Dog Donut~ Cuddling with Rocky
Rocky is a whippet terrier mix. He didn't sell at the breeder's so he was put into a shelter with many other dogs.
Zoe was looking for an animal friend, a companion and helper. She looked at petfinder.com and saw Rocky's picture! Instantly Zoe knew Rocky was the one for her! When they met, they felt and instant bond of love.
"Instant Recognition!"
Later, when I met Rocky, I was stunned. "I know you," I said out loud....I noticed Rocky had one blue eye and one brown eye, "You remind me of my Collie, Sky. Rocky and Sky, are blue merle color and both are very silver in hue...shimmering! Blue merle is a tricky color to breed, a white factor may be introduced to make the merle color "stand out" and be a very clear silver, not muddy or dull.
And so it came to be that I would paint Rocky's portrait....
I sketched and sketched....nothing appeared that looked like Rocky at all....I pictured him....zero inspiration came in. Then, one night at 2 AM, yes I was still up that night, imagined Rocky's face and got out my sketch pad and he "came right out!" Imagine...I could even picture the completed painting in full living color and close detail. I settled into a happy sleep...."vision to achievement…." Backgrounds and placement of colors and shades danced in my imagination.
Choosing the canvas was easy, a small and portable size of 8" X 10". How am I going to do it? I have never painted a portrait that small? I can do it! A head and shoulders....of course. A bit of pink appears, Rocky's favorite blanket.
I stopped and watched a show about Whippets on Dogs 101, Animal Planet and studied the whippet face and eyes and ears. That show helped me to set the stage for Rocky's expression! The whippets pictured also sported blue merle patches and cuddled under blankets. Very active alert dogs, yet they can also be quiet and resting and bonding with their owners, "Just like Rocky."
I chose the background, soft lavenders and lilacs with a luminous pink blanket to add light and shadow. Once I stepped back....surprise! The "Z," Zoe's initial, had painted itself into the background along with the triangles and V shapes.
What next? I gathered up my courage and began, carefully painting Rocky's ears, so soft and silky, with a tiny chisel shaped brush, for thick and thin lines and textures. Next the eyes, deep and soulful, a tiny brush for this. The nose and hint of a smile on the mouth emerged.
All Eyes and Ears:
Details of the white coat with merle patch were added with a blend of four colors. Top of head and face with contours came later. White and black blends formed the facial merle patches. Depth appeared slowly and carefully on the head. I used Q Tips cotton swabs for the "silver" look on the tiny hairs on the top of Rocky's head. The silver "shine" appeared as bits of light caught on the grain of the canvas. Even a tiny brush would have dulled the effect. Tan points for eyebrows and sides of cheeks completed the picture!
Stopping between each step to pause for reflection and corrections. Whispers of Whiskers, * "Always put whiskers on last." And then:
There he is! Living Art~
"As if by Magic"
"Imagine!"
Blogger Search Key Words: dogs, painting, animal painting
Related Posts:
Once and Forever
Absolute Magic
Stars and Snow, Spirit of Poebe
Resources:
Walter Foster Art Series: Drawing and Painting Animals, Horses, Dogs, Cats
petfinder.com, your next best friend
Dogs 102 and Cats 101, Animal Planet, learn about breeds, Too Cute, Kitten and puppy stories, coming of age, relaxing, informative.
Music:
Rain by the Beatles, song of the day
Ben Cooper, Radical Face, Roots, Leaves, Branches
Dahlis Roy: Visionary Artist, Author, and Tai Chi Instructor
Photos by Dahlis:
Zoe Holds Rocky, Dog Donut
Sketches and Backgrounds
All Eyes and Ears
Rocky's Portrait!
