Goliath - Commissioned Pet Portrait

"Goliath" - Commissioned Pet Portrait, 8 by 10

I've been working the past few days on this pet portrait. A customer requested this painting as a gift for her sister. I was a bit nervous before starting it because the right side of the dog (in the reference photo) was mostly in shadow. It didn't look bad in the photo, I just wasn't sure I was going to be able to render it the way I wanted to with paint. But, I am very pleased with the way that it turned out. The scan isn't perfect, but the original looks great.

If you're interested in a custom pet portrait, just check out my Etsy page. I offer 3 different sizes and I think the prices are very reasonable.

Off to plan my next painting! :)

Custom Pet Portraits

I'm officially offering custom pet portraits. I so enjoy painting animals and would be happy to create a lasting memory of your beloved pet.

The portrait will be done from your photograph(s). So you will need to find your favorite photo or take one that captures your pets personality and character. Photos are very important to this process. The quality of the portrait depends on the quality of the photo. Here are a few tips for capturing a good image of your pet:

- Take the photo at the eye level of your pet. Don't take it from above or below.

-Light is important. Try taking the photo with your pet near a window with light coming in, if indoors, or outdoors. Natural light is best.

- Don't take the photo too close.

- Take a bunch of photos so you will have several to choose from.

After you have chosen the photographs you can email them to me or send them by mail (they will be returned to you) along with any requirements that you have.

Your pet portrait will be painted in pastel on acid free and archival paper or board with the finest quality pastels. Pastels on archival surfaces will hold their color for centuries without fading, cracking, or yellowing as other mediums do.

To purchase you can either view my Etsy shop, or contact me via email (angela292@hotmail.com).

Prices:

5 by 7 Pet Portrait - $75 + shipping

8 by 10 Pet Portrait - $100 + shipping

11 by 14 Pet Portrait - $125 + shipping

If you're interested a different size than listed above, contact me for a quote.

Please note that these prices are for one pet. If you wish to have multiple pets in one painting there will be an additional charge.

I will ask for 2-3 weeks to complete your painting.

Also note that framing isn't included, but available at an additional cost if you're interested.

You are certainly not obligated to purchase the final painting if you are unhappy with it.

Payment is due when the painting is complete. I may ask for a nonrefundable deposit before I begin.

"Until one has loved an animal, a part of one's soul remains unawakened." ~ Anatole France

Maverick Update 2 & 3

This is Maverick, the little sweetie I've been commissioned to paint. I gave the first update on him yesterday.
Here is update number 2. I finished the background and completed the eyes and nose. I always begin the actual portrait with the eyes. The eyes bring the animal to life, and if I can get them right, the rest of the portrait seems to come together nicely.

Here is update number 3. I put in an initial layer of pastel all over. I always like to fill in the tooth of the board first because then I am able to achieve finer lines and details.

I know he doesn't look like much now, and please excuse the poor quality of the images. All paintings reach what I call the "yuck" stage and that's probably how I would describe where I am at. Something we have to keep in mind is that painting is a progress and you have to be able to envision the end result. I think this is especially difficult for non artists.

I hope to finish this today or tomorrow so stay tuned! :)

Can You See Me?

"Can You See Me?" 5 by 7, Pastel Painting

Available Here

I think it's safe to say that this is my favorite cat portrait so far. It was so much fun to paint. Pets have such cute personalities and it was fun trying to capture that in this painting.

This painting was of course done on Pastelbord and I used a combination of pastel sticks and pencils. This painting is available in my Etsy shop.

Also, I'm having a sale in my Etsy shop this week. 40% off every purchase. Use coupon code "HolidaySale" at checkout. Sale goes until Friday (this painting is not included in the sale).

If you're interested in a pet portrait of your own, just let me know.

Have a great Monday!

Lucky

"Lucky" 5 by 7, Pastel Painting

Available Here

"Lucky" is my latest painting. With the holidays literally around the corner, I wanted to make sure I fit in some painting today. I've been waiting to paint this dog and tried it on this new board. Well, it's Ampersand Pastelbord, but it's in the color "sand" which I have never used before. I ordered it by mistake but thought it would make a great neutral background for pet portraits. I think I was right. I like the way it turned out.

I tried to be a little more loose and expressive with this portrait. I used mostly pastel sticks and pencils just for small details. I also painted standing up again, and I'm really enjoying that. The only problem I have with standing up and painting is that I tend to dance to the music I have playing while trying to paint. :) On the up side, I'm burning calories!

I probably won't be painting the next couple days, but I will be posting my list of goals for 2011.

I hope you all have a very happy holiday!!

In The Garden

"In the Garden" 5 by 7, Pastel Painting

Available Here

Well I'm back to cats! At least for today. I was going to start a painting challenge for myself and paint 30 animals, but I don't think I really want to do it. At least I don't want to paint the 30 animals in a row, but I think I'll start working one in here and there.

"In the Garden" was completed with pastel sticks and pastel pencils, on pastelbord. I particularly like the background and had a lot of fun with the colors. Actually the cat was a lot of fun too, but I just love layering and blending colors.

Bentley's Birthday

Bentley can't resist a laundry basket!

One of Bentley's favorite spots!

Bentley's very favorite spot!

Well I simply couldn't resist putting up some pictures of my Maltese, Bentley, today because he turned 3 years old. I just can't believe it! My Fiance and I got him shortly after we moved to Wisconsin, and I suppose it's equally hard to believe that we've lived here for so long. We left all our friends and family behind (in Michigan) when we moved here, and I wasn't sure we would survive this long! So, Bentley is very special to us. He has been a very loyal companion and I just adore him! I think family pets are so wonderful for so many reasons. They teach you patience and unconditional love. Animals love you just the way you are, and they're SO easy to love!! I imagine that would be similar to how someone feels love for their child, but I have yet to experience that! :) I never thought of myself as a dog person, but now I can't imagine not having one! I should mention that I also have a Yorkie named Cooper, and he's very sweet too. I'm thinking that I just might begin doing a "weekly dose of Bentley and Cooper" here on my blog. Why not! They're sweet, and they just might make you smile! :)