Gus

Oh our Gus Gus. This dog was adopted shortly after Jackie was born. He has been part of her life and is her buddy. He has slobbered on my dress pants more times than I can count but a goofy love that greets us happily at the door when we visit Grandma and Grampy Tomaino.

This was one of my fastest sketches yet. It helps that I have seen this mug as often as my own dogs. 

I decided to keep the diamond flooring instead of my usual color wash. It gave the piece some style. 

Scribble Scribble. Blend Blend. 

I work on the area around the eyes first to keep the face proportions on point and it tends to be less creepy. Often the eye areas require the most time in the oil base phase and the abuse of my pinky finger. 

The nose! A lot of layering and "lifting" of pigment with a kneaded eraser. I went in with pencil to further define and blend the tones. 

"The Clutch" All pencils gripped in my fist to not lose momentum. 

Progress shot.

Oil Base down. 

Eye's got pencil detail and the edges started to come out for the rest of the face. 

Pencil also helps deepen shadows. Purple and brown work well together. In this case I added just a smidge of black and cobalt in the ear. The flooring was originally black and grey but I changed it to blue to better pop the copper tones of his coat. 

"Gus" 11x14 Oil Pastel and Color Pencil Original 

Detail Shot. His eyes here. Sweet boy. 

Detail of the face.

Detail shot! He is so handsome. 

Gus was trying to ignore my efforts at getting a picture with him and the art work. I love seeing my subjects with the finished piece. It is the cherry on top! Good boy, Gus. 

Sniff

Every once in awhile I get to do portraits of pets I know on a personal level. My Father-in-Law commissioned a few portraits this year. The first one is of Sniff. Sniff was a cat that has been on the scene since Tim and I met. This cat played favorites and Jeremy was his. Jeremy is Tim's next youngest brother. Sniff passed away not too long ago. This was an "In Memory Of" portrait and they tend to hold a place in my heart. I knew right away that this gift would hold a lot of meaning and would be unexpected.

This is Sniff with Gus and my reference picture. Sniff had some tiger markings and a variety of grays and browns in his undercoat-which would be my challenge.

The sketch was particularly rough because of the long fur. As I started adding oil pastel I realized I would have to get color pencil in the mix sooner than I usually do. Black pigment tends to transfer easily and pencil keeps it in line. (As well as watching where I put my hand!)

First place I added the pencil was around the eyes. I would fill in with grey gradually as I moved around his face. Micro lines also helped define the fur of his chest. 

The oil pastel base and view of my drawing desk. 

"Sniff" 11x14 Oil Pastel and Color Pencil 

Details Details Details

I normally don't frame my work. I leave it up to the customer becuase there is no way for me to know their home decor. I recommend plane black frames without a matting. Matting tends to take away from the vivid colors I use. Some photos the blue tones I used in the background really popped and others the purple did. An indigo blend is one of my new favorites to use. 

Messages like that give me that glow. I am so honored and happy that I get to illustrate such wonderful souls. My Brother-in-Law is a mental health counselor. In some ways the portraits bring about a need for closure my customers didn't know they had or helps them grieve while simultaneously celebrating the life of their pet in art. It is a special thing. 

Stay tuned for Gus. (The Bulldog in the reference photo.)