Current dog finished

The final painting.There were 2 intermediate stages after the last post on this work (the number of intermediate stages can vary depending on many things).
But the painting is now dry, packed, and on it's way as I write this post (hoping it will arrive in time for Christmas!)

Current dog

This is the under painting stage for a new portrait. I leave the work at this stage for a while and contemplate. It's the best way for me to see any mistakes and make any adjustments before the later stages of the painting. Major changes in the final stages can be (and almost always are!) a huge nightmare. I have been known to start a whole new painting from scratch when problems aren't obvious early on, for me this is actually easier, but of course it takes more time. 
This handsome German Shepherd was an Agility champion. Agility training with his family was his passion. A lovely dog (but not quite captures here yet). The portrait is 30 x 40 cm oil on canvas.

Progress of a painted portrait. Stage 4 the final work.

Here is the finished portrait (and the original reference image). The picture was taken in quite strong sunlight, which creates some dark shadows and can sometimes compromise detail. With dark coloured dogs especially, their eyes get lost in the shadows. I hate that! Here, I lightened off some of the heavier shadows so you are drawn to the character and the dog's face, not the harsh lighting. Your eyes can focus those lovely ears and that face, resulting in a more intimate portrait. Something a painting has over photography!

This gorgeous man was a 6 year old Bull Arab. I didn't have the chance to meet him but he stood tall and proud, with a great stance (to me he looked like he could be a Show Dog with such perfect posture) and he was very very fit. His family say he was a perfect gentleman, very gentle and loyal. He was a working dog which was the way he died (doing something he loved). Rip dear Mojo

Progress of a painted portrait. Stage 3

The portrait is starting to take shape now (we're on the home run!). This is where the background develops. I like to keep that simple, just enough to set an atmosphere but not to detract from the subject in any way.
Click on image for a larger view.

Progress of a painted portrait. Stage 2

This is the second stage of the painting below. I like this part because the colours are greatly exaggerated here, giving a stronger and clearer final result with more depth. This part of the underpainting is a great time to play around with colour and light while refining shapes.
Click on image for a larger view. 

Progress of a painted portrait. Stage 1

I used to photograph every stage of each painting back in 2006 when I began painting pet portraits. For two reasons, to check my work and to keep a record. But as I got busier, that became too time consuming and tedious, so now I usually take only one picture towards the end of the work. I don't show works in progress to clients (some artists do, and even ask for client input), but this is a special case. The last time I posted a work in progress was one year ago (February 2011 post).

This is 30.5 x 40.5cm, a nice size for a portrait. The first stage is a light tonal wash for subject placement and to work out the basic lighting and shadow areas. Draftsmanship is critical here because I have found I can save a lot of time if I get this right! This is actually my second go at this one. There's something, you can feel it, if a work isn't going right. I can't explain that but it's better to start again (for me anyway)rather than persevere with something that isn't working. I hope you come back in a week or two to see the next stage!
Click on image for larger view.

Progress of a painting: Part II

The final stage & finished portrait. And the original photograph

The last post shows how I start a painting. I'm not saying it's the best way, it's just how I like to work. I don't draw first because for me, the painting develops in a more convincing way when I go straight into painting. In stage 4 here, I fixed the squashed head look I ended up with in stage 3. Then, when the proportions were as good as I could get, I concentrated on fur detail (I love painting fur!), lighting and the background. Some paintings are quicker, but some can take 6 or more stages, depending on the size of the work and it's complexity. That's it. Three and a half months work in a nutshell! 
See the finished painting here.

Progress of a painting: Part I

The first three stages of a portrait

This is Bluey. In the early days I used to photograph my paintings at the end of each painting session. While waiting for the paint layers to dry, I had plenty of time to contemplate how I was going to proceed with the next stage. You can see that I wasn't happy with stage 2, by the way I changed his head shape in stage 3. Sometimes, when you are looking hard and long at a subject, it's funny how you don't see things at all!   See the finished painting here.