Painting a Pit Bull on Canvas by Pet Portrait Artist Julie Deans

This dog was just gorgeous, so I had to give it a whirl. The above is a new style that will be available for pet portraits. Acrylic on canvas or illustration board, this style is more about shape than detail, but really portrays the subject nicely.

This piece isn't quite done yet as I need to add a few more dark areas in the ears, and of course, my signature, but I had an itch to get it on the blog right away. And yes, I will have more samples soon, but baby E keeps cutting into (in a good way) my painting time.

So, if you're looking for an acrylic painting of your pet in this style, please feel free to contact me at julie@juliesillustration.com or check out my website for more details www.juliesillustration.com

I'm Addicted! Artist, Julie Deans

The little guy is really quite photogenic, so he's been added to my list of favorite things to photograph along side the little dog for number one spot.

And I can't resist photos of them together - it's really quite the combination, especially since it doubles the cuteness factor. Little boys and Jack Russells go well together.

The little dog was not impressed with this pose. She loathes Halloween because it means that she has to wear her Bee costume. You'd think she'd get used to it by now, since every year I dress her up (the little kids love it!), but noooooo, putting it on is, to her, the equivalent of pouring acid on her back. Can't you see the hate in her eyes? Plus it makes her look fat. Gawd, I can't even do it up, had to tie it on with a shoelace this year, so next year, thanks to two crazy sisters, she will be a skeleton and she'll hate that just as much.

I have two portrait sessions coming up in the next couple weeks, and will post some of the results after they are complete. If anyone is looking to have photos taken of their dogs, please feel free to contact me or visit my website: www.juliesillustration.com and check out the photography page for details.

Two Westies - by Artist Julie Deans

Say hello to my latest dual creation. These two cuties are West Highland White Terriers. My parents have one of these feisty little creatures, and they definitely have the "terrier" attitude (if you don't know the 'tude, you're in for a big surprise when you find out, just ask Brandy). These guys were a blast to draw, the perfect pose for a great portrait!

Completed on Strathmore Bristol Smooth, 8"x10", in pencil. My clients were really pleased with this piece, and I'm always ecstatic when I can put a smile on someone's face after creating a portrait for them.

To see more portraits, check out my website at:

www.juliesillustration.com

Milo's Acrylic Portrait is Complete!

Whew, after a long, hard fought battle with the 36"x36" canvas, I have finally overcome all odds, and am now victorious!

I will let the pictures tell the story for this one. I've compiled all of the progress photos so that you can actually see how the painting took shape over time. And of course, Brandy pitched in at the end.

It was very satisfying to work on a piece this large as the progress was so obvious all the way along ... helps with motivation.

Background and outline first

Under painting - have a lot of ground to cover

Blocking in depth and shadows

Starting to take shape

Highlights, outlines and shadows, he looks like a real dog now

Final highlights and shadows, touch ups on the outlines

Signature, and ahhhh, completion

Apparently it's extraordinarily stressful to pose in front of a painting for me

Meet Jake - Jack Russell Rescue of Ontario

Hi, my name is Jake and I am, a great loving guy of 6 yrs old. I am a wonderfully well mannered guy who only needs a new home cause my mommy doesn't have enough time anymore to give me the life I had and deserve. I love to cuddle and walk, and play and wiggle. I am great in the house and have never had accidents! I have been through obedience training and am wonderfully trained! I am good with other doggies and people too! My mommy is so sad to see her 'best bud' go, but she knows I would be happier somewhere that I get to see people more and have more interactive time with them... I simply LIVE for my people friends! I am healthy and neutered and vaccinated and all ready to go! Adoption fee $250

Jake is up-to-date with routine shots, house trained and spayed/neutered.

See more pictures of Jake and visit his Pet Finder page below:

http://www.petfinder.com/petdetail/16591348

Need more information or want to find out how you can help?

Visit:

www.russellrescue.org

Interested in having your rescue dogs portrait drawn? Check out my webpage below or send me an email.

www.juliesillustration.com

Contest Winner Portrait Complete!

Well, certainly I'm not back at full speed here, which I'm sure most of you have noticed. Though accepting portraits and design work, I won't be back blogging again at my usual pace until sometime after May 20th (moving day!).

I wanted to share the portrait that was completed for Shelley, the winner of my portrait contest.

This is beautiful Maggie, the black and tan coonhound. A gorgeous dog, with tons of expression in that sweet face. Though Maggie is no longer with us, Shelley still deeply cherishes her, and this is what she had to say about the portrait:

"Wow, that is amazing.  You do beautiful work.  It brings tears to my eyes.  You were able to keep the soft expression in her eyes.  She has real doe eyes, and I can see them so clearly."

This portrait was great to work on as it gave me the opportunity to work with a lot of darker shades, great for depth, shadows and highlights. Congratulations once again Shelley on the contest win!