English Bull Dog WIP

[CastorCreations]

Morning all, I have been working on a portrait of my sister in law's Bull Dog called Alfie. I'm not posting for critique at this time as I haven't finished, and there in lies the problem. I'm getting fed up with this one and I'm concerned I won't finish it or will rush it. Does that ever happen to anyone else? I started it 3 days ago and work on it for 3 hours in the evening and the odd half hour through the day when my little boy is playing contently, i'm just finding this one a real challenge because of the short fur and the colour of the red/golden fur.

Please can you spur me on to complete it? Thank you for looking



Close up, the eyes need more work

[ReArt]

Well, I personally think he is looking fantastic! I love English bulldogs, and I think you've captured the personality of the dog smashingly! I think the colour is coming along nicely. I would love to see the finished product

[Jayde]

I think you're doing a great job so far. I'm sorry I can't spur you on though as I myself have a half finished bulldog painting that I put aside 2 months ago. I will probably go back to work on it some time but at present I have no inclination!

[Dea]

This is looking great and you have already done the hardest
part, keep going you're almost there
Deanna

[Karen70]

Arh, he's looking really good so far.

I sometimes get that 'fed-up'feeling', especially when I did this in acrylic http://www.wetcanvas.com/forums/showthread.php?t=967892
I had this on my easel for about a year !!!!! Admittedly I didn't work on it for all that time, maybe six months, but I'm so glad I finished it... in the end Not only is it my hubby's favourite, but it's also hanging on our living room wall!
That's another reason why I joined WC, as I think it's very inspirational and encourages me, especially, to do more of what I love doing. Oh sorry I'm rambling on ...
So please don't give up, or rush it because I, for one, am really looking forward to seeing this when it's complete.
Good luck and regards

[CastorCreations]

Karen, fab Valentino on his bike! I remember when he first started out and was win win winning! I bought the same AGV sun and moon helmet that he had at the time.

Fab painting, that'd be on my wall too!

Jayde, perhaps we can finish our bull dogs together?

Reart and Dea, thank you for the encouragement.

I have put a wild rabbit on the easel, but I WILL NOT do anymore till the Bull Dog is done!

[sketchZ1ol]

hello
your sensitivity to the fur colour is very good
and the depth of focus is outstanding !

you've mentioned the eye , which would complete the sharp focus .

having another piece as a wip may be a good thing -
you can relax a bit while staying active

it looks really good , and i'm sure will be well appreciated

Ed :}

[CastorCreations]

Thank you Ed, those were very kind comments. I have actually made a start on the wild rabbit I sketched out. I'm really enjoying this one but Alfie is staring at me. Knew I should have left the eyes till last!

[equinespirit]

I think you are doing a wonderful job so far.
Im sure we all have times when we feel like that so you are not alone.
I find it best to deliberately work slowly if Im feeling bored/impatient with a piece, rushing through it will only ruin it IME.
If it makes you feel any better I spent over two weeks on my last piece then another 4 days before I could make myself start the next which Im still not 'into' but just making myself plod on until I feel inspired again.
Also I tend to get bored when Im at the stage you are at, i.e.: the body in a portrait style is something I rarely feel inspired by.
I think that when you work quite 'tight' like this it can feel tedious at times, maybe do a looser work for your next one to refresh you?

[John & Zoe]

I find 3 hours is a good beginning for such work. I then do several more sittings getting shorter as the work progresses. Please keep going, it's looking great and your feelings at this stage IMHO are totally normal. Zoe

[CastorCreations]

Here he is finished.



Pitt pencils on Murano paper

[BettiePage]

Wowwwww, this is great!! So much details in the fur and facial features, it's beautiful!