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“Rocky,” 6” x 12”, weimereiner pet portrait in acrylic on canvasboard, private collection (THANK YOU!).

It’s not often that I fit more than head and shoulders into a dog a day painting, but with Rocky, I felt as though I had no choice. As all weimies go, she’s constantly on the go, playful and goofy as all getup. The reference photo of her stopping mid backscratch to taunt the viewer with a little eye contact was just too good to pass up!

Lots of transparent glazes here, to accentuate the blue-pink quality of Rocky’s fur and skin. I used a similar color for the background, just a little yellower of a shade, to separate it from her body but still fall within the general color scheme. And I relied equally on the power of various lines as I did on modeling/shading the dog’s shape.

For me, this painting carries a 5 star “grin” factor, even though I might go back into it tomorrow and throw another wash of pale green overtop the grass, and add some pale blue highlights to the ground. (yes, that’s breaking my rules of leaving the painting alone after posting it, but rules are made to be broken, aren’t they?!). It’s late, and this one is still very wet, and if I want to post by midnight, I need to call a stop to things for now!!

On a sadder note, I wanted to share that Shadow’s remains were found this weekend (the lab mix featured as a dog-a-day on June 27th). He was hit by a car; it is suspected the same night that he disappeared. As sad of an outcome as this is, there is consolation in knowing that he did not suffer (it was, thankfully, quick) or wander, lost and confused, for days at a time. It was touching how many of you emailed over the last month, asking for updates, and sharing your support for his safe journey home. I know that has helped his family through a difficult time.

Thanks, as always, for looking.
And for sharing these paintings with your friends and family,
Will see you tomorrow (with Rocky’s partner in crime, Bullwinkle, in tow),
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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