How a Maine Coon pastel portrait is created.

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8th April 2011, 08:13 AM
jopetportraits

How a Maine Coon pastel portrait is created.

I thought I'd show you how I create one of my pet portraits. When I've been contacted to do a pet portrait for somebody I ask for a selection of photos to have a look at and advise which I think would work best for a portrait. Sometimes clients have a particular favourite photo and providing it's clear and detailed enough I'm happy to work from that. Occassionally I have to ask for better photos. A good close up of the pets face is needed to get the best results. The more detailed the photo the better. Remember I can only draw what I can see. If I have to 'make up and guess areas' then it strays further away from being your pet.

So this is Misty, a commission that I did last year. She's 16 years old and continues to be a favourite of mine. Not least because she is a Maine Coon but her colouring was an absolute joy to work with. I hope you enjoy this thread.:smile:

http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f3...tyoutline2.jpg
http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f3...ee/Misty12.jpg
http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f3...ee/Misty22.jpg
http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f3...ee/Misty32.jpg
http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f3...ee/Misty42.jpg
http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f3...ee/Misty52.jpg
http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f3...yfinished3.jpg
8th April 2011, 08:28 AM
jckkerrison

How a maine coon pastel is created

What a wonderful gift you have to make someones pet become so alive for them,right from the first drawing you can see the depth & strength of the MC muzzle,that person must be so happy to have what will always be a wonderful memory of her pet,thanks for sharing ...x
Just had another look,those eyes are talking to you,what a beautiful colour.
8th April 2011, 08:37 AM
Helen & John

Wow. I am in awe of your skills, drawing a straight line gives me problems!!!!

The eyes are amazing.
8th April 2011, 09:27 AM
Joolz

That's absolutely beautiful, what an amazing gift you have
8th April 2011, 09:28 AM
WoodsideMaineCoons

What an amazing picture and it is wonderful to see just how it goes from being a simple line drawing to a full on portrait.

Do you have any more like that you could share?

Louise
8th April 2011, 09:40 AM
jopetportraits

Thank you everyone. I thought it would be nice to show you how it all progresses. When I do a portrait I email the progress pics to my clients so that they can see how their portrait is created. A few who have commissioned a portrait as a gift have printed the progress pics off and presented them with the finished portrait to the recipient so that they can see how the portrait was created.

Louise, I've not got anymore MC progress pics but have plenty of other pets(mainly dogs) if you want to see some of those.:smile:
8th April 2011, 09:42 AM
Chak78

Stunning!

I feel you'll be a popular person in the next few weeks!:winkwink:
8th April 2011, 04:23 PM
Stacey

Lovely painting :) you've got a real talent there!! Do you paint all sorts of pets or mostly cats?

Dave draws a lot and keeps photoshopping pictures of Teddy now...I may add his most recent to the forum!
8th April 2011, 06:11 PM
jopetportraits

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stacey

Lovely painting :) you've got a real talent there!! Do you paint all sorts of pets or mostly cats?

Dave draws a lot and keeps photoshopping pictures of Teddy now...I may add his most recent to the forum!

Thanks Stacey. To be honest I do mainly dogs. More dog owners seem to want a portrait memory/keepsake of thier pet than cat owners for some reason. I have done other pics including Classic cars.
8th April 2011, 07:05 PM
FreyjaRoMaine

Stunning. That really is a gift you have there, and thank so much for sharing the process, it's fascinating how quickly the picture takes shape. Beautiful. How long would a picture like that typically take you?
8th April 2011, 11:18 PM
Tivicoons

Hi they are lovely pastels, by coincedence I've been trying to get painting again, after a really long lay off and have to say that I found it quite hard to get the shape of the cat and the coat pattern even half right... I'll have to post some of my pix, we could start a gallery!
9th April 2011, 07:31 AM
jopetportraits

Quote:

Originally Posted by FreyjaRoMaine

Stunning. That really is a gift you have there, and thank so much for sharing the process, it's fascinating how quickly the picture takes shape. Beautiful. How long would a picture like that typically take you?

This was a 10x12 inch portrait so about 15 and 20 hours worked over 3 or 4 days. I can only draw for about 4 hours at a time as it's hard on the eyes and everything can roll into one so to speak, so it's good to go back to it the next day with fresh eyes.:smile:
9th April 2011, 07:33 AM
jopetportraits

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tivicoons

Hi they are lovely pastels, by coincedence I've been trying to get painting again, after a really long lay off and have to say that I found it quite hard to get the shape of the cat and the coat pattern even half right... I'll have to post some of my pix, we could start a gallery!

Thank you. We could start a Cooney art thread.:LOL:
9th April 2011, 08:30 AM
harrymc

Absolutely beautiful, you have a real talent. x
9th April 2011, 12:05 PM
Louie-Louie

Now I realy like that :nod: just wonderful :smile:
11th April 2011, 09:22 AM
jopetportraits

Thank you.:smile: