2024 Trekell Pet Portrait Competition - Second entry

 This is my final entry for the 2024 Trekell Pet Portrait Competition.  I painted my late Boston Terrier, Sissy, chasing a butterfly among the wildflowers.  I have many photos of her trying to catch flying insects and she looked as though she were dancing.

 

Two painterly pet portraits

 Here are two separate commissioned pieces I finished in the last month.  The adorable little chicken is Blanche and her portrait is the fourth in my painterly chicken portrait series which I have now posted HERE.  Bandit the Husky's portrait was a birthday gift for his owner.  Both are done in acrylics on cotton paper.

 

Rough Collie painterly portrait

This is Rudy, a gorgeous tricolor Rough Collie I painted in acrylics on a small wooden panel.  This was my second and last entry for the 2023 Trekell Art Supplies Pet Portrait Competition.  I have to give credit to Rudy's owner who suggested I paint the background purple - I think it goes so well with the orange in Rudy's fur.

Portrait of Dorie on wood panel

I just finished this acrylic painting of my Boston Terrier, Dorie, for Trekell Art Supplies's 2023 Pet Portrait Competition.  The competition requires artists to use a special shaped birch panel as the support.  This was my first time painting on an artist-quality wooden panel and I absolutely loved it.  Blending was easier than on canvas and I felt I had more control over the paint.  Why hadn't I tried it sooner?!

 

Painterly portrait of Luna

I'm back!  I have been busy with several projects and I am just now getting around to posting this piece I painted back in 2022.  In February 2022 I painted a painterly portrait of my Boston Terrier, Dorie, and I decided to paint a matching portrait of my other dog, Luna, to hang with it.

I captured Luna in her signature resting position, with her paws crossed and ears up and alert.

Painterly portrait of Doe

  I just completed this 8" X 8" acrylic portrait of Doe, a rescue dog who sadly passed away recently.  I was given only a few less-than-ideal reference photos to work from, but there was just enough detail in them for me to be able to capture Doe's smile.

Portrait of Boomer the Bernese Mountain Dog

 Boomer's portrait is finished!

Boomer's portrait update

 The painting of Boomer the Bernese is coming along!  All that's left to do is paint in the details on his face and a few touch-ups here and there.

First stage of Boomer's portrait

 This is Boomer, a sweet Bernese Mountain Dog who is sadly no longer with us.  I was asked to paint Boomer's portrait for his human family who misses him so much.

I am finished with the block-in stage and have already begun adding details.

Painterly portrait of Dorie

This painterly portrait of my Boston Terrier, Dorie, is painted in acrylics.  My sketchbook wasn't big enough for this study so I reused an 8" X 10" watercolor canvas board.

I plan to do a larger painting of Dorie in the future, but I haven't gotten a suitable reference photo yet (Bostons don't like being photographed!).  Until then I'll be practicing with small studies.

Painterly portrait of McKinley

My latest pet portrait is of a much-loved spaniel named McKinley. Her portrait is done in a painterly style on a deep stretched canvas. It was commissioned as a gift for McKinley's owners.

From the Sketchbook - Acrylic studies of my dogs

I got out a new mixed media sketchbook for these small acrylic studies. I was inspired by artist James Gurney who paints amazing sketches in gouache and watercolor (from life, which I struggle with, so I used reference photos).

The first painting is of my Boston Terrier, Dorie, warming up in the sun on a cold winter's day. The second (with my hand for scale) is of my rescue mutt, Luna, running with her frisbee in her mouth.

Portrait of Scooter

 Scooter's portrait is finished! The reference photo I worked from for this painting was fantastic. I just love the angle and Scooter's pose. This was a fun one to paint, especially glazing the warm browns on top of his fur.

Scooter's portrait update

I'm just about finished with the soft, out-of-focus areas, and now I'm starting to add the finer details to Scooter's face.

 

First stage of Scooter's portrait

New commissioned painting in progress! This unique little mixed-breed dog is Scooter. His portrait is being painted on a 20" X 16" canvas panel. The block-in is done and I'll start adding details to the background next.

Portrait of Henry the Dachshund

 Here is Henry's portrait all finished! This kind of portrait with the very shallow depth of field was new for me. I enjoyed learning how to paint soft edges with acrylics.

First stages of Henry's portrait

Here are the block-in stages of another commissioned 16" X 20" acrylic painting. This is Henry the Dachshund. He is Stella's buddy (the dog I painted earlier).

Portrait of Stella

  Stella's portrait is finished and ready for varnish!

Progress photos of the next portrait coming soon!

Stella's portrait update

I'm working on painting all the little details now and continuing to tweak the background as I go.

First stages of Stella's portrait

 I am nearly 10 hours into this large commissioned portrait of a pretty brindle mixed-breed dog named Stella. Almost everything is blocked in now and I've even started adding some fine details.

This is one of a set of two 16" X 20" paintings for Stella's owner. I couldn't have asked for better reference photographs for these pieces.