Pet Portrait commission ~ on the easel

The pet portrait commission is coming along nicely with still much to complete.


I'm concentrating on the grasses and ground at this time.  Once the back ground has been painted in, I'll return to the kitty for some last details pulling it all together.


This portrait has been a lot of fun in that the client wanted a nature setting.  This kitty spends most days out in and out of the woods surrounding the property and play hunting.  (well, maybe not always, it is a cat)


I'll post  the completed painting as time allows.  Look for the updates in several weeks.   

Pet Portrait, Domestic Cat

Several years ago, one of my Bobcat paintings made the cover of a hunting magazine.  I can't believe people hunt them!  Yikes!  But, through that cover I met a lovely couple whom I've kept in contact with over several years now.  I've been honored by a commission from them and their character of farm cat will be the subject of that piece.


Here I have the base coat in.    There is lots of tid bits on the ground to paint in, grasses to complete ... and, of course the kitty.      I'll post updates as time allows.


The size of this painting is a 9" x 12", acrylic on board.   :)

Domestic Cat ? Final painting

Completed "Jay" and now back to the Grey Squirrel.


I rarely paint flowers.  Not sure why,  I love flowers.  The Squirrel will have Silver Dollar Flowers it it.  My backyard is almost solid with them in early April through the end of May.    


It's foggy this morning.  The June gloom coming in from the beach fog has backed up and rolls over the mountains tops.  I love when it begins to lighten up and the sun rays begin to glow through.   I'll have my camera ready when and if it does today.


The fog is a good thing for me as I would much rather be outside taking reference photos.


I'm very much liking this acrylic.  I think I've learned a lot by just keeping on task with it.  "Jay" was painted on Amperstand Clayboard.  I'm finding that the clayboard absorbs the paint too much.   It's difficult  obtaining crisp clean color.   For my next endeavor,  I will roller on a coat of gesso and see that eliminates this issue.   The one thing I have noticed seeing other paintings in acrylic is that it does not have the luminosity and glow that can be achieved with oils.    I have a goal to prove this does not have to be.

Domestic Cat ? On the Easel........

One more on the easel.  This new piece is an acrylic on board.  The background has been air brushed in and the cat is in the rough stage of base coat.  The painting is an 8" x 10" in size.  Generally, I do like to paint in the eyes first.  Giving some life to a piece helps me feel the subject I'm working on.   I'll post as this piece progresses. 


Happy Memorial Weekend to all.  I hope everyone is enjoying the warmer weather.  Sunny California has certainly seen it's share of clouds and rain this spring.