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"Dashing Daphne," 8x10, commmissioned pet portrait, acrylic grayhound painting on canvasboard, private collection (THANK YOU!).

I needed a smiling face to paint today, and Daphne fit the bill to a T. The exhuberance and delight in her face flowed directly onto my palette, and influenced my color choices.

I started by toning the canvas a wonderful apple green, and then sketched Daphne's form in overtop it while still wet. Painting quickly at first, so that I could lift that green and mix it into my shadows, was liberating. Then, after that first layer dried, I went in with glazes of violets and pinks and blues, building the sense of light, and carefully defining my edges.

Even though my reference photo was crisp, I wanted to capture that sense of movement - so only Daphne's face has crisp edges, while the rest of the painting seems to fade away. I also pushed her body further from the viewer's eye back into the picture plane by graying the shadows out, instead of maintaining that equally dark value that my reference photo shared with her eyes and mouth.

I can't help but look at this painting and grin. Along with the other one I completed today, which I'll share after the holidays.

On another note, writing Turtle's obituary last night was tough. I was even more terrified to send it - it seemed so very final. But I have been overwhelmed, literally, as your notes flew into my email box all day. Your words, shared tears, virtual hugs, and similar memories, have given me immense comfort.
Thank you from the bottom of my heart.
The dog-a-day family is beyond phenomenal. What a gift you have given me,
See you tomorrow,
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
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