We schedule Pet Portrait workshops 2-3 times a year. Please let Liz know if you are interested and we will let you know when our next workshop is scheduled.
Pet Portraits with Liz Miller CDA Artful Endeavors
A character study of your favorite furry one.
You will work from a head and shoulder photo of your pet, mostly a head painting. Be sure you have a good, sharp detail of the eyes and nose. It’s difficult to paint from a fuzzy photo. Your photo should show your pet’s character to create an interesting painting. You’ll create your pattern from your photo with instructions from Liz.
As we paint we’ll work on the common features such as eyes and nose together. Then you will progress to the fur, all with assistance from Liz.
a Liz Miller design
in progress
There are two options for creating your pattern: You can enlarge your photo to the surface size making sure you retain sharp details, and then trace. Or, trace from the original photo and then enlarge the tracing to surface size. Your painting will only be as good as your pattern. Make sure you are accurate. Indicate direction of fur. Shadows or lights can be identified with dotted lines.
I like painting my pets on an 8 x 8 canvas or gesso board. You could go to 8 x 10 or 11 x 14. We want to stick with a size we can get finished. I do like the squares. We’ll paint the head and shoulders and work to get the animal’s personality.
You can supply your own surface and bring the paints that you think will work for your pet. I have paints we can supplement with if we need other colors. I have surfaces if you need one.
in progress
Surface: Choose an 8 x 8″ or 8 x 10” canvas, gesso board, or surface of your choice.
Brushes: # 6 or 8 filbert, ¼ filbert rake, #0 or 1 liner, # 2 or 3 round, and large wash brush + your usual painting supplies and brushes. I use a waxed palette not a wet one.
Base coat with one coat of Slate Grey or neutral tan color, whichever is closer to your pet’s fur/hair color. Bring this color with you.