“Blue,” 5” x 7”, acrylic mixed breed portrait (definately some corgi in there!) on canvasboard, private collection (thank you!).

It’s always a little disconcerting when I am asked to paint a dog with two different colored eyes. Especially when the only photos I have to work from have possessed “red eyes.” But sometimes that’s all the client may have (darned those point and shoot cameras! If you really want a nice photo of your dog (or anything, for that matter), turn off the flash and use natural lighting whenever possible!!).

Anyways, back on track. The values that result from one dark and one light eye always seem to make the painting seem off balance. So this time I compensated by placing the lighter eye closer to the middle of the canvas than the darker one. It turned the blue eye into the focal point, which seemed fitting, given this dog’s name.

Again, lots of loose brushwork, yummy glazes, and gooey paint all working together to convey Blue’s steady gaze.

Thanks, as always, for looking.
And for sharing these paintings with your friends and family.
I hope that you are enjoying this project as much as I am!
Kim

Kimberly Kelly Santini
http://www.turtledovedesigns.com/
distinctive pet portraits
& 4-legged paintings

http://www.paintingadogaday.com/
come. sit. stay.
enjoy the art.

Founding member of the Canine Art Guild
http://www.canineartguild.com/
the gateway to canine art on the web