Tuesday, January 6, 2015

Monday, January 5, 2015 30/30

K9 DIOGI

K9 Diogi, may he rest in peace, was an officer for 8 years with the Homdel Police Department of Homdel, New Jersey.  He passed of cancer.

Such a beautiful dog.  



This is the original photo!


Here is how I created Diogi, step-by-step!


First I draw it in!



I like to put in the features to give the dog "life".




Finished more of the nose.



Started to add in some black, but instead of working with black pastel, which is a nightmare to work in, I decided to do this portrait with charcoal.  Such a perfect decision!  



Adding in the ears and the hair "underneath".  

You must do the hair on the "bottom" and layer the hair to what is on top.


Trying to get the "shine" of his coat, I knew I had to follow each and every single "pattern" in the coat.  I had to get it right also to show anatomy! 


In the home stretch, just have to do the mouth.  Wonderfully, that's my favorite part.  


Completed.  Diogi is completed.  
He was a gorgeous pup.  



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Friday, January 2, 2015

Friday, January 2, 2015 - 30/30


This was K9 Nicko, R.I.P.



K9 Nicko served for ten years with the Corson County Sheriff's Office in Nebraska.

This painting was created for his handler, Officer Scott De Coste.

Here is the step-by-step collage of how he was completed and then below, the individual photos I sent in emails to him to show him his partner while he was being created.  He absolutely loves it!


This is the original photo from which I worked.



I begin by drawing it in.



I add in the eyes and nose and mouth to give the portrait some life.


I didn't know where to begin, so I started around the muzzle.



I soon realized I should work from the under part of the hair to the top layer.  
Kind of how a hairdresser dries your hair.


The area under the chin, I just knew I had to truly concentrate on just how this was completed.  The fur went in so many different directions, so I focused on getting this part in good definition, as I knew the handler probably loved the bushy-ness of his fur.  


Onto the ears!  I like to start on the left side of the animal since I am right handed, I have a place to rest my hand a bit.  Besides, I can't see it as well if I go the other way. Reverse if you're left handed!


Now I'm in the home stretch.  I must say I used more pastel on this dog than any other portrait I have ever created.  This dog had so many different colors and variation of direction with the fur, it drove me mad...but, then I remember what it means to the Officers and it's all worth it.


This is the completed portrait.  
The officer LOVED it.


This is to show about how big my pet portraits are, usually about 11" X 11" or 12" X 12", but this one was about 8" by 11".  Depends on how the dog is posed.  


This is Nicko while he was resting during work.
Cute dog, wasn't he?


He was such a hard worker, and so cute, he made the cover of 
"The Nebraska Sheriff".

That's quite an honor!


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