48x36" oil on heavyweight canvas WIP
When I began this painting I wasn't sure about the possibility of translating the subtle melange of color on the boys coats since they were lit from the front and totally in shadow behind, save the bits of light caught on their surrounding fur. I was mistaken! This view, as it turns out, is much more interesting a view, in terms of painting it, than the original which had them in full sunlight! So many colors...lavenders, teals, ochers...and so, so, inspiring! I think I've gone a bit bushy for Pug coats so I might calm them down a bit, but I'll see how it goes.
I'm not sure where it will end up but I thought I'd post it at this stage because I just know that Tim would be adamant that I stop now. The road is much lighter in the reference and I'm still undecided how to treat it as it looks completely different than the road in the first painting, but again, I'll see.
What is interesting is that I'm being patient and building up layers and trying different techniques with my big furry brushes. Standing up close it seems ridiculous to just start smushing a somewhat dry brush about but when I step back and squint, sometimes it works!
Apologies for their little bums, but from the leash point of view....well...there they are!
But what cute bums those are!! Suze this is incredible, the light, which is so different from what is typically seen, is what struck me right away. Drop dead gorgeous!! I don't know how you have the patience to layer, I can't seem to master that. I agree with Tim, I say stop now. It is simply perfect!
ReplyDeleteAnd I also wanted to tell you thank you so much for visiting me and for your kind words, they mean so much. :)
ReplyDeleteHugs,
Crystal
Hi Suz,,,
ReplyDeleteOh don't even touch it!!!!
We love it.... they are furry and we can feel it! There is so much feeling in this painting.
They are all different view when you paint... and I think each one is special in their own way. Raz and Blu are so furry soft like they had a beauty treatment..!
Oh and bums? Well we all got em,, so its all cool!
We love you and we love all the colors that are blended like popouri into this beautiful painting.
Listen to Tim!
We love you sweet Suz,
xoxo
tweedles
Gunkie, you have outdone yourself!!! ... and that is a lot of out-doing. Raz and Blu are ready to walk off the page. They have so much life - and more. I like the dark of the pavement, but it's a personal preference. As for the bums ... LOVE 'EM!!!
ReplyDeleteBrilliantly done. Listen to Tim - leave it, at least for now.
Hugs to you, you painting genius. :)
I would say stop now.
ReplyDeleteAlthough I hear that too sometimes and will still go in and refine small areas since the only one who really knows our own work and intentions are ourselves as artists, and you know in your gut what MUST be done to maintain your own high artistic standard.
No one will notice the small but necessary quality control refinements provided you don't lose the big picture, but you'll regret not making them.
I love the dark pavement. It's what gives the diminutive subjects their well deserved drama, like little suburban sled dogs!
Your last words made me laugh. I love what you are doing here! Seems to me that I recall you didn't always listen when Tim said, "Stop now!" Did you? I say this because I know if you decide to take this further, you will do the right thing ultimately. That said, I also think it is beautiful as is! Hah! I am so wishy washy.
ReplyDeleteOh Suz - Listen to Tim! Stop! It's so perfect that surely the only way from this point is down!
ReplyDeleteReally - The light is incredible and adjusting the road might dilute the drama of it... This really works - just as it is. I'd be wincing from here on every time the brush touches the canvas! :0)
I love the drama of the lighting in this, Suz... you pulled it off to perfection! And the RICHNESS of their coat colors...wow... and it all reads perfectly. Did I mention perfect?!
ReplyDeleteBren
Holy Moly I love that! I agree with everyone! Its fabulous!
ReplyDeleteAmazing light hitting these guys..they are really adorable and I feel like its a finished piece!! THIS IS SO GOOD, Suzanne!!!
ReplyDeleteThis is incredible, Suzanne. The way you did the lighting on the road is especially genius, I think! It's inspiring to me to hear you talk about experimenting with different techniques to get the effect you're after. I'm also interested in the way you used similar colors throughout, yet there is a definite difference between the dogs' coloring and the road. Could you come back and look at my house piece that is in progress and give me your thoughts about the colors I might use for the road, sidewalk, and surrounding grasses and rocks? I'm puzzling over them at this very minute!
ReplyDeleteI love the lighting of this and the composition - the colours too are gorgeous. (whisper - I would smooth out the coats a tad if it were me). Whether you listen to that whisper or not, it is in any event a simply lovely painting.
ReplyDeleteI always kick myself when I don't keep up with your wonderful posts, but now the catching up is so fun! These guys are most wonderful and the subtle color notes all sing together!
ReplyDelete" " " Ditto to what Mary Maxam said. I am always a bit out of breath when i see the paintings you do. This one is beyond spectacular. Not sure i would even know what else it would need. Seems perfect already! Thanks for your kind comments re: my cow portrait. I think i might try to take the paintings to another level. Thanks for the inspiration and the blessings of your artwork Suzanne. Beautiful!
ReplyDeleteHow interesting - morning walk through the eyes of the leash holder! I love this composition, especially the way the leash leads the eyes right into the heart of the painting. And the way you have handled the scraps of light is wonderful! I am so impressed!
ReplyDeleteLove it, love it, love it! How could you not love those little behinds??!!
ReplyDeletesuper ...feels like i'm being pulled into the picture suzanne ... love the way the lead twists and the dogs take you in different directions ... great series
ReplyDeleteOh, I totally love their little butts. I just had the girls shaved down with lion kitty cuts and all their little (normally) hidden parts are there for the world to see ;)
ReplyDeleteI love the backlighting (no pun intended) in this painting. You just nail these pugs.
Hugs to you, Suzanne.
Your best painting ever Suzanne!
ReplyDeleteI think Tim would be right in this case! Stop here! I think the darker road adds to the impact of the highlights in their fur. Bravo!!!
ReplyDeleteOh wow, Suz! This is so perfect! I laughed when I read your comment about their bums, but in my opinion, that just makes this painting all the more lifelike, and interactive as well. I always wanted a pug growing up, and this painting allows me to live vicariously through you, as you take them on their evening stroll. It's wonderful! I love the lighting and the fluffy quality of their hair, and I agree - this one looks finished to me! And quite perfect as well. =D
ReplyDeleteI love it, a good one for prints
ReplyDeleteI hope you have stopped on this! LOVE IT!! I could go through and look at your blog for hours. Suzanne, you do such amazing work!! Sorry I have not taken the time and visited in a while. It is like Christmas when I do. Thanks so much for your visits and kind words on my blog!! Hugs!
ReplyDeleteI absolutely love this! the perspective makes me feel like I am the dog walker...the pups are rendered so perfectly...it is just a wonderful piece
ReplyDelete