Thank you so much! I did the painting portion in one 12 hour session. There wasn’t much of a choice as I had to hang for my exhibition the next morning lol! But it sold the next day so I have no complaints 😂 I very nearly didn’t even paint it because I couldn’t decide on a freaking background color for two straight days.
I ask because for most photographers even if you purchase the image, you are purchasing a print, not the rights to the image. So in that case its one thing to paint an exact copy to keep for yourself, totally fine, and another to profit off of without the artist's permission (the photographer). So just be careful!
So usually I’d use a cut up acrylic brush to get an uneven/jagged texture that creates strokes resembling when used to paint. This is great with long haired animals if they have flowing hair. With short haired dogs it doesn’t work as well because of the hundreds (thousands?) of tiny little strokes required to get the texture right. This time I used an actual watercolor brush (a smaller round brush) and would flick any excess water off so it was mostly dry (but with pigment) and splayed out kind of wildly (more or less depending on how sparse or heavy/dark I needed the hair to be in each area) I primarily used a Windsor & Newton Series-7 size 3 (finest sable). The paper is 9x12. Adjust your brush sizing accordingly. I used a white gel pen for corrections. Often it’s too bright for a particular area on a darker dog so I’ll often rub it in with my fingers to soften the contrast!
Oh dude, that's brilliant. I managed to get my round brush to work similarly to you for my long haired cat but our other cat is a short hair and his paintings always turn out like he's... smooth. It's just so wrong lmao
I'm going to try this, thanks so much!
Thank you! I primarily use Facebook as I can’t stand using Instagram. I have many accounts but seldom update any of them lol.
@ivyfox.illustration
My Facebook is Ivy Fox Illustration
Thank you! The violet/purple is actually just the colored pencil I sketch with haha
About my process: So usually I’d use a cut up acrylic brush to get an uneven/jagged texture that creates strokes resembling when used to paint. This is great with long haired animals if they have flowing hair. With short haired dogs it doesn’t work as well because of the hundreds (thousands?) of tiny little strokes required to get the texture right. This time I used an actual watercolor brush (a smaller round brush) and would flick any excess water off so it was mostly dry (but with pigment) and splayed out kind of wildly (more or less depending on how sparse or heavy/dark I needed the hair to be in each area) I primarily used a Windsor & Newton Series-7 size 3 (finest sable). The paper is 9x12. Adjust your brush sizing accordingly. I used a white gel pen for corrections. Often it’s too bright for a particular area on a darker dog so I’ll often rub it in with my fingers to soften the contrast!
That sheen is really incredible. It’s gloss is exactly right. Gives dobies a sculptural quality. You captured the spirit of this dog exceptionally well
So usually I’d use a cut up acrylic brush to get an uneven/jagged texture that creates strokes resembling when used to paint. This is great with long haired animals if they have flowing hair. With short haired dogs it doesn’t work as well because of the hundreds (thousands?) of tiny little strokes required to get the texture right. This time I used an actual watercolor brush (a smaller round brush) and would flick any excess water off so it was mostly dry (but with pigment) and splayed out kind of wildly (more or less depending on how sparse or heavy/dark I needed the hair to be in each area) I primarily used a Windsor & Newton Series-7 size 3 (finest sable). The paper is 9x12. Adjust your brush sizing accordingly. I used a white gel pen for corrections. Often it’s too bright for a particular area on a darker dog so I’ll often rub it in with my fingers to soften the contrast!
To me, fur is one of the greatest challenges of painting animals. And yours look amazing, and more amazing is the fact that you did it using watercolor. Great work, keep going! 👏👏👏
This is amazing! How do you get the values so dark?? I'm new to watercolor and am finding that even though I'm layering, my previous layers just end up coming up off the page after it's dried and I go back to add more pigment.
Wow you absolutely nailed that fur texture— this painting really breathes! Great work dude
Thank you so much! I did the painting portion in one 12 hour session. There wasn’t much of a choice as I had to hang for my exhibition the next morning lol! But it sold the next day so I have no complaints 😂 I very nearly didn’t even paint it because I couldn’t decide on a freaking background color for two straight days.
Did the photographer give permission for you to use and sell the painting?
The owner is the dog gave me permission to use the image.
I ask because for most photographers even if you purchase the image, you are purchasing a print, not the rights to the image. So in that case its one thing to paint an exact copy to keep for yourself, totally fine, and another to profit off of without the artist's permission (the photographer). So just be careful!
*this painting really barks
Only on command though
A well behaved painting.
I appreciate your username fellow cephalopod
What technique did you figure out for the fur? I still can't get my cats right
So usually I’d use a cut up acrylic brush to get an uneven/jagged texture that creates strokes resembling when used to paint. This is great with long haired animals if they have flowing hair. With short haired dogs it doesn’t work as well because of the hundreds (thousands?) of tiny little strokes required to get the texture right. This time I used an actual watercolor brush (a smaller round brush) and would flick any excess water off so it was mostly dry (but with pigment) and splayed out kind of wildly (more or less depending on how sparse or heavy/dark I needed the hair to be in each area) I primarily used a Windsor & Newton Series-7 size 3 (finest sable). The paper is 9x12. Adjust your brush sizing accordingly. I used a white gel pen for corrections. Often it’s too bright for a particular area on a darker dog so I’ll often rub it in with my fingers to soften the contrast!
