Tabby cat portrait WIP

This is a portrait I'm currently working on for MC member Puzzles. Although Ben wasn't a Maine Coon he lived with some and, I believe, at times thought he was one. Here are the first progress pics.

http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f3...sonoutline.jpg
http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f3...ee/Benson1.jpg
http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f3...ee/Benson2.jpg
http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f3...ee/Benson3.jpg
http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f3...ee/Benson4.jpg
http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f3...ee/Benson5.jpg

Thanks so much Jo - your portrait is going to be absolutely stunning - we are so looking forward to seeing the finished picture - he will have pride of place in the lounge
:smile:

Sorry, unfortunately Ben didn't live with Maine Coons, but he was the reason we are now owned by three. We're positive that Ben was a MC cross - he was a very, very special, loving boy and his behaviour, temperament etc was spot on for MC - the fact that all the kits are showing the same characteristics has just made us even more sure. Ben was always with me - in the garden he was my shadow, always 'helping' of course! He had to be in the same room as me in the house, not that much of a lap cat, but as long as he could help me with whatever I was doing, then sit next to me on the sofa and rest a paw or two on my legs he was happy. RIP my beloved boy.

Thank you Carol.:smile:

Here's where I'm up to so far. He's a challenge for sure as tabby cats have so many layers of colour to achieve the effect.

http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f3...ee/Benson6.jpg
http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f3...ee/Benson7.jpg
http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f3...ee/Benson8.jpg
http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f3...ee/Benson9.jpg

You've absolutely caught his expression Jo - that was exactly how he looked when I told him what a handsome boy he was :smile:

Ahh bless him. My Mum says he looks like the cat that's got the cream.

Some more updates of Ben.

http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f3...e/Benson10.jpg
http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f3...e/Benson11.jpg
http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f3...e/Benson12.jpg

Last ones for today. I'm hoping to finish him over the weekend.

http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f3...e/Benson13.jpg
http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f3...e/Benson14.jpg
http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f3...e/Benson15.jpg

Wow beautiful!, stunning!, fab! you are so clever

Thank you Wendy.:smile:

A couple more progress pics.

http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f3...e/Benson16.jpg
http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f3...e/Benson17.jpg

Here he is finished and approved by his Mum.
http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f3...onfinished.jpg

What an amazing picture - so full of character - and what a jaw-dropping treat to be be able to follow the progress of a portrait this way! Thank you for sharing this.

We're absolutely delighted with Ben's portrait, and he was so full of character in life too - Jo has caught him purrfectly :smile:
You're right Wivelspiker, it was brilliant being able to see his portrait take shape step by step!

Wivelspiker - Thank you. I always do a WIP, for the owners, as I go along partly so that they can see how I get from a blank sheet of paper to the finished portrait but also so that they can comment at any time if I've not got something quite right. eg colouring. As I work from photographs I can only draw what I can see. The more accurate and detailed the photo is the better my representation of the subject.

Puzzles - so pleased you like him Carol. He'll be on his way to you tomorrow. Mitch has helped (in the loosest sense of the word) me to package him up this morning.