Paint a Naturalistic Dog Portrait in Acrylic

1. Intro: Hi, everyone. My name is Krista, and I want to welcome you to my very first skill share class. How to paint a naturalistic dog portrait in acrylic. So to start out, I'll tell you a little bit about myself. Um, I am a fine artist. I guess you could say I do have a bachelor's degree in studio art with a concentration and painting, and my full time job is managing and instructing at a painting studio. So I have a lot of experience working with, ah, people that don't have any experience painting have never picked up a paintbrush all the way up to, you know, other artists. So I want to make this class similar in that it's easy for everybody to dio, so you don't need any experience to take my class. I'll take you through it, step by step from picking a reference photos of planning your composition and finally painting all pain along with you and coach you through. You know, potential snags you could hit and how to overcome them in the and you'll have created a dog portrait you can be proud off. Um, so in the next video, I'll show you the supplies that work best for me. One creating pet portrait's and let's get started 2. Supplies: So I'm going to show you what my workspace looks like when I'm starting a new pet portrait and the supplies I like to use. You are welcome to use any supplies that you want. They don't need to match up with mine. It's religious trial and error to kind of find what works for you and what makes you comfortable. Um, so the ones I'm going to show you now are just the supplies that I like the most and work best for me. But like I said, it's different for everybody. So there's multiple kinds of acrylic paints, such a soft body, heavy body and fluid. For this class, I'll be using mostly soft body acrylic paints. That's like the most common kind that you can get it. Michael's are a Seymour, any craft store, even Wal Mart. I have a hearty mix of liquid Tex and Dick Blick brand paints, but a lot of paints. I mean, you can't really tell the difference. If you want to be super fancy, you can get something, um, you know, way more expensive, but these air affordable and they you know the application is smooth. They're easy to work with, I love him. So that's why I use those. Um, you need something to put your paints on. So a palette of some kind you can use an actual palate palette, paper or even a paper plate. If you don't have anything else, it works just as good. Um, you'll need at least three brushes, a larger medium and a small. The large one I'm going to use is about an inch wide on its flat, since, like a one inch flat wash brush than two smaller brushes, the smallest one should be super, teeny, tiny. Just you can get all those little fancy details. You know those little eyeball details on that juicy. The juicy little knows details, Um, and then finally, you'll need something to paint on. So there's so many options that work well with acrylic paint. I'm going to use a canvas, but you're welcome to use whatever you'd like. You just remember that paint acts differently. Depending on the surface, the application will vary. I love to paint on wood panels, but it really likes to soak up paint. You have to make sure you apply, you know, thicker layers or more layers, Um, at a time, so it all just depends. But for this class today, I'm going to use a canvas because it's, I feel like it's the easiest one, especially for just getting started. It's the easiest surface to paint on. Um, also make sure you have plenty of paper tails and a cup of water to clean your brushes in. You can use regular paper towels. They work totally fine. I just really like shop tales that you can buy it. WalMart, er, Home Depot or whatever. I just find their super absorb it, and I can use them for a long time. I'm a super slob when I paint, so I always make sure I have a whole entire roll of paper towels. Not that I'm gonna use the whole thing, but just in case there's, you know, situation that I need to clean up real quick, Um, I'll have tons of paper tales and also a nice big cup of water 3. Choosing a Reference Photo: Choosing a photo is pretty simple. You just want to make sure it's clear and high resolution, so you can see as many details as possible. Also well lit. You want the colors to be as Trudeau life as possible. You don't wanna have to make too many details up as it can get frustrating and look less naturalistic or realistic. If this is your first go on a dog portrait, I highly recommend that you stick with a very simple photo just ahead shot. No open mouths, no tongues and know full bodies, legs and paws. After you get the hang of this, then branch out and try some. You know, more portrait's with an open mouth or Paul's or nails. Um, but for now you want to try and just master, you know the face. That's the most important part. So that's what we're gonna focus on. You can sketch out your dog image onto your surface. If you aren't super artistic, you can always use a projector or transfer paper to trace your image into one of the surface. We're just focusing on painting the portrait in this video. So maybe in a separate video, I'll show tips on sketching out your pet before painting. But really, if you are just starting out, it's probably best. If you just, you know, use some transfer paper, which you can get at any craft store. Also, it's just got graphite on one side, and you kind of place it face down with your picture on top. Trace over the details you want on your canvas or your surface, and then you can see all the details. It will transfer it on there so you don't have toe. Worry about sketching anything out to start. 