Client's Pet Portrait Saga

Single photo 

Finished painting

When a hair client sought a pet portrait for her deceased German Shorthair dog, I eagerly accepted the project. Little did I know the hurdles awaiting me. Since the beloved pet had passed away, the available images were limited, with only a striking close-up capturing her essence. Other photos lacked the necessary angles, making the composition tricky.

Lacking sketching prowess, I relied on tracing for accuracy. The client's request for a countryside backdrop added complexity. Hunting online for fitting backgrounds and dog poses became my mission.

Months passed, and numerous revisions ensued. Seeking advice online and from the client yielded mixed results. Despite contemplating starting afresh, I persevered. Surprisingly, the client loved the initial version before my numerous alterations. Taking a brief break, I returned to refine colors, backgrounds, and techniques.

Finally, the finished piece brought joy. Her smile mirrored my relief, marking the triumphant end to a challenging endeavor.

Brushstrokes of Affection: The Artistry of Pet Portraits

Painting pet portraits has proven to be deeply gratifying as owners cherish these heartfelt tributes to their beloved companions.

Each pet's unique facial expressions and character traits pose their own delightful yet challenging nuances. From capturing the mischievous glint in their eyes to conveying their endearing quirks, every detail requires meticulous attention. Among these challenges, I find curly and spotted fur textures particularly demanding to recreate authentically. Yet, overcoming these hurdles only adds to the satisfaction of bringing each furry friend to life on canvas.

Water-soluble oil

Water-soluble oil

Acrylic 

Water-soluble oil

Acrylic 

 

Three Amigos

This painting began as grey-scale in acrylic. Once completely dried I used water-soluble oil paint. 

 

Furry Friends

Painting people’s pets are challenging. Like people, animals also display a certain facial expression that only their owners love or know more than any others. 

When you hear the eyes are the gateway to the soul. I believe it shows individual expression and we all have our uniqueness including pet.

These two cuties below are my grand-pets and were done for a Christmas gift. 

 

 

Unconventional Creativity

How could a painting undergo such a dramatic transformation? That question haunts me every time I gaze upon it in its current state. Initially, I had captured a serene scene of a mother goose and her goslings gliding peacefully along the Mississippi shoreline in a photograph, envisioning it as the perfect subject for a painting.

Over the course of four years, I made numerous attempts to bring this vision to life on canvas, only to have the original concept ultimately lost forever. As I've noted in my blog previously, when faced with uncertainty in my painting process, my creations often veer into the realm of the bizarre, resulting in an unintended and often disappointing transformation. Below, I present the various iterations of this once-promising 48” x 24” canvas painting.

You might be curious why I don't simply begin anew on a fresh canvas. Primarily, it's because I aim to repurpose and salvage what I've already started. Additionally, I find it beneficial for practicing techniques or illustrating subjects without squandering another canvas.

The intended subject 

Original 

Complete

Fig 1

Fig 2

Fig 3

Fig 4

Fig 5

Fig 6

Fig 7 

Fig 8

Profound Seasons

Living in the Midwest offers a firsthand encounter with the full spectrum of seasons, from mild to wild. Our weather can swing dramatically, from droughts to deluges, tornados to blizzards, all sometimes in a single day. It's a whirlwind of nature's extremes.

Yet amidst this tumult, each season paints its own breathtaking landscape. As a nature enthusiast, I find endless inspiration in the diverse textures, colors, and subjects that each season unveils.

Reflecting on my journey as an artist, I've seen my style evolve alongside the changing seasons. It's funny to think back on how I use to eagerly anticipate rapid improvement from one painting to the next, only to realize true progress takes time—sometimes a decade or more.

Whether it's the weather or personal growth, change can feel like a slow process. But when viewed in the context of a lifetime, it's just a fleeting moment in time.

 

Home Sweet Home

This painting was the residence of my Aunt and Uncle I created for them before they moved from their beloved home.

 

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