Celebrating Color

The latest news from Carol McIntyre's studio...

Pet Portrait Painting Process – Step 2 of Skjonn

By

From the two reference photos I have of Skjonn, I had to determine, or rather decide, from which direction the sun was shining on her.  The angles in the photos are not the same, but very close, which impacts the location of the highlights on this wonderful black Labrador. I chose the reference photo where the sun is not directly coming from above her because that direct light gives off too many highlights and does not allow for a good definition of her head and her personality.

After I transferred Skjonn’s sketch onto pastel paper and taped the paper to a board, I began blocking in larger areas of the painting with color.  As I have done in previous pet portraits, I used warmer colors for the areas where the light is hitting Skjonn; this applies to the the background sections as well.  Cooler colors (magenta, purple and blue) were applied for the shadow areas.  It was important to remember that this scene takes place during the summer and that she reflects that season in her personality!

First layer of pastel applied

To see a larger view of this stage of the painting, just click it.

You are allowed to laugh at her nose, because it does look similar to a pig’s snout, but have no fear, this will be corrected! 🙂

Any questions before I continue to the next phase?

…to be continued.

Pet Portrait of Skjonn–Step 1

By

   

Drawing of Skjonn being 'approved' by the studio cat!

 

Skjonn (pronounced show’-na), which means lovely in Norwegian, is a happy go-lucky black Labrador and the third Memory Portrait that I am painting for a family in northern Minnesota.  After an extensive interview with Kirsten & Joe, Skjonn’s owners, I began generating ideas for her portrait and created a couple of sketches.  

This sketch has been okay’d by Joe & Kirsten and shows her with a background of her favorite place to play — the shore of Lake Superior.  Because of Skjonn’s sunny personality, I will be adding some summer clouds in the sky.  

After the original sketch  for this pet portraits has been drawn on tracing paper, see photo,  I will then transfer the drawing to pastel paper.   Click image for a larger size. 

Can you guess the first layer of colors I will apply?  

…to be continued.

Memory Portrait of PeeWee – Step 10

By

Memory Portrait of PeeWee - 11x14 pastel 

PeeWee’s portrait is almost complete!

PeeWee’s portrait is getting real close to being complete. This is fine tuning time for me and this will continue for awhile. In fact, it is sometimes good to leave the painting alone for a few days or “walk away” so I can be more objective the next time I look at it.

It just so happens that an exciting interruption occurred just in time for me to take a break from the easel. We went to pick up our first dog – I grew up with dogs, but have not had one as an adult – yesterday. She is a rescue dog, about 3 years old, a Norwegian Elkhound/Shepherd mix and a real sweetie! She even has a paint brush for a tail!

Back to PeeWee…  The pastel layers have been smoothed out a little more, as well as more layers in the trees and water. A pattern on the bandana has been added and perhaps more contrast in her highlights, but I am not sure. I struggled with PeeWee’s grey beard, it was a technical challenge, and I need to know if she looks the proper age. This is also the time for Kirsten & Joe to let me know what they think needs to be tweaked.

How do you think PeeWee is looking?

…to be continued.

Memory Portrait of PeeWee – Step 9

By

Painting Process of PeeWee

Painting Process of PeeWee

PeeWee’s eyes are nearly done.

I love painting the eyes in a dog portrait – I know an artist who paints the eyes in the very early stages of a pinting – but I like to work up to it. By waiting, we become better acquainted and I am able to acquire deeper feelings for the wonderful pet. How do you react to her eyes? Is her intensity there? She is beginning to appear as if she on the look out for something, though we may never know what it is.

You will also notice more detail around her eyes and integration of the colors throughout the painting.

…to be continued.