Pet Portrait of Orange Tabby Completed!

by Carol on 6/26/2009 9:02:17 AM5 Comments

Completed pastel painting of "Lil' Red" - 14x11

Red strolled into my studio and approved his portrait! Okay, cats don't talk, but I imagined his approval when he gave me one of his sweet meows.

As I was finishing this painting, I kept reminding myself of Red's personality - gentle, compliant, a bit dim, sweet - and trying to figure out how to convey those characteristics. The edges were softened as much as I was able, but both my husband and I think he looks too intelligent in the painting!

Self-critique: The body was taken too far down to the bottom edge, the red is a bit too red, the body is too long for a vignette portrait, and there are too many layers of pastel on the body. I think the contrast with the background , though I like the background, is too strong for Red's personality. It is Red and I like his eyes. The jury is still out on whether I like the Ampersand colored board.

I have learned a lot painting Lil' Red and now the other cat in the house is next! Looking forward to tackling the "professor" cat. What are your reactions to the end result? To the process? Love to know your thoughts, so please comment.

Thank you for following the journey.

5 Responses to Pet Portrait of Orange Tabby Completed!

	Kim Werfel via web	32 months ago
	Hi Carol, Nice job on your pet portrait! I do lots of them and there are lots of ways to approach them, your critique was a bit hard on yourself. So what if the body is long for a vignette? And if the layers work, how many layers are too many? Only you know if he's too red, it makes him look lively. I've found the most important part of the portrait is the eyes and they're beautiful. Thanks for sharing your process. Kim

	Marge Bennett via web	32 months ago
	Thanks for sharing your journey, Carol. "Lil Red" looks like a warm and friendly cat. He is beautiful.

	Katherine Kean via web	32 months ago
	I think it's a beautiful portrait Carol. His sweetness really comes through. I had a cat once that for the longest time I considered to be, well, shall we say, less than intelligent? However, over time, he revealed himself to be quite cunning and clever. I think sometimes cats disguise their qualities.

	Carol McIntyre via web	32 months ago
	Thank you everyone for your encouraging words. Kim I will remember what you said about the eyes being key to the portrait. Katherine, there are times when Red shows signs of brilliance, but in comparison to his buddy, Red remains in the shadows and that is just fine. Our two tabby are best friends. I am writing from our cabin and my first communication from our new internet connection. Yippee!! :)

	Diane Lynch via web	31 months ago
	Carol--I am delighted to see that you are painting animals again! As you know, I still am an animal lover and moved my senior friends with me to Oregon (2 horses, 4 cats and 1 dog). When you are feeling comfortable with pet portraits, I would like to discuss you painting my heart, Bryn, my 15 year old German Shorthair Pointer. Every day she wakes up to greet me is a blessing. It would be great to have a portrait of her that will express her essence even when she is no longer on earth. Hugs, Diane

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