Otto Bear

Otto also referred to lovingly as "Bear" was an additional Fall project brought to completion in time for Christmas. My fellow Underwriter work buddy, Sarah, commissioned me for a portrait of her Pit Bull, Otto. Otto is special. He is a three legged wonder dog with boundless energy and has this understanding and loving spirit. His gaze got to me immediately. Such a comfort he brings. His Mama tells me he is loyal and a people person-all house guests are there to see him and only him. He is an "old man puppy." He will be 8 years old on New Year's Eve but you would never know it.

Sarah sent me some reference photos. I ended up combining elements for a more dynamic composition. I took the bandanna's details from one photo to use as a "frame" for the other pose. 

 

I had the vision and sketched him out fairly quickly. 

The key to ink is to start light. The lines must be defined either by follow the sketched lines literally or to define them using shadows and highlight placement. 

 When there are geometric elements you can afford to go dark right away. The space around the paisleys on the bandanna was the first place I went to.

The background is a single layer curtain of dots. It does not compete with the subject. The brindle of his coat was challenging on this piece. There was a risk to go too dark. 

I spent many  of my "second shift" nights, 15 minute stints, lunch breaks, and middle of the night restless energy on this piece. Being that it is ink my supplies are easy to transport. I have taken pictures of the piece periodically to share the progress of time and effort. 

The longest part of the piece is between the full base and finishing layer. The finising hours are targeting areas to go darker. The shadows in ears, the definition of reflection in the eyes, and the addition of whiskers. 

The finished work:

Detail Shots:

One of my favorite things is to see finished portraits next to the subjects in real life. Otto approved!