Evee
updated November 18, 2014
12″ x 12″ pencil drawing
Got another pet portrait commission for a grey tabby cat named Evee. I’ve worked up a pencil sketch, based on some photos sent to me, for approval before the actual painting is started. Once I get a “green light” from the patron, then I begin working on the painted portrait.
12″ x 12″ oil on canvas
I did an underpainting of brown, as when working on a white canvas the surface is always brighter then the colors being applied to that surface. Since I always start with the eyes and a cats’s eyes are very reflective and translucent, painting them on a dark background helps to gauge the light on the eyes. Once I have completed the painting, most of if not all of the brown background will be painted over.
12″ x 12″ oil on canvas
At this moment, this is where I’m at. Still blocking darks & lights to make up the fur patterns, this also defines the form of the head/face. I’m working from a very clear, sharp photo, which is great as it allows me to be more accurate and cuts down on having to do guess work.
12″ x 12″ oil on canvas
This is the final version. Funny how it looks so much brighter with all that background painter over, right? But once a drastic value change is made a lot of the high-lights had to be adjusted and or added. And of course adding the whiskers is always the last thing I do for the most part.
Craig Ford’s Fine-Art Blog 
Wonderful!!!
Thank you