ENTRY #1

 I have been working on this painting for two days now.  In the past, each one has come with its own unique set of challenges and this one is no different...well I guess it IS different in that it has "double" the challenges. That's because I will be painting two doggies in this one--Phoebe and Fraser. Wendy has provided me with two photographs to work from. They are copyrighted prints so before I do anything, I will contact the photographer to get her permission to copy her work. After a lovely conversation with her on the phone, Erika Thimms has given me the go ahead.

PHOEBE AND FRASER

One of the headaches of water colour painting for me is the necessity to stretch the paper, which for some reason I have a terrible time with. I just haven't found a method that is consistently successful. That may be because I use different papers. This painting will be on Arches 300lb cold press. The new melamine board I picked up at Home Depot doesn't hold the tape I use so I am so glad I tried it out first on cheaper paper. I have reverted back to my old method and luckily, with the heavier paper, it worked.

There are not many colours in my palette for this one. I prefer to mix my colours to get grey/black as it gives more depth--that means ultramarine blue mixed with burnt sienna. The buff colour in Fraser is a mix of cascade green, sepia and verona gold. I love the colour of verona gold but it is my least favourite pigment to work with. I think it is because gum arabic is the binding medium and it tends to argue with water.

In the picture above, I have laid down my sketch so am ready to apply my first brush stroke. And after two days, here's where I am at.

The biggest challenge for me is that I can't make out details in the eyes, nose and ears. That's because there is not enough contrast in all that black that's going on with these guys. It's a hurdle, but hopefully one I can work around.

ENTRY #2

 Phoebe has been slow going. She has taken her time evolving into a true likeness. Today however, there she was. Well, except for her right eye. I knew something wasn't right and when I examined the photo closely it dawned on me that what I thought was part of her eye was actually dark fur beneath her eye. The photo on the left is the corrected one.

I was very hesitant to try to fix it, but wasn't happy with the way it was so I had no choice. And it worked. Presto. There she was! I need to step back from her now for a while. I will go back later and darken her fur and work on tiny details so in the meantime, as you can see, I have started on Fraser.

Much of my artwork hinges on faith. Often when I start a new project I am very timid and trust that the technique will reveal itself. With Fraser, I was extremely unsure of my technique. His fur texture and the way light plays on it is totally different from Phoebe. The stage I am at in this photo shows how hopeless water colour can look in the early stages of a piece. This used to discourage me immensely but if nothing else, I have learned patience. So...onward brave soldier.

FINAL ENTRY :)) AND A P.S.

As I mentioned earlier, I prefer to mix my greys/blacks rather than use them straight from the tube. In this case, with Fraser, I wanted a warmer grey than the one for Phoebe, but I fear I went too much on the warm side and it looks too brown. I will  continue to work with it though rather than change part way through.

Attempting to finesse Fraser's fur was by far the greatest challenge of the two dogs. His muzzle didn't look right until the very end when I added the individual hairs and that made all the difference. It is amazing how a single brush stroke can have such an impact. Take for example the specular reflection in the eyes. So, this is where I left off with the painting yesterday.

After consulting with my right-hand guy (his input is always very insightful) I made Fraser's nose a little larger and worked the left ear until I was finally comfortable with it. The ear was an issue because it was partially cut off in the reference photo.

After a couple of minor changes and fussing, I stepped away for a bit and upon returning I was able to say with confidence that I have completed "painting Phoebe and Fraser". 

~CN

P.S. - Something was niggling at me about Phoebe. I looked at her again last night and as much as I didn't want to start fussing, I knew for sure that the darks needed another layer. In the process I also shaded some of the whites. I gave her right eye a little more depth and tweeked some of the white hairs there. I am much happier with the result. and now I can say with confidence that i have finished "painting Phoebe and Fraser".  Here is the final painting.