Corky by Laura Smith | ArtWanted.com

Laura Smith
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Added 21 Nov 2005
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Commissioned Portraits. Almost all of the drawings I do are commissioned. One artist I know who once stated, "I will never do another commissioned portrait as long as I live" explained that you have to have the "mettle" for it.

For me there is nothing greater then the joy and tears I've seen on the faces of clients who have honored a loved one be it human or animal when being presented with their portrait. Sometimes I only get to hear about the reaction but there is a satisfaction in my heart like nothing else.

Most of the portraits I do like this one of a lovely Basset Hound named Corky, are after the person or animal is no longer with us. Long ago I learned of a phenomenon that happens when I'm doing this type of work:

When the person or pet we love is with us they are the reality and the portrait represents them. "This is my dog, and here is a picture of him." When that animal or person dies we transfer the reality and most of our emotions to the portrait because it's all that's left. We point to the portrait and say, "This was my dog."

Realizing this gives me an overwhelming sense of responsibility to make that portrait so detailed that it is not just a portrait of a basset hound. It is a portrait of Corky. It is important to capture not only his likeness but his essence or spirit as well.

So this Christmas I will enjoy knowing that a family that I don't even know will experience a little closure when they open this gift for in a small way they will get a little of Corky back. They will have a final "place" to attach their love and their memories. They will also fulfill a silent promise everyone makes to never forget him. And for me knowing that I get a gift too. Commissioned portraits are definitely my "mettle".

Special thanks to Renaldo Lucherini and Trinton Garrett from AW for their help with this one.

9 ½ x 11 ½ graphite on Bristol Vellum. Mechanical pencils HB, 2B, 4B.

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73 Comments

indarto budi 15 Jan 2008

love the expression on dog's face! funny...

Marlene Piccolin 17 Nov 2007

Laura, I think we have a very similar attitude about drawing and I know we do about commissions. I know EXACTLY what you mean about the feeling you get...

Elizabeth Levi 13 Apr 2007

The work you do is so amazing... no wonder people love it. Normally I don't like shots from above but this composition works perfectly!

Randy Nore 11 Mar 2007

Your work and descriptions of your work are great!!!! Keep up the good work Laura.Thanx for stopping by the forum,it lead me to your wonderful work!

nat - yourlocalfriendlyartist 30 Jan 2007

yeah! love it x

Anna Sylvester 21 Jan 2007

Lovely work Laura, 'Corky' looks just like my Beulah! You have captured the depth that he had for his master(s) in his eyes so well. What a gift you have!

mark jorgenson 15 Jan 2007

just adorable and well done!

Robin Brown 15 Jan 2007

Who could say no to a face like that, cute or what.

Roz Eve 19 Dec 2006

This is so well done. You are very talented drawing animals.

cynthia berridge 05 Nov 2006

brilliant pencil art work

Marty Yokawonis 22 Oct 2006

lovely

STAN SWENSON 09 Oct 2006

thanks again...and this is incredible pencil drawing

Darin Spangler 09 Oct 2006

Absolutely amazing! thought it was a photograph!

Frank Rosalez 07 Oct 2006

nice work.

Terry Lee Clinger 30 Sep 2006

I love his soulfull eyes!, great detail

Odin Peterson 13 Sep 2006

wery nice work :)

Jacqueline Bishop 10 Sep 2006

beautiful!! ZAZ

Colleen Dawson 09 Sep 2006

Laura, I am almost speechless. This could pass for a black & white photo. Excellent work.

henry oswaldsson 29 Aug 2006

A very fine piece of work. These hounds almost always look woeful and that you have captured beautifully. Best, HenryO.

Eddy collins 13 Aug 2006

nice work

Carla Silva 12 Aug 2006

So great, I love dogs... This is beautiful.

Lene Daugaard 25 Jul 2006

he is lovely

bianca thomas 10 Jul 2006

Laura u have adorable coollection...wow....

grant brown 04 Jul 2006

fantastic work.

