Hopefully this blog will inspire you to have confidence in your creative abilities and give you courage to learn and try new things. Try something NEW. It could be just what you need to make you a better artist, or a better person.

Friday, January 16, 2015

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.



25 comments:

  1. Your paintings are fantastic! Valerie

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  2. Fabulous how you do animals!! LOVE them ALL!!!

    Hugs Giggles

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    1. Thank-you, Giggles! I am experimenting with watercolor.

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  3. They are all darling! I especially love the bunny!!

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    1. Hi, Lisa, and Thank you! Yes, I think I love the bunny best too because it is looser. I am trying for a looser style.

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  4. What gorgeous! I love your drawings of animals, cute. Saludos

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    1. Thanks, Mari, Animals are my favorite subject to paint.

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  5. I love your color, texture, and technique! Very unique and beautiful. You're a very talented animal portrait artist and I think my favorite is the bull terrier--I'm sucker for their cute faces :)

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    1. LOL. Yes, Kae, his happy face is what called to me. It said, Paint ME!

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  6. The texture you achieve with the white ink is amazing. Dixon is my fave. Happy PPF

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    1. Thanks, Susan. When I found the Higgins White Permanent Ink I suddenly enjoyed watercolor much more. NO more trouble with the whites! I always lost the whites before. Now I just add them back.

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  7. Hi penny. Love your work on these beautiful creatures. Fantastic!

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  8. Interesting about the paper, and your pet portraits are amazing. I can't imagine the pressure to do something like this!

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  9. Very sweet, every one of them. I love the Dixon with the beautiful eye you did, sooooo endearing!

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  10. You have done a great job with your portraits. They are fun and full of life.

    Kate

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  11. Wow, so many terrific portraits! (I am terrified of them, myself. I would hate to do a bad job on someone's fluffy companion!) My favorites are Dixon and the bunny. SO CUTE. :)

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  12. Nice post, things explained in details. Thank You.

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More doodle art ACEO cards.

For sale in my Ebay store It seems to be working, doodling and lettering every day, and my Mojo has returned!