Being asked to paint another person’s pet can be very flattering, yet it can also prove to be a double-edged sword. When selecting a reference image for our own paintings, we can judge what gives us the best and most interesting subject. Yet when faced with a photo of a beloved pet from an outside source that may not contain the information needed, the results can be less appealing and can often trip us up. I find the best way around this problem is to ask for a selection of images, then explain why you have chosen your particular view.
Painting an animal portrait from a compromised reference photo is fine for pleasing a doting owner, but if you want the resulting painting to appeal to a wider audience, the reference image has to contain information that will give your work a wider appeal.
Look for an image that has attitude or humor, nice lighting, and composition, or an interesting color palette. Try to avoid anything with too much background information – you want the animal to stand out and be the star, just like Bear in this example below. www.matthewjeanes.co.uk
Matt's materials
• Paper
Fabriano Artistico Traditional White 300gsm watercolour paper, 45x61cm
• Paints
This story is from the January 2022 edition of Artists & Illustrators.
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This story is from the January 2022 edition of Artists & Illustrators.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
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