Gizmo done

Gizmo

I finished Gizmo’s watercolor portrait, and I must say, I like it much better than the acrylic one.  I was able to be much more delicate in depicting him – and he was a very delicate little guy.  I think for portraiture (both pet and architectural) that pen and ink with the watercolor or pastel overlay is much more suited to my style.  I really need to take an acrylic class and get a better idea of technique.

Redoing Gizmo’s portrait

Pencil up

I wasn’t ever really happy with the acrylic portrait of Gizmo the cat, so I decided to try it again with the pen and watercolors.  Here are the pencil drawing and the inked sketch.

So far, I am pleased.  I feel I have so much more control with the pen and watercolors.  Maybe it is the lazy way out, but I haven’t done a pet portrait since the two of my friend’s horses last summer and I wanted to try something again.  I’ll wait to finish the inking if I need to until after the watercolors.  I don’t want it to get too dark as he was a lighter orange tabby.

Inked

Gizmo 2

Ginger cat

This is much better, isn’t it.  As my daughter’s cat, I am very familiar with him and, in some ways, that makes it harder.  I want to see the cat I know emerge from the canvas.  His expression is much more defined now and some personality is starting to come through.  He basically is a happy little guy, though somewhat the chicken where bravery is concerned.  Hence the slightly worried face.

I wasn’t concerned about the preliminary being over bright.  I softened the orange, added the brown stripes and highlights, and  textured the fur.

There will be a few more changes after I let it sit for a bit.  I need to tone down the orange in the left side of his face, add shadows and a few whiskers, and deepen the colors in  his eyes.  I am pleased so far.