Painting of Zoe the Comfort Retriever

I've gone to the dogs today!  This custom portrait, 6 x 6 inches in oil, is of Zoe the Comfort Retriever.  I had never heard of this kind of dog before, but what a cute furry face!  I loved the bit of lavender in Zoe's nose, so that inspired the lavender/blue background.

The sketch, with Zoe's photo on my monitor in front.

The real Zoe ...

And my version ...

 You can see this painting on my Daily Paintworks Gallery page here.

Mickey Sue and Ophelia

I have two really lovely sisters - and a wonderful family!  Today's paintings are of my sister Nancy's two dogs, Mickey Sue and Ophelia (otherwise known as Oaf Pie).  First I sketched them out on the 6 x 6 inch black primed gessoboard.  Today I used Ampersand's gessoboard and I really like how smooth it is.  I used the 1/8 inch flat.  I had been using a canvas-covered board, but I think I will be using a nice smooth masonite in the future.  Anyway, as you can see from the picture, I like to draw a grid so as to get the sketch as accurate as possible.  I have been reading my dad's Andrew Loomis books and Loomis used a grid system.  Also, one of my painter hero's, Frank Brangwyn did the same.  So if it's good enough for them ...

 The lovely Oaf Pie.

 The adorable Mickey Sue.

 

Then, I painted them both in oils, looking for areas of color - not trying to "paint a dog," per se, but just blocking in the values as close as I could.  I find it really helpful to paint right in front of my monitor.  That way I can mix up a color and then hold it right up to the screen and check my value and color.  Today I painted my modem with a nice bright splotch of orange - whoops!

 

 I should have made Oafie's head a bit smaller so they would work better as a pair.  Oh well, I'll bet I end up painting this dynamic duo again : - )

These cuties are for you Nancy!