ANNIE'S PORTRAIT - A CHRISTMAS GIFT

Miss Annie, ready for her Christmas debut.

Fairly detailed sketch for the client's approval

Annie as a puppy. My client sent me many photos from which to work. This was one of them, and I couldn't resist drawing her - such a happy face!

I had first masked Annie, to be able to have the freedom to paint several soft, wet-in-wet washes. When done and dried, I just masked a few spots that I didn't want black. I worked on an extra-large format so I'd be able to trim edges if the pigment did not take well at the perimeter.

Several glazes to achieve the depth of black of her body, with some lifting to regain highlights.

I carefully painted several hard- and soft-edged glazes on her face.

Almost done. To finish, I added some shadow to her collar and white chest ruff.

This is another portrait I did several years ago for my client.

...also for my friend

I wasn't sure how the first attempt would turn out so I prepped and started a second painting.  I had noticed the paper had some strange mottling at the edges, and was unsure how it would take a lot of w/w and multiple washes. I have since discovered that watercolour paper gets "old", and sometimes develops mold, which affects how it accepts pigment. I had a stockpile of Arches, but hadn't been doing much painting, so I suppose it was showing its age with some sheets.

Thank you all for dropping by! If you have any questions about commissioning a painting, or how I create the work, please write me a note.