Two mastiff portraits.

Tito and Luna, pet portraits by Louise Primeau
Tito and Luna, on 12 x 16 gallery wrapped canvas.

Tito

Tito (on the left) enjoys strolling in the park at night. Don’t expect him to be too attentive to your needs though as he is easily distracted by all the lovely scents wafting about in the air. He especially loves sniffing every lamp post and park bench.

Tito is a creature of many habits; he expects his dinner at 7 pm sharp each night. You should be prepared for his most unusual habit; each morning, he wears the living room curtain on his head as though wanting to play hide and seek. When no one is game, he dejectedly walks away from the window and leaves his headdress aside for another day.

Although he has been in a long-term relationship for 12 dog years, he feels he is now ready to mingle once again and find a lifelong (or not) partner.

Luna

Luna loves long evenings sitting by the fire with a few movies lined up and a big bowl of popcorn to share with someone special.

Very lazy and mellow, Luna is the boss in any relationship. Consider yourself warned! Her passive nature hides a very wild streak. Don’t let her out of sight because she is likely to run off with someone else and you might never see her again.

If you like a girl with spunk, Luna is the one for you!

Details of two mastiff portraits.

Painted on a gallery wrapped 12 x 16 canvas, this portrait does not need to be framed. Finished at the end of December, this portrait was a belated Christmas gift for my youngest son and his partner.

I use professional quality Golden and Liquitex acrylic brands for all portraits.

Starting with line work, I quickly get the various shapes down using a water-soluble white pencil over the purple background. I continue to refine the shapes with watered down white acrylic paint.

Next I begin adding colours.

I often compare the painting with the reference photo to check for accuracy.

Sometimes it’s best to veer away from the reference photo. After I sent a photo of the portrait to a friend, she noticed the one eye that was grabbing her attention. (see reference photo above) I knew it was problematic – I just needed someone to confirm it.  So I changed Tito’s eye so that it more closely resembled the other one.

Copper Fine and Interference Blue by Golden.

 

I used Interference blue and Copper Fine by Golden to add a little pizzazz to the final portrait. I love these paints as the final touch on some portraits.  For example, I used the Golden Interference  on Ted in March 2020.

Golden's Interference Acrylic paint.

If you are not familiar with Interference products, Golden explains them this way:

GOLDEN Interference Acrylic Colors offer a unique “flip” when viewed from different angles. Colors flip between a bright opalescent color and its complement. Over white or lighter surfaces, the color is more subtle and the “flip” effect is more obvious. Over black or darker surfaces the color is more obvious and the “flip” effect is less dramatic. Adding a very small amount of black to Interference Colors produces deeper opalescent effects. Combine with GOLDEN Gels (Gloss) and Fluid Acrylic Colors to create an endless variety of colors and effects.

It is also possible to achieve similar stunning effects with Golden’s Iridescent medium added to any colour of paint.

Pet Portrait Commissions

At the moment, due to an accident a few weeks ago, I am convalescing. Presently, I have commission obligations until May.

I do have a waiting list though. Send me a quick note here if you wish to add your name to my list. Please visit my Pet Portraits page as well as the Feedback I have received from my clients, and finally, the price list I have posted on my website.

Cheers everyone!

 

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