Celebrating Color

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

Pet Portrait of Skjonn–Step 1

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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.

Meet Kyla: A Non-Commissioned Pet Portrait

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Since I am introducing you to my new blog, it seemed appropriate to introduce you to our dog Kyla! Kyla is a rescue dog who came to us at the age of 3-4 years old. She is part Norwegian Elkhound and German Shepherd, loves to run, jump and be with her humans. Those eyes are often irresistible in getting what she wants!

Below you can see the progressive steps of my painting of Kyla (click the image for a larger view):

Step 1:  Underpainting layer

First layer of paint or underpainting

I paint warm colors (orange, yellow & pink) where the light hits Kyla and cool (blue, magenta & purple) colors in the shadow areas.

Step 2:  Creating dimension

Shaping of her nose, neck and backside.

Several colors were applied in the background and foreground using a palette knife. You can see bluer or cooler colors were used behind Kyla to take the background further back, while warmer colors were applied in the foreground. A solid black has been painted for her eyes.

Step 3:  Developing her fur and eyes.

Fur & eyes are further developed.

I used blues, oranges and browns in Kyla’s fur. Black is not a color I like to use unless it is absolutely necessary. Getting her eyes drawn correctly for the angle she is looking at us, was a bit tricky.  I also need to remember that Kyla’s eyes are similar to glass marbles.

Step 4:  Finished painting!

Pet portrait of a wonderful dog.

“Coy Kyla” 16×12 oil

Isn’t she a cutie? I enjoyed keeping the purple, pink and orange colors, because they reflect her personality.  It makes her look like she has eye make-up, doesn’t it?

What do you think of Kyla’s portrait? Does she look coy to you?

Memory Portrait of PeeWee – Step 10

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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

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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.