This is the process that I did to create the official portrait of Euka. I will post a few pictures each day till we have the completed painting. So be sure to check back each day to eventually see the completed painting.
Creating a portrait of an animal always starts with a photograph. Once I have the photo I will work with it to find the perfect composition. Euka got to sit on some chairs for this photo because we wanted to be sure she would givet off the essence of feeling important. By elevating her from the floor it changed her demeanor.
I was also looking for a certain light to make the portrait more interesting. So there is cool light coming from the window on the right side of the portrait and warm light in the shadow.
Next I did a quick oil sketch to block in the shapes of the painting.
Dawn B Dwyer, Artist 