Cat Paintings

       ...From Your Photographs

If you'd like to commission a special portrait painting of your cat I can work from your photographs to create a painting. I'll ask you to send me photos before agreeing to a commission so we can discuss what you want and make sure your photos will do the job. Once I have your photos we'll talk about what you have in mind for the painting. You might have a photo of the pose that you particularly like and I can use this as the pose for the painting. Or you might not have a strong idea about how it should look. I'll look at your photographs and as we discuss the painting I'll do some sketches so that you can look at ideas for the picture. Once we have a sketch you're happy with I'll start on the painting itself.

Here's how it works.

The Photographs

You can either post or email your photos to me. Photographs should be sharp, detailed and well lit to show your all your cat's best features. Poorly lit photos don't reproduce the colour of fur or eyes very well and you can miss essential details. I need more than one photo so I can get a good idea of the sitters personality and colouring. At least half a dozen at a minimum. They should show a variety of poses and some should be head and shoulder shots taken in good light without flash so that eye colour and coat colour can be seen clearly.

It's also a good idea to take photos of anything special that might be included in the painting or used for the background. For example a favourite cushion or a special sunny spot in the garden that he loves to sit in.

It's also good to know about about the sitter and what his or her individual personality is like so please also tell me something about your cat. Is he active or lazy, outgoing or shy? Does she love attention or like to be aloof?

The Initial Sketches

Once I have your photographs I'll start the working on the initial sketches. I usually do this using digital painting techniques. I'll be working on the composition, colour and character of the sitter. I'll show you the sketches as I work so you can see how the painting might look and this gives you the chance to make suggestions and ask for any changes if you don't like something. I won't start the painting itself until you are completely happy with the sketch.

The Final Painting

Once you are happy with the sketches and have approved the painting I'll start the painting itself. This might be in oils, acrylics or watercolour or even a digital painting. In this example, Saphir and Kiwi Playing, the finished painting is a 20 x 16 inch oil painting.

The oil painting in progress

The finished painting 'Saphir and Kiwi Playing'

For more examples and prices see The Painted Cat...

info@thepaintedcat.co.uk