Well - I decided to try animals again. Once, in the beginning of my watercolor painting career which began almost 3 years ago, I tried to paint a pet dog. It was hysterical. It didn't look like a dog - it was part dinosaur. I repeatedly tried to get it right, paint it as a hint in the background, erase, retry and finally giving up, I thought, "Well, you can't paint animals!".
I think I tried a distant cow in a field once and that didn't look right. I painted a friend's dog that seemed to look like a cartoon. Didn't match the surrounding painting. It was maddening. So, when I told Janet I think I am going to paint this hairy (Highland) cow picture that Kate took in Scotland this summer, she rightly responded that animals are too hard. But, stubborn as I can be, I said I am giving it a try.
Well, this time, (perhaps because I don't know the cow?) it actually looked like the animal in question! I am not sure how that happened - whether I have grown as a painter or whether it is such a unique animal that anyone can tell what it is? But regardless, I like my cow. I named her Tess. Kate went ATV four-wheeling on a little tour while in the Scottish Highlands this summer, and in a clearing she came upon Tess. The photo actually has her handlebars in it, but I decided to concentrate on getting that mop right - and not adding any more complications!
Getting cocky after painting an animal that was so well-received, I thought, maybe now is the time to try to paint Joni. Joni was 'my girl'. A beautiful mutt who was a great companion/rescue for many years and who suddenly died this summer. So I spent a long while searching for a photo of Joni that had some interesting background, and give it a try. My goal was to make her recognizable; not just look like a dog. hah! Wait til I try people!
There's the photo I decided to paint, and the draft of the painting so far. I'm going back in to work on it later today, but while I know it is her, I'm not satisfied with where it is so far. Still has a cartoon aspect to her; I need to adjust the perspective or something! Stay tuned and feedback is always welcomed.
- Lauren