Wednesday 27 April 2011

West Highland Terrier Double Photo

This charming photo of a West Highland Terrier certainly provided double the pleasure to do as a 1000 piece jigsaw puzzle!
The unusual camera perspective gives a fine profile view as well as a very charming three quarter one of this lovely dog. The photo is well lit so there is enough similarity in the fur colour in this jigsaw puzzle to provide a comfortable challenge. Many reflection style pictures have a distinct tonal difference so the mirror image can be too easily identified. Of course an exact replica of the original would be unrealistic, but this is an ideal composition.

Wednesday 20 April 2011

Special Blossoms from the Cats by Margaret Jigsaw Puzzle Range

Some jigsaw puzzles I do just for the sheer pleasure of the picture involved. This one I finished recently is "Special Blossoms" from the exclusive Cats by Margaretrange. This beautiful picture is from the original art work of a South Australian artist, and only 500 of each jigsaw puzzle has been printed.
This 1000 piece cat portrait shows mother and daughter cats relaxing in the garden. I was quite taken by the lovely colours, the close detail and the softness of the cats depicted. I must finish assembling the rest of this elegant series, especially as they are great quality, being made in New Zealand and not China. This jigsaw puzzle certainly was not difficult to do, and just as certainly it was a sheer pleasure!
If you would like one of your own, it is available from: Cats by Margaret

Saturday 2 April 2011

Jigsaw Puzzle of Wild Deer in a Glade

This tranquil jigsaw puzzle of deer in a glade on a foggy morning is only 500 pieces. However this was a slightly more demanding picture to assemble as so many of them were quite similar. Once the border was put in place at least there were a few out of the way! 
The remaining jigsaw puzzle pieces were then sorted roughly into foreground and background, with anything obviously tree trunks or deer sorted together within their respective groups. Some of the russet tree in the background ended up with the foreground gathering but this was not an issue yet.
It seemed best to start with the middle tree trunks as they were fairly distinctive. Then as there were less grey tone pieces than orange, the remaining background was filled in. Once the outer edges of the russet tree were picked up at this stage it was relatively easy to isolate the inner sections from the pile of mainly orange pieces as these were much darker.
Once the background was complete, it was time to establish the more solid sections of deer, and already the picture was about half finished. Now it was time to look at piece shape as much as colour, although the lighter and darker hues helped with piece placement. 
When assembling any jigsaw puzzle, the best way to approach it is to think of it as blocks of colour and pattern, whether large or small. Any pieces not fitting the section being worked on should be put aside so as not to complicate or bemuse.