My Day 4 painting for Leslie Saeta's "30 Paintings in 30 Days" is of Maggie. She belongs to my friend, LuAnn who sent me the festive reference photo for this painting. Isn't she cute? The reference photo was hard to work from. First of all there is Maggie's dark fur. Then there was the fact that from the position that LuAnn took the photo, Maggie's legs were foreshortened and looked odd. I looked online for photos of dogs in similar positions to try and work out the legs and painted them that way, but they still look odd to me, so I cropped it. I like it better that way. I used watercolors and touches of ink in her fur to get some texture.
Here is my final plein air done in 2016 down by the water in Yaphank.
Cropping is a wonderful thing!! She sure is a cutie. I think if I look at your site long enough you might inspire me to try plein aire. Do you go by yourself?
ReplyDeleteVery cute doggie. Love the plein air.
ReplyDeleteThanks Jo. You know I can't stay inside too long. lol
DeleteGreat crop. I know exactly what you meant as I ran into that problem once. Love the way you painted Maggie and I especially love the EYE!!
DeleteThanks, Nelvia. That is one of the fun parts of doing the challenge...visiting new blogs and seeing what someone else is doing. Some of the time I go plein air painting or sketching with people from one of the groups I belong to, but more often than not I go by myself. It is easier that way even if it is more fun to have company.
ReplyDeleteCropping has worked well on your doggie portrait Joan, its so hard painting from photos as most are taken above an animal
ReplyDeleteSo many of you are doing critters! This one is great Joan. The fur looks very good and isn't it nice that we can crop. I like the reflection in your last sketch too. Looking forward to tomorrow's post.
ReplyDeleteLorraine, you are right. Like little kids they need to be photographed from the floor. lol Thanks.
ReplyDeleteVal, thanks. It is fun to see that others are doing animals too.