Adding a Background to My Pet Portrait
Adding a Background to My Pet Portrait I always like to work on my pet portraits in an overall way where I cover the entire panel with a layer of paint before I start finishing anything. I find this helps me keep the painting balanced with the focus on the right...
The Underpainting Process for a Portrait
The Underpainting Process for a Portrait I'm off to a pretty good start on my memorial pet portrait of Coppelia. I begin most of my portraits by painting loosely with acrylic paint thinned way down with water--it's almost like working in watercolor. My goal is to lay...
From Havana to a Home
From Havana to a Home When I start a pet portrait, I always ask to hear about the pet's history because I feel like the more I know, the better I can catch what makes an animal special. Little Coppelia was found wandering in the streets of Havana, and brought home...
The Finished Portrait of Jeffrey
The Finished Portrait of Jeffrey This is the finished painting of Jeffrey, a little Chihuahua mix rescue. His guardians were very happy with how their custom pet portrait turned out but even better, they've adopted a little chihuahua sister for Jeffrey. The two of...
Adding Happiness
Adding happiness Because little Jeffrey is a ball of Chihuahua energy as described by his guardian, I wanted this to be a happy painting. So I added in a lot of sunny yellow flowers. I always keep the style of my backgrounds loose so they don't compete with the detail...
Moving Along On My Chihuahua Painting
Moving Along On My Chihuahua Painting This was where I ended up on my portrait of Jeffrey after a few good days of painting. I always feel relieved once the entire canvas is covered with paint--some artists like to complete each section before they move on to the...
Painting Jeffrey
Painting Jeffrey This is my sketch of Jeffrey, a Chihuahua mix who was rescued by his special person. He's proof that a lot of personality can come packed in a small package. His mom said he was pretty scared when he first came to his new home, but now he has finally...
The Finished Painting
The Finished Painting This is the finished memorial portrait of Ruby the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. Posting this has turned out to have special meaning for me--as I lost my own little dog of 16 years this week. Knowing what losing a beloved pet feels like--I am...
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