You asked for it- very first painting (WIP)

[Crias]

Here is the beginnings of my VERY FIRST painting. Gimme a pencil, or a color pencil or an exacto, but I don't know about these brush things :D. It will be 11"x14" in acrylics.

I probably shouldn't have picked something as personal as my own dog to do my first painting from, but I love this baby photo. I've already decided I am going to change the background that I have here, just haven't done it yet.

http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/22-Mar-2003/2921-PIC00138.jpg

And the ref picture.
http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/22-Mar-2003/2921-face1.jpg

I don't think I am looking for critiques yet, unless you see something majorly off in the proportions. I see lots of things that need major work (beyond the parts that aren't started). I haven't worked on this in a couple of months, so maybe posting it here will insipre me to get back to it (in my brief break between commisions).

[pencils4me]

She looks good so far Cathy -

I don't think the brushes will deter you in any way ;) !

TJ

[V.Bleile]

This looks great to me so far! Can't wait to see the finished product!

Good Luck
Vicki

[k9artist]

Go for the finish!! I started in w/c pencils because brushes scared me too much..but now i feel comfortable with them!
This site is a great motivator!! if you can stay off long enough to paint!! LOL
Dana
PS..I do want to paint one of your dog photos..if it is ok??

[Leslie Pz]

LOL Yeah! Glad to see you've posted your first painting! :clap: :clap: :clap:

Wow, this is coming. Keep it up. What's happening so far is really wonderful. I bet you will have brushes mastered, in no time!

Can't wait for more!
-Les

[elizabeth ours]

cathy,

looks great. he is adorable. your pencil work is wonderful, your painting will be too.

liz

[Venus in Fur]

Looks good! Keep on painting - the more you use it, the better it will feel - just like those oh so cozy clogs...

...uh oh I'm babbling.....12:45, time for bed....

Lisa

[prairie painter]

The fur looks beauty so far. Acrylics drive me nuts, they dry up on the palette so fast. I'm guessing you use one of those ones designed to keep the paint wet?
Really nice start!
Mary:cat:

[limits]

Brilliant start crias, the coat looks so real!!! Cant wait to see it finished :)

[lorna12]

I never would have known it was a first. You're doing a great job.

About the background, what do you think is wrong with it? I rather like what you have done. It's soft and blurry, and doesn't compete with the dog, making the dog stand out and shine.

Can't wait to see more of this.

[Ceiliog]

Great start - brave thing to do your first as a WIP, My first pic were a strange combination of stress, crying and swearing....yours I can see is much better, look forward to seeing it progress

[artcrazy]

way to go, Cathy! It is hard learning how to handle a brush as opposed to pencils (or at least it is for me - I'm still in transition but I AM slowly learning!!), but this looks like it will be a fantastic first painting. The thing to think about using a brush - or how I try to think about it - is it is like running - you need running miles before you're ever any good - you can't just run - so I try to think about "brush miles!" The more brush miles you have, the easier it gets! And before you even know it you'll be doing a marathon! ha! ha! :p good work, keep it up - looking forward to the updates!

[Crias]

I am overwhelmed with everyones responses! Thank you SO much! I am not sure when I will get a chance to get back to work on this- Hopefully soon!

Thank you everyone for your encouragement!

[Night Horse Studio]

Looks excellent so far, Cathy!


Stephanie

[crazeejumper]

Looking good, Cathy! Doesn't look like you have a problem adjusting from what I see!

[BTDogMom]

Looks EXCELLENT so far, Cathy!! The fur looks great :D:clap: :clap:

[myorca]

GO CATHY GO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Cant wait to see!!!


:)

Bob

[Wes Hyde]

So far so good! Next installment, please... :p

Wes

[ironhorse]

Cathy! You are doing great so far. You've picked a wonderful photo to do.
Now I'd like to see some more please!;) :p :D
Twyla

[Crias]

Sheesh- you guys are insistant!:D:D

Hey some of us have to work a 60 hour work week, plus lead several 4-H clubs, chairperson for several committees for national organizations and sleep! Thanks for the prodding- I need it with the paints :) They take so much time to set up and so much space too. OK- I'll try to find which moving box my paints are in and do some more on it tonight. :eek:

(Can you tell I'm afraid to start the face!)

[white-anubis]

Looks great! Keep it up! I want to see the finished product!

[elizabeth ours]

cathy,

go for it (the face) - remember there nothing that you can do that can't be fixed or adjusted.

by the way, SLEEP?? what is that - i know what you're saying, full time on the road nurse, piano teacher, wife, mother - we need a 9 day week with 36 hrs a day.

liz

[inkskin]

Hi Cathy,

I just wanted to chime in with some more encouragement. You are a natural ,and I know there isn't anything you can't accomplish.
I know nothing about how to paint, but from what I see so far you are well on your way.
Can't wait to see what's next:)

Heather

[Crias]

Alas- I didn't find my paints in the box I thought they were in- which means more intense digging in a number of other possible locations- but I wasn't up to it tonight. Sorry to keep you all waiting- but you can view my current project here. (http://www.wetcanvas.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=96876)

OK- I'm off to bed now! Sorry I didn't get back to it on this piece.

[Leslie Pz]

Hi Cathy
Saw your latest work (via the link you supplied) and can't wait to see more. Your wood texture on the spokes is great!

How's the painting coming! Can't wait to see more!
-Les