After painting a study of Maud Earl’s American Pointer, I felt confident to tiptoe in the world of pet portraits. I suppose I had to because my mom told me that Sebastian was feeling a little jealous that I was painting other dogs. Then, of course, the kitties also felt a little miffed that I was painting dogs and not their beautiful fluffy faces. I had no idea painting would get me in such hot water.
In all seriousness, I’ve wanted to paint our animals for a while and I have taken so many pictures of them that I thought would make good paintings. But there are so many elements of pet portraits that I find intimidating. First of all, there is all of the fur, hair, and whiskers. The coloring can be a challenge to capture as well since there can be so many colors mixed together, as in calico and tabby. Not to mention the animals that are almost all black or all white! There are also so many different breeds that have different features. And, of course, each animal has their own personality, and capturing that is key to successful pet portraits.
I felt like I was ready to give it a try, though, and I started with Sebastian since he’s so sensitive.
He was a challenge, but I felt like I captured him, his expressive brown eyes, his unkept wiry fur, and his brindle coloring.
Okay, okay…pet portraits are off to a pretty good start.
So, I started on the kitties…
I spent a lot of time on their sketches to make sure I had all of the details of their markings right.
I love how Miss Esmé turned out. When Jeff saw her he said, “I don’t see that much orange in her.” I told him that’s the beauty of art. That might not be what he saw, but that is what I saw. I saw her colors exaggerated as the sun landed on them. It’s my interpretation of her. If I want it to look like a photo, I can just take a picture and frame that. But I don’t. I want it to look like a painting and not just any painting, but like my painting.
I rounded out my pet portraits painting experiment with Violet. I told my mother-in-law to tell her that I had to paint her last because she was is pretty, so Violet wouldn’t yell at me when I see her next. Violet can be very demanding. But, she was napping in North Carolina and was unbothered by what was happening in Minnesota.
I love how Violet turned out. I had a great picture of her sitting on the back of our sofa and with the sun hitting her fur in just the right way.
I used a porcupine quill to scratch out the very fine hairs and whiskers.
I still have more work to do, but I am enjoying the pet portraits. I am practicing on the pets of some of my Instagram followers and we’ll see how those go. I know it won’t be something I would want to do full-time, but it’s fun to dabble in something new. You should know by now that I am a dabbler!
The great thing about painting is that I can do it just about anywhere. While we’re waiting to find our next landing spot, I can bring my easel and paints along and keep dabbling, learning, and growing. (You can read about more of my artistic endeavors HERE.)
44 Responses
All of your paintings pull and tug on me, drawing me in and sparking a story in my mind. I have a love for black dogs and your painting of Sebastian opened every cell in my body to it’s warmth, serenity, and curiosity. I was instantly drawn to his eyes, the brow of interest and his gaze into a story only he can tell. The contentment of his pose and the movement of his fur are so captivating. Do more…and keep seeing with the eye of an artist!
These paintings are fantastic! I have always enjoyed your landscapes, but I feel these pet portraits are some of your best…you really captured the eyes and coloring so very well…..I can’t wait to see more! 🙂
Oh, you have truly captured them in a delightful way. I love Miss Esme’s pert little nose and the softness of all that fur. So sweet.
When my daughter’s Calico, Lily, died unexpectedly I wanted to honor her. Lily had had a rough life before she met my daughter at a truck stop on a rainy night in Virginia. She (the cat, not my daughter!) was hanging around the truck stop for days…so when my daughter heard that she had to take the cat home. They were together for about 10 years and Lily was the sweetest cat. I painted in watercolors my first pet portrait of sweet Lily and my daughter loved it. It was challenging to capture the spirit of the animal but I think I was successful.
Love them…
Love your pets by the way…
Love seeing the cats.
You may have found your calling, Also glad you know what you and your paintings are about and how to express it. You are capturing the spirit of the animals.
I lost Ruffles, my lhasa this year. Wishing I could capture her. She was remarkable.
I have only been following you for a couple of years. But I have to say these are some of my favorites. I like how you caught the light and expression in their eyes. Well done
These are absolutely stunning. Frame worthy, for sure.
Love the animal portraits! They are all beautiful. I’ve considered painting my small all black dog, Scruffy. Since I’m not an artist, I was thinking Scruffy at night or maybe in a dark cave. You know all black. Or maybe with just his teeth showing, like the Cheshire Cat. I know, I’m being silly, but there it is. Hope you have safe travels!
Wow … you have definately developed your God given talent to heights I wasn’t expecting!!
Well DONE!!
Pets do you proud Marian.
