Sleeping Cat.
6x6in oil on canvas panel $100. SOLD
A verrry contented grandcat.
I want to thank Mary Hibbs, OH, for buying the painting
of Mr. Chomp yesterday so that $125. donation
will go to an animal shelter of need back east.
My hubby is doing the research for the best one .
Artist Note.
I had a full day of teaching and now I want to go off and
vote so this will be short.
Question.
How do you show closed eyes on a cat who has black fur
where the eyes are? Especially in the fracturing technique.
What a dilemma
Answer. Its NOT EASY!
If at first you do not succeed then try try and try again!
At first they were too obvious and lost the effect of fur.
Paint, scrape off, paint scrape off, four times!
I looked very carefully at the subtle changes of value
and I remembered the principle
BLACK in the light moves close to a middle value
It helped a lot.
The other part of that principle is
WHITE in the shadow moves to a middle value.
I used the same pile of gray to lighten the black and
darken the white.
This kitty is another content kitty...he must have had the same breakfast as Mr. Chomp?
ReplyDeleteI am trying to learn what value means exactly in color...not sure I understand "middle value". Does this just mean a lighter black, not the blackest black and not the lightest black??
Fun breakfast comment, Lisa.
ReplyDeleteYes - you have it correctly. Value in color means how light or dark the colors are.
Take black and add a little white for a deep gray and then a little more white to make a little lighter gray...and you can continue these steps all the way up to white.
A well done sleepy kitty, Julie! The eyes look fine. Your technique works great with any subject.
DeleteThe black in light/white in shadow principal really applied here.
By coincidence you mentioned it on my panda painting a few days ago.
Thanks Dean - you did a great job with the really adorable, Panda
DeleteA real Cool Cat ... I just bought three watercolour kittens from Maga Fabler (see my sidebar) as a Christmas Prezzy. they are great subjects, but I can how difficult the eyes must have been, nevertheless a perfect painting, glad it went on such a good cause.
ReplyDeleteI'm told that if cats do a slow blink at you ... its a smile! I do it to them ... but they ignore me!
Lucky Maga, Lucky recipients.
DeleteYou did a brilliant job, Julie!
ReplyDeleteThanks, my dear.
DeleteThanks for a great tip, Julie. That makes so much sense and will help me with the Border Collie portrait I'm about to start. Another trick in my bag! Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteIt is SOOOO good to hear from you, Twinkle. Thanks for the visit and comment.
DeleteYou captured it purrfectly Julie. He's very content. Always a challenge to capture black in light and white in shadow. Great job!
ReplyDeleteNice - thanks, Bruce. I adore your larger piece today.
DeleteI think this is an exceedingly difficult task that you pulled off perfectly! I also love the relaxed attitude,yet with head up and listening....just so cat-like-super!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great compliment from a master!
DeleteExceedingly difficult is what I call the River piece you posted today. To capture the swirling water and such great depth is amazing.
You nailed it! Well done, Julie!
ReplyDeleteThanks Carol. Evert time I look at your post, Black Tie, I feel good.
DeleteThat's what I like so much about your blog - the way you share tidbits here and there and share a tremendous painting as well. Thank you!
ReplyDeleteYou are so nice - thank you. You did a great job copying Gustave on your post today.
Deletecat painting is a challenge.....you make it look easy! every cat lover recognizes the "contended cat" look....nicely done!
ReplyDeleteThanks Celeste. I guess you saw a lot of it while cat sitting.
DeleteLove the brilliance of your post today.
Very good pieces of advice, will definitely try and remember this. Love this very relaxed and seemingly content cat, always great inspiration to find here.
ReplyDeleteHello Julie:) This one is so lovely! So relaxed. I think he's very happy you tried and tried and tried. Beautifully done:)
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad you persisted, Julie! You managed to get the contentedness in the midst of a very dramatic and dynamic painting. So lush and wonderful to look at.
ReplyDelete