Symphony in White - err, Calico

"Symphony in White (Calico)," 8" x 16", acrylic on canvasboard, portrait of a calico cat. Proceeds from the sale of this painting will support my local shelter, the Oakland Pet Adoption Center. Inquiries may come to me at ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com .

The painting didn't photograph terribly well, which seems to always be the case with pieces that fall at either end of the value chart. It's reading more pink on my monitor than it truly is in real life, and there is a lovely soft glow to the cat's eye that is washed out on the computer.

This piece was inspired by James McNeil Whistler's "Symphony in White," which you can see here. I wanted to paint in the same sort of key as the original "Symphony of White" without sacrificing color.

That must seem contradictory to some of you, and I'll try to explain better. What I wanted was the cat's markings to "float," while carefully controlled color temperature changes and not necessarily value changes modelled her form in the lighter areas of the composition. I'm seeing a few minor tweaks I'd like to make, but overall am very happy with the way this challenge turned out - I learned quite a bit.

I'd like to try this exercise again with a white cat or dog, but don't have the necessary reference photos. Are there any Dog-a-Day readers who would like to help out? Images can be sent to ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com . And thank you in advance!!

I'll be back tomorrow with a new commissioned pet portrait. Stay tuned and stay warm!

Thanks for your time!

Kim

ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com

PS Have you ordered your copy of Painting a Dog a Day - the First Year? I'm prepping for the book's third press run, but have a few softcover copies remaining. Orders can come to me.

PSS Have you checked out the new Dog-a-Day paintings available at Etsy? Free shipping on purchases of 2 more.

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