Anonymous Guest 26 Jun 2006

truly outstanding. I love it!

Renata Cavanaugh 23 Jun 2006

Excellent pencil work

ERIKA SONEGO 21 Jun 2006

Wonderful work!!!

Lucia Stewart 17 Jun 2006

He is just beautiful! You did an excellent job!

Tanya McFarland 14 Jun 2006

That is adorable! I just love basset hounds and beagles.=D You have some really gorgeous pencil work.

Neil lecy 24 Apr 2006

This pooch has personality and you captured it! Nice work!

Angie Waszkiewicz 19 Apr 2006

What a cutie!!! Those big puppy dog eyes are the best!

Carla Klosowski 15 Apr 2006

LOL! This is adorable! I used to have one named Rasputin!! Very good artwork!! :D

Jude 20 Mar 2006

All of your drawings are a delight to look at. I am inspired by your art... You make me want to work harder on my sketches... and I Thankyou for that...Jude

Wayne Dyck 17 Mar 2006

You do a super job with light and shadow Laura - and such a difficult viewpoint was drawn so well. Thank you for sharing why portraits mean so much to people.

joan warburton 06 Mar 2006

Oh, what a face! This is one of the cutest dog portraits I've ever seen. Amazing detail and so much appeal!

Jerie kunitsky 17 Feb 2006

Marvelous work

Christina Langman 05 Feb 2006

Awww... reminds me of my basset hound! :) Adorable. Well done. :)

Jerry 05 Feb 2006

Lovely picture and pencil drawing!

Steve Farr 04 Feb 2006

great portait! I feel like I can reach out and put him!

K L Marsala 01 Feb 2006

hey sparky! lovely eyes, so warm this little guy!

Carliss Mora 21 Jan 2006

Laura, Corky is the most handsome pooch, and you brought that out so skillfully! Right down to his nails, you have forged him well.

geri pratt 15 Jan 2006

It's such a wonderful portrait, and your thoughts on it bring a mist to my eyes. So much compassion it comes through in your work.

Marcel LorAnge 09 Jan 2006

Great pet portrait here, I love the angle you chose for it ,the hound looks so natural in it.

Elizabeth Teed 15 Dec 2005

adorable, lovely work, Laura

Leah Jaarveth 08 Dec 2005

This is absolutely wonderful Laura :)

charles hooper 04 Dec 2005

AWESOME WORK ,I LOVE IT LAURA!!!

Ana Tirolese 04 Dec 2005

He is adorable! What a beautiful portrait.

Shay Guerrero 04 Dec 2005

ohh how cute! I wanna hug him!

Nelly van Nieuwenhuijzen 28 Nov 2005

SO VERY LOVELY!!! GREAT WORK!

Tara Corbett 25 Nov 2005

Wow, Great piece.

Dawn Bigford 24 Nov 2005

Oh, such emotion and I agree with everything you said... he is just too precious and I know the owners are going to love this... I would love for you to draw one of my Tasha but I am just too poor right now... Beautiful job...

Tia Antoniades 24 Nov 2005

That look... just says "ya love me, don't ya! Beacause I wove you!"

stephanie atlee 23 Nov 2005

Beautiful work...i love the face...well done

v blair 23 Nov 2005

I know they will love your portrait,he's beautiful.

Loreen Smith 22 Nov 2005

Awe.....How wonderful. Absolutely beautiful work with such great detail!

Aris Stathakis 22 Nov 2005

great work Laura, he is cute :)

Valerie Davis 22 Nov 2005

shading is excellent

Terry Bullard 22 Nov 2005

so cute - nice job

Diana Hume 22 Nov 2005

We all have our reasons for doing or not doing commissions. I agree with your reasons for doing them, and have done my share. As a personal choice it is time for me to move on. Your reasons for continuing doing so are the very reasons that they are reaching your clients! It fills a need for both of you. You love it and they love it, and you love that they love it! It is a beautiful drawing and a beautiful thing!