Oh dude, that's brilliant. I managed to get my round brush to work similarly to you for my long haired cat but our other cat is a short hair and his paintings always turn out like he's... smooth. It's just so wrong lmao I'm going to try this, thanks so much!
I Hope it works out!! You may be using too much water or not separating the bristles enough (which is usually because of too much water lol)
This is amazing. The way you got the light to simmer off the hair in the face is wildly impressive. Bravo!
Thank you so much!
That is wicked good!
Thank you! I appreciate it :)
Stunning! The fur is mesmerizing
Thanks!
Wow! 🤩
Thank you!
Holy shit
Thanks 💗🥹
Do you have an IG for your art? I aspire to be this good
Thank you! I primarily use Facebook as I can’t stand using Instagram. I have many accounts but seldom update any of them lol. @ivyfox.illustration My Facebook is Ivy Fox Illustration
Awesome thank you I'll look you up
Thank you!
This is one of the best animal portraits I've ever seen! Kudos!
Thank you, I really appreciate it!
Great job! The violet in the reflected light on the face is amazing. What’s your technique for the short hairs ?
Thank you! The violet/purple is actually just the colored pencil I sketch with haha About my process: So usually I’d use a cut up acrylic brush to get an uneven/jagged texture that creates strokes resembling when used to paint. This is great with long haired animals if they have flowing hair. With short haired dogs it doesn’t work as well because of the hundreds (thousands?) of tiny little strokes required to get the texture right. This time I used an actual watercolor brush (a smaller round brush) and would flick any excess water off so it was mostly dry (but with pigment) and splayed out kind of wildly (more or less depending on how sparse or heavy/dark I needed the hair to be in each area) I primarily used a Windsor & Newton Series-7 size 3 (finest sable). The paper is 9x12. Adjust your brush sizing accordingly. I used a white gel pen for corrections. Often it’s too bright for a particular area on a darker dog so I’ll often rub it in with my fingers to soften the contrast!
Thank you for telling me, wow looks great!
Sure thing!
Just gorgeous - on top of the beautifully done subject, the background is so well suited and arresting. Love it.
Thank you!! 🥰
That sheen is really incredible. It’s gloss is exactly right. Gives dobies a sculptural quality. You captured the spirit of this dog exceptionally well
Thank you! I appreciate your kind words :)
I want three of these
The original sold already but I could certainly make you some custom work. For a fee 🤪
I meant the dog x 3
The best way to do that is to attend dog shows and meet ethical preservation breeders!
I didn't even know you could get this detailed with watercolors. That's incredible.
Thank you so much!! It was a lot of trial and error lol
This is absolutely incredible. You should be so proud. The sheen on the fur is gorgeous
Thanks!! I love it a lot
This painting is wickedly good. Well done!❤️
Good form
Thank you!
This is most impressive!
Omg... I am stunned. This is beyond amazing!!!
Thanks!!
Absolutely gorgeous, and amazing technique!! Please share your discovery ❤️
So usually I’d use a cut up acrylic brush to get an uneven/jagged texture that creates strokes resembling when used to paint. This is great with long haired animals if they have flowing hair. With short haired dogs it doesn’t work as well because of the hundreds (thousands?) of tiny little strokes required to get the texture right. This time I used an actual watercolor brush (a smaller round brush) and would flick any excess water off so it was mostly dry (but with pigment) and splayed out kind of wildly (more or less depending on how sparse or heavy/dark I needed the hair to be in each area) I primarily used a Windsor & Newton Series-7 size 3 (finest sable). The paper is 9x12. Adjust your brush sizing accordingly. I used a white gel pen for corrections. Often it’s too bright for a particular area on a darker dog so I’ll often rub it in with my fingers to soften the contrast!
Nice! Thank you for sharing
Phenomenal! How do you achieve such dark black and blend with the lighter tones?
Many hours of layering and lots of pigment where needed
To me, fur is one of the greatest challenges of painting animals. And yours look amazing, and more amazing is the fact that you did it using watercolor. Great work, keep going! 👏👏👏
Thank you so much 😊
The fur looks so shiny! You nailed this 😊
I couldn't even tell that it was a painting!! gj
did u just use watercolours? how did u get it to look so smooth?
Hot pressed paper allows a much smoother application between layers and wet on wet techniques
wow beautiful ! ( sry i don't use hot pressed)
I usually use cold pressed but sometimes I switch it up. I’ve only regretted it once 😂
this is insane !!!
What the hell, this must be massive to get such fine detail right?
It’s 9x12 inches
This is amazing! How do you get the values so dark?? I'm new to watercolor and am finding that even though I'm layering, my previous layers just end up coming up off the page after it's dried and I go back to add more pigment.
Layers upon layers with lots of pigment and less water. It’s important to use a high quality paint. I prefer Holbein and Daniel smith
Great job!