I’ve been working on building my portrait portfolio and doing dogs has definitely been my passion lately. Probably because I am obsessed with my dogs! What I like best is how as an owner, I know my dog’s personalities, and the challenge for me in painting a portrait of a dog I’ve never met before is capturing that personality that the owner is sooo familiar with. It’s so important for me to get a handful of good photo references so I can try and imagine what that dog is like in person, and then from that I draw inspiration and try to do something I feel like best captures the subject.
This is Rambo, a Boston Terrier loved by Sakura Minamida; and she was gracious enough to give me the opportunity to paint him.
I loved working on this piece – I love his striking black and white pattern and felt that it was best complimented by a solid red background. Definitely a different style of portraiture then those I’ve done previously of my dogs Duke and Lady, but something that I felt matched his personality best.
So I finally finished my portrait of Lady that matches Duke! It took me a while, I found her more difficult to paint – though painting her went fast, it was deciding on what sort of accessories suited her and the theme of the portrait. I was slightly apprehensive about a hat – it was important to find the right style and draw it at an appropriate size, also one that wouldn’t cover up too much of her features. Liz was right though, hats on doggies are cute/funny 
Ordered some fantastic frames – can’t wait for them to get her so I can put the portraits up! They should look proper on the fireplace mantle – though perhaps they may also suit my desk, once I wrap up refinishing it ;P
I did change Duke’s up a bit – different color frame and removed the “le.”
So CS5 came out and I was so excited to try out some of the new features in Illustrator. I work primarily and Illustrator, and even though I am a traditionally trained artist, I don’t consider myself a “painter.” I just never enjoyed or had the patience of watching paint dry and for some reason painting in Photoshop just never seemed attractive to me. I decided, I was just a different kind of artist that “painted” in Illustrator. So when CS5 came out with it’s bristle brush features, I said alright, I gotta check this sh*t out!
My first painting was of my dog Lady, and I was pleasantly surprised.
My next portrait was of my dog Duke – whom I call the Duke of Davenport. He’s got a very regal look to him so I always imagine him with a monocle. I really enjoyed doing this one and am quite pleased at how it turned out as well – so much so that I think the Lady of Davenport also needs a matching portrait – with a ruffled Elizabethan collar perhaps? Lol.
Lol I love this portrait – just brings a smile to my face, and seriously – it captures his personality.
As it says folks, my little pet project, Scotty Valentine is now on Zazzle! I’ve got designs on Ked shoes and skate decks! It’s awesomely cute, so check it out!
