Ruby the Aussie

I happen to have a soft spot for Rubies. Furry Rubies! The jeweled ones are cool too. This Ruby is man's best friend and an old friend's request. Andrea contacted me about doing a portrait of her father's dog as a Father's Day gift. He was going to be in town for the week before Father's Day and wanted to gift it to him before he went home.

This Ruby even has similar eyebrow markings to my Ruby. 

 
I took creative liberty and moved her face slightly forward and opened her eyes a little more. In the picture she is tired, panting a little, and squinting. She must have had a good run in the sunshine.

I define edges first to mark where I need to go darker then fill in around those areas. 

My Ruby helps with portraits sometimes. She wanted to be my number one Ruby for a few minutes when I was working. Who can say no to those eyes?!

I used the blades of grass to anchor Ruby-no floating limbs here. I did not fill in the rest of the ground because negative space keeps the focus on the facial features and not on the background. When the background is divided into ground and sky details tend to be less significant to the eye. The eye naturally pulls to a vanishing point or the horizon line.

What my work day hustle looks like. A couple in progress portraits, planner, receipts, pens and pencils everywhere, and a baby monitor during nap time. 

Dot dot dot dot dot.

Ink is applied in layers. I use a 5 point for initial color and then use a 2 point and 8 point to "fill in" and add another layer. You can always go darker, but not lighter, so it is best to take it slow and steady. 

"Ruby" 11x14 Original Ink Stippling Portrait

Detail-I love the subtle light and motion of the ear in particular. 

Andrea came to pick up the portrait at my house. Her Dad happened to be in the car. So she walks out to the car with it behind her back and then gives it to him right there in my driveway. I shamelessly watched for reaction from the window. He loved it. He did the wow nod, the looking at the details stare, and the smile spread on his face. I don't always get to see reactions so I was on cloud 9. It was a good Father's Day for him.