Art of the Dog: Dawn Secord: Hogan - Larger than Life Oil Painting

Sunday, September 16, 2012

Hogan - Larger than Life Oil Painting

This is Hogan.   Recently, a "mini" pastel painting was also created of him.

Hogan is no longer with us.   As I mentioned in the post about his pastel painting, he was a very special dog and I was fortunate to have spent some time with him over the past few years.

His larger than life oil painting is 3 feet x 4 feet.    These paintings are always great fun to do.

The attached photos show the process from the beginning to the end.   In the very beginning, a pencil sketch is loosely rendered on the canvas.   At that point, all I am worried about is perspective.  Once the sketch is completed, black oil paint is applied over the sketch to secure the initial drawing.    The purpose for this is to make sure I don't lose my sketch when the under painting is applied.

The under painting is then applied and covers the entire surface of the canvas.   Once that dries, layers of color are applied.   Each painting is different.   Sometimes, I block in the larger dark areas (which was done with this painting). Sometimes, I just start applying color and don't block in spaces.   It really depends on the lights and darks in the reference photos.

Ample drying time is allowed before the next layer is applied.   This process is continued until I feel the painting is done.   There is no specific time frame in which a painting is completed. It is done when it feels right. My biggest concern are the eyes.   It is extremely important that the eyes of my subject draw in the viewer and make a connection.

1 comment:

Carole Pivarnik said...: Beautiful!; September 16, 2012 at 5:01 AM

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Pastel Painting in Progress - French Bulldog

Here is a painting in progress. The pastel paintings are done very much in the same way an oil painting is done. I start with a base color. Usually I work with a precolored surface. With oil painting I would lay in a foundation color so the white canvas wouldn't show through. So this is the same basis. Since I am right handed I work from left to right unless it is a landscape or still life in which case the entire surface is worked uniformly. With pet portraits, so I don't damage an area that is completed, the surface is worked from left to right. While working an area of the subject I lay in mid tone values first - then work light to dark. With pastels an artist can "fill the tooth" of the surface so it is important not to over work any areas. Once the entire subject is painted I go back and reinforce the lightest lights and darkest darks. My greatest area of interest is the eyes. If the eyes aren't right the entire painting will look odd. If the painting is about a sleeping animal it is important to convey the comfort of the animal.

Oil Painting in Process

The following pictures show an Oil Painting in process. The first images show my beginning sketch. I use a common pencil, ruler and an eraser. Once the beginning sketch is satisfactory the sketch is secured with a layer of black oil paint. When the first layer is dried I apply a base color over the entire canvas. I love working on a burnt sienna foundation. There are paintings where I start just working directly on the white canvas and there is no base layer or foundation. It really depends on the painting. From the base foundation I start layering colors. It is a slow process due to drying time. This is where it really becomes fun. I should really make a recording of my husband saying, "You're done - stop messing with it!" Thanks for taking a peek. This painting is of a cat named Lynxy!