Mason Smiling

[ArtByFrida]

Hi All! This is my first actual piece with oil pastels. Sennelier on canvas board. Mason was my dalmatian, but we just didn't have the space for his hijinkery, so now he lives with my dad's co-worker on a huge plot of land with a fat cat to harass all day. (As you can see it was done with an indoor photograph, hence the red-eye. In the future I'll be sure to correct that or use a better photo)

Comments/Criticisms welcome!

[Pat Isaac]

He certainly looks happy...and the red eye is a little disconcerting. I'd also tend to darken the tongue and inside mouth as it goes back.
Nice job though for your first ever OP and it has a nice paint quality.

pat

[ArtByFrida]

The tongue thing hadn't even occurred to me! Thanks

[talinka]

Nice piece, very pop art-ish.
I agree about changing the red eye. The fact that it turned out that way in the photo doesn't mean it has to translate into the drawing. I also agree with Pat about the tongue.

[Flycatcher10]

Hi Frida: welcome to oil pastels - congratulations on your first piece.

Nice job on your dog, you managed to capture a real happy attitude! I like the look of his fur - almost appears that you applied the pastel with a knife - loose strokes. I agree with Pat on scraping out the red eye, you can use the left eye as your guide.

Your first oil pastel - well this little guy needs a frame!

[halthepainter]

Frida, Welcome to our home.

Your painting is an object lesson in not being a slave to a reference photo.

Basically you did a fine piece. The reference photo is just a starting point. You're the artist.

[alangraham]

I knew Hal would comment on this one . He has a dog fetish.

Anyhow, it looks great! I could tell right away with the yellows that you had used Senneliers. They're the best. I do agree with Pat on sharpening up the tongue.

Regards,
Cory