Pet Portraits for PPF

Experimenting with Canvas Paper

This was a fun experiment. Usually I paint with watercolor on 140# or maybe 300# paper, and the paint sinks into the surface and you can glaze on top, but this time I used Fredrix canvas paper, which says can be used for any medium.  If you have ever used Yupo, then you would probably be comfortable with this surface, except it is not slippery, but has tooth and texture. The fun part is that you can lift very easily for highlights. That is also the frustrating part, because adding more color sometimes lifts the color beneath. No chance for glazing here. I used Higgins White ink for the whiskers and final highlights. I am pleased with the results, and will probably do more like this. 

Lola, a Rag Doll Kitty, with her mom, 

9x12 watercolor on Canvas Paper

This month I am doing 30 paintings in 30 days and mostly practicing my pet portraits. I want to be familiar with all breeds of dogs and cats, but sometimes it is difficult to be sure that I have described the animal correctly. Owners are very particular about that! These are all for sale in my Gallery at DailyPaintWorks. 

5x7, watercolor, Chinese Crested Dog Pet Portrait

5x7, watercolor, Dixon, photo ref by Sally Bernard

5x7 Watercolor, A Pine Marten, not a raccoon

Photo ref by Kim Allsebrook

5x7 Watercolor, Bunny Rabbit

Photo ref by Chris Allsebrook

5x7 Watercolor Squirrel

Photo ref by Kim Allsebrook

5x7 Staffordshire Bull Terrier "Happy Dog" 

Watercolor and Pen, photo by Paola Richey

This 8x10 was done in class this week. I have been in a watercolor class for a couple of years, and I am really enjoying it. I can see now, after scanning this, that it needs some work. Still Life is not my favorite!  LOL.