Morris’ background is a really rich, beautiful and leathery chocolate brown color. He just kind of “gave” me this color. Let me try to explain how that works, because to me – the background color is just as much a part of the portrait as the subject itself. It is an extension, a mood. Color conveys feeling, and each pet says something different to me. They’re all individuals, so they deserve more than a standard blanket background color that matches the sofa.

Sometimes, the background color just comes to me while I’m looking at the photos I’ve been given to work from. His reference photo is a bit blurry and small, pixelated with a lot of flash. But even though the reference might be bad, the only thing I really need to see his his personality coming through in the photos. Knowing the anatomy of a cat is extra helpful, and I think since I’ve painted so many cat portraits – the anatomy is embedded in my mind now. With Morris, though, it was the personality that I saw that led me to mix this color for his portrait.

I just felt it, and that’s what I love most about what I do.

Simba doesn’t have much background since it’s a really nice & big macro of his kitty face, so the shot is more of a side view to show how the color wraps around the canvas edge. I chose this color because when looking at his photo, I was immediately drawn to this really cool shade of lime in the reflection of his eyes. Since he’s an orange tabby and he’s just got a hint of the lime in his eyes, it will really make him pop and give the portrait loads of dimension.

Boo and Kiwi’s background are done, they’re a nice grape purple with a deep violet shadow. Green and purple are M’s favorite colors (my client’s daughter), so they’ll be really cool portraits since those will be the primary colors.

I may add more to the background once the birds have been painted, to give them a bit more of a pop art feel. Realism in the foreground against a funky pop art background would be perfect for a teen bird lover, I think!

I chose a really beautiful royal blue gradient for Badger’s portrait. She’s a silver husky with brilliant icy blue eyes so this shade of blue in the background will just make her come alive on the canvas. When the background dries, I’ll work in her underpainting.

Many, many portrait sketches = lots and lots of art to create this week!

Here’s what’s on my easel:

Badger is a certified therapy dog, she is allllways happy. I love that she’s smiling for her portrait. This will be an 8×8 oil portrait.

This is Morris, an orange tabby who recently crossed over the rainbow bridge.  He’ll also be done in oils, on a 6×6 canvas.

I’ve painted Callie before, but this portrait of her will have much more meaning since it is in loving memory.  Another 6×6 oil portrait.

Simba is a stunning orange tabby. Also in oil on 6×6 chunky wrapped canvas.

 

This yellow-sided green cheeked conure is Kiwi, she’s also having a 6×6 oil portrait. Kiwi and Boo (below) belong to Lisa’s daughter – these are a birthday surprise. So ssssh.

Boo was a beautiful parrotlet that passed away, her portrait pairs with Kiwi’s in 6×6.

This pose of Claire is just gorgeous, big curls falling down into her face – this is the line drawing for a 4×6 graphite drawing that All Adither won in January for giving me the bestest birthday wish.

Custom Portrait of Emily
8? x 10? Oil Painting
Canvas Panel
© 2008 Leanne Wildermuth
All Rights ReservedPortfolio View

I’ve added a detail shot of Emily’s face below, so keep on reading. For anyone interested in having your own custom portrait done, you can view my custom portrait packages here in my shop. You can quick-order by selecting a size and checking out through Paypal right here.

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I’ve completed Emily’s portrait and it’s out for proofing, so there may (or may not) be minor tweaking going on – but overall this portrait is complete and back under the fan. I have to say – painting white poodle fur is very interesting. Especially getting the shadows of the fur just so, there’s a little depth but not too much – the fine wisps of fur on her tail and ears – the grass coming up around her, a very enjoyable painting to work. I’ll post the final scan and painting details once she’s dry.

I’ve completed Emily’s underpainting today – the shadow of her white fur is basically what you’re looking at. I also roughed in her eyes, nose and mouth. They will be further enhanced with the next layer of paint. I’ll set the fan on her tonight so that I can speed up dry time and if all goes well, I’ll finish her portrait tomorrow.

Custom Portrait of Lacy
8? x 10? Oil Painting
Canvas Panel
© 2008 Leanne Wildermuth
All Rights ReservedPortfolio View

I’ve added a few zoomed-in detail shots of the completed portrait below, so keep on reading. Also, a few of you have contacted me about having your own custom portrait done, and I’ve made up some custom portrait packages in my shop to make the ordering process easier. You can have a look at the available sizes here.

Keep reading »