Being a huge dog person, Sebastian’s portrait is my favorite!!! It is beautiful!!! Of course, I don’t know your pets but I believe you’ve captured their spirit and their souls in these paintings. They’re all really great. How you do it all, always amazes me!!! I think for sure you can add, “pet portraits” to your call list. Your talents actually brings a tear to my eye…it is seeing the Blessings of the Lord bestowed onto one.
Sebastian looks so regal. I think he could be Best in Show. You are truly amazing.
Karen B.
I certainly hope you can see that you’ve mastered your intimidation because these are absolutely gorgeous! I mean really beautiful! I would be proud to display any or all of these. Great job!
Is there nothing you can do!?! Everything you touch is beautiful. Your blog is like a daily Christmas present. Thank you!
Beautiful, but I am such a dog person. I have wanted to get my boxer “Charlie” portrait done. Such wonderful work, as other people have said, Marian you are truly gifted.
They are all amazing. The one of Sebastián really touches me. I wish I had your talent. I have wanted a painting of our dog that passed last July. So wonderful.
You are so incredibly talented and I think your pet portraits are the absolute best paintings you’ve ever done. They are truly stunning! Continued prayers for healing of your foot and ribs, and for you and your family in this time of waiting.
You have some truly awesome God-given talents, thanks for sharing.
Absolutely gorgeous paintings of your beautiful pets!❤️❤️❤️
Your talent is incredible.
You are so talented. These pet portraits take my breath away. Just beautiful.
Dear Marian,
Honestly, even though I’ve never seen you do a bad job of anything, these pet portraits have got to be my favorite thing ever! ? I can feel the soft fur, see the contentment in their eyes, and feel your love of each of them. You have once again surpassed yourself! If you are required to have an enforced rest time, this new hobby couldn’t have come at a better time. Keep them coming as you heal.
Adore Sebastians portrait. Better than photos, such warmth and love ,oh and the cats are beautiful too, but Sebastian makes me just want to cuddle up with him.
Marian, your versatility is showing!
Marian,
Your portraits are beautiful, you captured each dog and cat .
Your painting skills are exceptional!!!!!!! Your drawings look so real. A GOD Given talent for sure…
Wonderful paintings and wonderful sketches! Your work is so beautiful!
These are so good! I think you really captured their personalities really well. The details for the fur and whiskers are executed nicely. What a fun project!
Sebastian approves of his portrait. :). He particularly loves that you painted him first before Esme and Violet :).
Oma
So wonderful, I love how expressive they are especially Violet. Thank you for sharing . Iam taking your still life class and you are an exceptional teacher.
So well done! I would think portraiture is difficult, especially pets, but you have captured their essence just right.
Can’t wait to see more.
I noticed your easel.
Can you tell me who the manufacturer is?
Thank you
What precious paintings of you sweet pets. You did a remarkable job on each one. Can’t wait to hear what the pets say about them when they first see them. ?
Amazing talent. I saw something on TV yesterday that my be something that would interest you down the road, This woman had a painting class of painted pets. What you did was send her a picture of your pet. She would outline the pets on canvases and at the class you paint your pet. I thought it was brilliant and the ladies did a good job.
I have been following your blog for a long time now and I so look forward to it! All of your paintings are wonderful and these pet paintings are the best!
You are an incredible artist and so realistic in your paintings. I love your style. Thank You for sharing your talents.
just beautiful!
These paintings are fantastic! I know that there have been a lot of dog portraits and dogs in painted scenes done throughout history, but I can’t say that I’ve seen too many cat portraits. Cats are every bit as beautiful as subjects!
Marian these are truly beautiful. Your work is so inspiring.
Love your pet paintings! Especially since I love Calicos. & cats!!
I love your new endeavor into pet portraits! Such expression and inspired details – the lighting, the fur coloring – these works are my favorite and I find them so inspiring. I hope you create a class to teach the rest of us how to create our own works of art 🙂 Thanks for all you do.
Your pet portraits are amazing!
You are a true talent!!!
Stunning!
Your paintings are beautiful! Very talented.
Girl!!! YOU are an artist!! The eyes tell that. I always wonder how someone learns that technique and you have perfected it!! Love them all so much.
I have followed you from your first blog posts to now, and have been so impressed with your growth as an artist. Your talent always shined through, but now your paintings convey the emotion of a master.
I have to agree with several of your followers that your pet portraits are truly your finest work. Perhaps it reflects your love of the subjects?
I will enjoy watching you transform your families new house to another beautiful and functional home. But its how you’re handling the “interim” time that I’m learning from now. In a few years I retire, there will be a year where we will be building our house on family land I grew up on. Our airstream will be our temporary home. What to keep out and what to store is a worry. Though our barn will hold all our boxes and furniture, pulling things out randomly would be a mess! I’m sure I will refer to these posts to get inspiration! Thank you for sharing this journey, and your amazing talent!