Gouache- Dog: step-by-step

[Deborah Secor]

This is a Christmas gift, done in gouache (mostly M. Graham, some Holbein, L&B Linel, and W&N), on Arches 300 c/p.

[INDENT][INDENT]
The pencil drawing, mostly erased before painting.

First wet washes. I almost like it better this way.

Might as well start with the eyes. I’ve corrected the slope of his left eye since taking this.
[INDENT]A detail:
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So far… That lumpy looking paw will have to be next, I think. [/INDENT][/INDENT]

[INDENT][INDENT]
I worked on the lumpy paw…

And then had a spurt and pretty much completed it.

[INDENT] [/INDENT]
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[INDENT][INDENT]
The final dog, with a few little issues further resolved.

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Just thought I’d share!

Deborah

"All glory to Him, who alone is God our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord."
Landscape Painting in Pastels (free online book)
Gouache Blog

[Yorky Administrator Ormskirk]

Super step-by-step Deborah with excellent results.

Doug

Some of my paintings over the years
We must leave our mark on this world

[Lulu]

Masterful :thumbsup:

Lulu

Proud to be Kiwi!

[mirizar]

Oh my! Love those eyes!

Michelle--Respect your brain!
My website: www.miriza.com
My blog: www.miriza.com/blog
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[Deborah Secor]

Thank you, Doug, Lulu and Michelle.

Deborah

"All glory to Him, who alone is God our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord."
Landscape Painting in Pastels (free online book)
Gouache Blog

[Caroleanne]

This is my first time I’ve commented but think this is just wonderful and had to tell you! It will be a most treasured gift I’m sure.
I wonder if you could have achieved such a great result if it had been painted in watercolour?

Carole

[Deborah Secor]

Thanks so much, Carole. I’ve seen some pretty incredible transparent watercolors of animals, so I’m sure there’s a way to do it, but I find gouache so satisfying. Gouache, which is just “opaque watercolor”, handles differently from transparent watercolors. You can correct mistakes so much more easily and you’re able to build up the light colors over the dark ones. Gouache will let you use washy, watercolor-y effects, but you can also use it thicker so that you take advantage of its opacity, too. I like the flat, slightly ‘dusty’ look of the dried paint, but many people who love transparent watercolor consider it to look dull, since the glow of the white paper from beneath isn’t there. It’s all a matter of what appeals to you.

Thanks for commenting!

Deborah

"All glory to Him, who alone is God our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord."
Landscape Painting in Pastels (free online book)
Gouache Blog

[MtLookout]

Terrific results Deborah,

I used to use gouache in my architectural renderings many years ago, but I have not used it for fine art. I need to give it a try !!

Tom

...got me a date with Botticelli's niece ...
she promised she'd be there with me when I paint my masterpiece...Dylan

[Deborah Secor]

Thanks, Tom. I hope you revisit it as a fine art medium. It’s quite versatile.

Deborah

"All glory to Him, who alone is God our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord."
Landscape Painting in Pastels (free online book)
Gouache Blog

[olliewood0702]

WONDERFUL to see the stages of this dog portrait, Deb! I love his eyes; you always nail the eyes. But his fur and paw are spectacular too!

Darla

If I create from the heart, nearly everything works: if from the head, almost nothing. — Marc Chagall

[Deborah Secor]

Oh thanks, Darla. I do feel getting that “something” in the eyes is so important. This is a dog I know and really like, so I wanted to catch his kind eyes. The paws were a bit of a challenge. Glad you like it.

Deborah

"All glory to Him, who alone is God our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord."
Landscape Painting in Pastels (free online book)
Gouache Blog

[M.L. Schaefer]

Gorgeous! I am always amazed at what you can do with Gouache!

May I make one little comment? The highlight in this beautiful dog’s eye is on the shaded size of the face…should one not be in the eye where the light hits?

I have the worst time painting dog’s paws…what a wonderful job you did on those! In fact, a totally wonderful painting!

Kiwi

When he, the Spirit of truth is come...he will be your Guide... Holy Bible (Old and New Testament)
Under the Concrete are Flowers Yet to be Born...from a Chilean Poem

[Anonymous]

Great job!! thank you ..!

[Anonymous]

Great job ..thank for the comments !

[Deborah Secor]

Kiwi, that’s a good question. I think the reason is related to to the strength of the catch light that’s coming in from the viewer’s right-hand side. It was strong, direct sunlight coming through a doorway and window. In his left eye you can see the window and doorway reflected. The shaded part of his right eye (viewer’s left side) contains a bright highlight of only the window. Because it is a ball, light always enters and exits the eyeball, usually with a catch light or highlight of some kind where it enters (especially indoors), and a glow of color where it exits, to varying degrees. The shadow over the eyeball defines that ball effect, which is emphasized in this dog’s right eye with that strong catch light in the shade. (A catch light is seen indoors, and although this wasn’t a spotlight, it was direct sunlight on him, so pretty strong.) The light exits in that glow of gold on the opposite side–one of the parts I really liked about it.

Thanks, Clode. I’m glad you enjoyed the comments.

Deborah

"All glory to Him, who alone is God our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord."
Landscape Painting in Pastels (free online book)
Gouache Blog

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