, and reflects slightly too much colour, to my eyes anyway, into the surrounding fur.

Robert, not sure how this works (i.e. whether you will see my reply) Thank you for your comments, they are most encouraging. I have hesitated for months (if not years) to place any of my work 'on public view', however we all have to be able to accept constructive criticism, so I guess I am ready for that. About the tongue, I agree it looks a bit misleading, Ruby being a Bearded Collie does have a 'beard' which gets very messy with everything that passes through her mouth, so what you see as a tongue, is actually her messy beard which I painted in, as I thought it did add a little bit of colour to an otherwise 'grey' subject., her mouth is in fact closed. regards Ian

Hi Ian You've certainly chosen a difficult subject here - all that hair!! Good job on revealing the eyes. Now you've broken the ice about putting your work on public view - you might like to take a look at the forum run by Melanie Phillips. I joined 4 years ago and have been helped tremendously - I didn't sign up for any of her courses but just learned from the work and critiques of likeminded artists. http://pet-portraitartist.com/forum/ (hope its all right to post the link here - if not perhaps a moderator will remove it.