hi there!
i've been recovering from the little sesshin i tried to go on, & didn't think i could get this one done for the paint & draw together september challenge in time. & in fact, i didn't! finished it at 4AM last night - tho i did send it in this morning with the prompting of my son, on the off-chance it might get posted!
this one was tough! it's my first animal, so fur, perspective, facial features were all challenges for me! this is the original photo:
i first tried an 8(h)x6(w) crop, but settled on a square 5x5 format close-up on canvas panel:
i gridded it & sketched in the main features. then - the fun part - mixing the black! i started with ultramarine violet & added a bit of alizarin & hansa yellow. it needed to be darker & less purple, so i added a bit of olive green & also prussian blue - got it to a really deep true black! very exciting, but problematic - it was transparent, but it had to be the main focus color! decided to press on since i liked it so much!i blocked in the eyes (using some of the black, & adding white, alizarin, & olive green for the brown) & nose, and the main black highlights.
i then mixed up all the greys (using either white or naples yellow) & pinks, adding alizarin for the reds, and applied those.
then it was 'just' a matter of reworking every detail! i used filberts for the fur, plus a flat, and fan brushes for the details of wisps of fur. i wiped the nose out out at least four times & am still not happy with it! i also had a lot of trouble getting the muzzle to show length, and - did i mention the nose?!! at last, i decided i couldn't do more & called it done!
this actually was a lot of fun - i loved getting in the highlights in the eyes & playing with the fur! & hey - not everyone gets to create their own new species!thanks for stopping by - take care till next time!
dusty!
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muy fidedigno es un trabajo estupendo .
ReplyDeleteThat looks great! I'm glad you went ahead and sent it, because you never do know how strict some deadlines are.
ReplyDeletethank you, luz! it took a long time to get the fur right, but i do like how it came out!
ReplyDeletethank you, shelley! it really was fun to do, tho i struggled so with the nose & the fur under the chin - & they did post it after all!
ReplyDeleteI like his kind eyes.
ReplyDeleteDusty this little dog is quite the inquisitive little pup. I really am impressed that you take the time and show us the process which is totally different from mine. I love it. Have you painted the apple yet?
ReplyDeletethank you, sheryl! i was really excited when i figured out the secondary highlight in the eyes!
ReplyDeletethank you, angela! i'm so glad you appreciate my showing my process - it's what i wish i had come across early in my learning - & you see artists doing it more these days! i've not been able to paint for nearly 2 weeks, but tomorrow i should be able to - can't wait!
ReplyDeleteThis lovely little dog reminds me so of my "Puppy." She too was black but it's the wonderful eyes, wistful and vulnerable, that capture the essence of my pet.
ReplyDeleteSuch a nice painting, Dusty.
thank you, shirley! i had thought the eyes would be the hardest, but they came together relatively easily - at least, compared to trying to get the muzzle to 'work'!
ReplyDeleteHi Dusty! Your little puppy looks great. Hope everything is going well for you. Have a good day, Helen.
ReplyDeletethank you, helen! i am just yesterday & today getting back into the swing of things internet- & painting-wise - much looking forward to it!
ReplyDeleteyou did a great job on your pup, Dusty. good work
ReplyDeletethank you, gary! it's so great to be back to full-on functioning - and i hope to be able to do your wilderness challenge this month - lovely picture for inspiration!
ReplyDelete