I just checked the date of my last post. Time for an update here. Things are hopping at the Caldwell household, although not so much related to the painting end of things. I'm taking two college courses this fall, and things at the day job are picking up speed (not to mention the empty nest is temporarily re-occupied, and my parents have been needing some extra help these days). I did recently complete two pet commissions, and I really love (yes, really!) how both of them turned out.
Fluffy, furry dogs are a lot of fun to paint. That crazy hair lends itself well to the texture of the paint. The fabric on the bed was an interesting challenge. At first the pattern was much too detailed, and the whole painting felt busy and crowded. So I smeared the pattern with the palette knife and went back in with fewer details. This resulted in layers and layers of color, which is what I particularly love about this painting.
Turk is no longer with us. He passed away about two years ago at the good old age of 18. He was a dear, dear friend to his mama for many years.
Pugs are amazingly expressive dogs with those big watery eyes and deep folds in the brow. I may just need to have myself my own little Pug some day.
This painting went through some pretty dramatic color revisions as I went along. The background was blue, and it felt very cold. I like the way the terracotta red warmed everything up. Also, fading out her body at the edges did wonders for bringing her face forward and making her body feel smaller. Before I did that, her body felt like it was on the same plane as her face, and she looked too bulky (Pearl is a tiny girl!)
Next, I see some landscapes in my future. I know... I'm all over the place. I was going to try to stick to a subject and really explore it. But I'm enjoying the freedom of painting whatever I feel like at the moment. And right now, I feel a landscape.
Posted in Random. Updated 09/03/2011.
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