German Shepherd WIP

A while back, I was asked to donate something to an auction to raise money for my local SPCA shelter. I chose to donate a gift certificate for an 11" x 14" custom pet portrait. This handsome German Shepherd was the winner!

This portrait is being done on 11" x 14" Ampersand Scratchbord using only a #11 Exacto knife and the Ampersand Claybord inks. There is still lots to be done yet, especially value tweaking, but it's certainly coming along. There's some corrections that I can see need to be done now that this is on my computer screen, and I will be making them soon.

Rebecca, If you see this, please feel free to comment in the comments section, or you can email me directly to let me know how you feel about how this is coming along.

Thomas - Almost There!

Thomas is finally coming along fairly well now. After having some issues with him, I think I'm just about there. I still need to finish the chest he's laying on, and of course, Thomas still needs many adjustments and details added, but it's almost done.

Thomas - More colors and layers down

Just a little update on my progress on Thomas.

I have put down more layers of color, this time on his body. There is still much to do with color, value, and details on ALL of the painting. Very difficult to get his coloring correct, but I think I'm getting there slowly but surely. As you can see, Thomas's bib around his neck is barely started and one ear and one leg are not even begun yet. Also, I have not yet completed the markings on his head either. I need to go back to those and finish them.

Also, I am curling his beautiful long furry tail around his body. The ref pic I took of him had his tail sticking straight out toward the back and I wanted to include it in the painting. I'm using my cats as models for how long his tail should be as it curls around his body. I'll use Tony and Treat (my two long-haired cats,) as well as my other ref pics of Thomas, as models for how a fuzzy tail would lay beside him.

I really need to increase my values before I get too much more done so that the shadows on Thomas agrees with the direction from which I have the light coming in the painting. This is another problem with creating your own light source. Everything must agree!

Little side note here - my four cats are highly jealous that I am working on the painting of a strange cat. They're even more bothered by the fact that I'm also working on a painting of a dog at the same time (horror of horrors - a DOG!). Lol! They are giving me funny looks, some of them look like their little kitty cat brains are scheming something ........


Note for Kristina: Should Thomas have more gray in his fur or is this coloring all right?

Thomas - WIP 1 - Starting to Add Color

Here's the latest update to Thomas. As you can see I have started to add color. I will be toning down the yellow in his fur and adding more color to his face. These layers of color are only the preliminary layers. There are more to come.

In the photos I have taken of Thomas, he has some yellow/gold in his fur on his back and a little bit on the side of his body. However, when I saw Thomas, I don't remember seeing that much yellow. I have asked his owner to take a look and make sure the photos aren't lying to me.

I have also decided to darken the background on the right side a little bit. As you can see, I have chosen to have the main lighting source come from the right side at an angle. However, I do think it is a bit harsh as it is. I won't start on the right side of Thomas's face until I get that darkened just a little bit more.

Next I will be adjusting his colors and doing more to his head.

NOTE: To get a better view, click on the photo and view the photo in a larger size.

Thomas the Maine Coon - Values and Sketch

I've got more work done on the Maine Coon cat. Here is a rough value sketch of the cat and the wooden chest he's on. This sketch helps me figure out values before committing to them on the board so, hopefully, I won't make a mistake and not be able to erase.



I have now transferred a basic outline sketch of Thomas to my prepared pastelbord. At this point, I decided that I needed to add pencil to the watercolor background I had prepared. I am using french greys over a cool gray wc background. I may just combine some cool grays over the french grey too. Not really satisfied with the background just yet. Unfortunately, you can't see the nuances, the transitions of color in the background in this photo.



I have also begun working on Thomas's ear. Remember, nothing is permanent until I am finished with the painting! These colors are not the finished combination.

Sorry for the poor photos. It's very overcast here today and the natural lighting is not good. This has also affected the colors in the photos. I will be posting another update soon that should be better.