Painting A Pet Portrait in Watercolors and Gouache - Husky Dog

"Mason"

Husky Dog

Commission Pet Portrait

10x10" Watercolor/Gouache

I have completed a number of Pet portraits, but these blue eyes are one of my favorites.

Here's a little glimpse of my progress along the way.

I start with the eye's and nose, and then light washes around the fur and ears. Once those are dry I build upon those washes and darken them. The final touches are the layers and layers with a fine brush detailing in all the fur.

 

One of my go to supplies while painting is the OttLite with the little magnify glass, it gives of great natural lighting and I can see all the little fur strokes on my pet portraits, although I do use this light for all my paintings! I'll post a link for the light down below for you.

For "Mason" the husky I only used 2 brushes. A number 1 Arists water colour sable rigger brush by Winsor and Newton and a fine liner brush.

Below is the original reference photograph of Mason that the client emailed to me. 

He's a beautiful Husky don't you think!

Here is the link for the OttLite

How long does it take you to paint at Custom Pet Portrait?

One of my favorite subjects to paint are pet portraits. This is a commission painting I just finished of Mason, he's a beautiful looking husky don't you think! 

It's always interesting when I just start out how much the paintings change during the whole detailing process, I've shared some steps during my painting process below. 

People always ask me how long does it take to paint a pet and you know, it really varies. I spend an absorbament amount of time on the details once the basic shape is in. I start and stop on a painting throughout the day, but find that once I'm "INTO" the painting it's hard for me to NOT keep working for hours on end until I'm happy with a section. 

That being said....I've learned along the way that when you are frustrated with a section or piece of your painting, it's best to walk away. Many times after I let my eyes and mind rest, I come back and spot that one little problem area right away.

Sometimes it will take me weeks to complete a painting and other times things just go smoothly and I'll accomplish it in days.  Each painting varies and in some cases what I think will be easy...turns out to be harder than expected.  

So I guess to answer the question - How long does it take me? Well the answer is...I never know. Because like every person and pet - each painting is different and takes on a life of it's own.

Custom Pet Portrait Information

Thirty Paintings in 30 Days - Day Eleven

Pet Portrait -  6x6" Oil painting on Canvas

Here is our do Primm, yep she was named after Primm Rose from the movie The Hunger Games. The movie has just come out (she's three) and we had a neighborhood poll and since her mom's name is Leigha-Rose it was a good fit!

Primm is an adorable little 15 pound Havanese and we love her dearly. She is hypoallergenic and doesn't shed, doesn't get any better than that!  She is a companion breed and hates to be left all alone. Lucky that I work from home, so she has my attention all the time. This is our "selfie" together!

Her hair is always a mess, and I've nicked named her "muppet" cause she looks like one of those little ones with the crazy hair (It think we have the same hair). She loves to dance and give high fives, thank you for teaching her Megan!

Off to paint day 12 - hope it's a great day for you all!

Thirty Paintings in 30 Days - Day Nine

"The Red Hoodie"

6x6 Oil on Deep Edge Canvas

$100

This is my first attempt with oil's doing a pet portrait - could really use the feedback on this one from you all. I'm so use of doing them in watercolor with "A LOT" of details and many many layers.

I decided to start with a small 6x6" canvas and I have to admit that I really had a blast with this! Much different with the oils...I used only 1 brush (challenging myself this 30 days) and used thick paint and larger strokes. Not as clean looking as watercolor but I'm kinda digging it.

I've painted "Mr Puck" before with watercolor....here's the difference.

He's just the cutest little "Star", thank you to Georgia for allowing me to paint him again!

Latest Commission Dog Portrait - Black Lab

Pet Art

 Watercolor/Gouache 10x10

Here's Nixon - a handsome looking brown eyed, soft, fury friend, black Lab. And may I state, doesn't this dog have the sweetest eyes! 

We lost our Black Lab Kota last year around this same time in December. She was 16 years old and we were very fortunate to have the chance to adopt her from the local Coastal Humane Society in Brunswick, Maine, Animal Shelter at the young age of 9 months old! 

She was very loved and is dearly missed, and each time I paint a black Lab it brings back such wonderful memories of her. Nixon is the second Black Labrador Retriever that I've painted since our loss, each time I hope to capture the love and sweetness of this breed that I remember in her. 

If you are a pet lover or know someone that is...you may be interested in having a Pet Portrait completed of your/their animal, you can find more information about it here.

Here's our Kota - The escape Artist - she was a bit dirty here....I remember this day well. She did her Houdini act and made her rounds in the neighborhood this day....her bandana was brand new before she left, lets just say it had a bit of mud here and there when she got back.

"Perry" (Pear Bear) Commission Pet Cat Portrait - Steps

Left: Owner Tim with his new Painting of (Pear Bear), Right: is the Original Photograph I used as my reference photo.

 

  PROGRESS STEPS....

 

Just about finished!

Baxter Pet Portriat Steps in Progress

 

Baxter is the cutest name for this adorable little Chocolate Labrador! 

 Step 1 - First a few light washes

 Next I like to start on the eyes, they make the painting!

 Now it's time for more shading.

Once I get the shading in I felt it needed more highlights.

You can remove watercolor paint by lifting it out with clean water and a brush.

 

 Some final detailing and whiskers (I used white gouache for them).