4. Creating a Strong Composition: you want to make sure, um, that your pet is positioned where it looks you know, kind of normal. You don't want to leave big empty spaces on one side of your your surface. You wanna? If nothing else. If you're unsure, just center the dog's face on your surface. Um, I also wouldn't recommend doing a floating head unless you're going for a creepy vibe. Then you're welcome, Teoh. But I would probably just try to center the face and then kind of have the neck, um, going down to the bottom of the surface and then have it cut off the at the bottom. 5. Background: you should start with the background so you don't have to worry about painting around wild strands of for later pick any color color's you want. I like to have a pretty plain background with some texture. That way it is in too boring but doesn't take away from the actual portrait. For this background, I'm using fellow blue halo, green and white and my largest brush. It's about an inch wide, and it's a flat brush. You can use whatever is comfortable for you don't to do what I'm doing. Also, don't feel like you have to paint as fast as me. I've just been painting a long time, and that's why I paint so quickly. But take your time. Um, so anyway, just tripled it. My brush. 123 and each color. And it gives me those streaks naturally surrounds. Put in too much effort and then I like Teoh Kind of have a little bit of extra, you know, variation. So I had a little Grady int. So I add a little more white around the actual dog drawing, and it is better to do a little bit too much than not enough. You don't want to end up having a halo around the outside of your dog, so if you paint over your pencil lines a little bit, it's not a big deal. 6. Colorblocking: take a good look at your photo reference. Notice the colors of the dog. And by that I mean, really Take note of the colors. If you look at my photo reference, it's a tan dog. Yes, but there's more than just one shade of tan going on here. And when I've taught pet portrait paintings in the past, many people say, Yeah, but my dog is this color. You need different shades, values, tones and a light source. If you look at your photo reference and say, Oh, this dog is black, you're not really taking note to the colors. Yes, it is a black dog, but black for May have shades of brown, gray, purple or even blue in them. So you really need to observe the photo and paint what you see, not what you think should be there. So if nothing else, look at it and don't think of it as a dog. Think of it as blocks of color that always helped me when I would struggle, especially with, um, you know, for and even when painting eyes or portrait's, when you try to pin what you think you see or what should be there it turns out poorly. You want to just forget what the subject is and just look at the shapes and the lines and where they live. And that's what you want to focus on. Um, you don't want to paint it just one flat color just because you think it's, you know, a black dog. You don't a painted all black or it's gonna just look like a flat black blob with eyeballs , and it's gonna look crazy. You just have to trust that your portrait is going to turn out fine. If you're struggling with anything or need help with anything, please don't hesitate to reach out to me. Um, I will get back to a soon as I possibly can, and I'll try to help you, however I can. They're so highlights don't really matter. So if you're looking at a pet portrait or photo and the pets for is, you know there's some white wispy is on top, but it's tan underneath painted tan, and then we go to do the next step, which is adding, you know, for details and details in general. Then you will put the highlight for on top, and then it'll look more dimensional and more realistic. What you're really looking for in color blocking is a smooth transition from color to color . You want to start with the darkest colors and work your way up to the lightest colors. And don't feel like you can't go back and redo or add more toe. One of those shades. Just because you did all the darks and you're all the way up to the lights doesn't mean you can't go back and add a little bit more dark in some area. If you feel like it needs it, don't forget to post your progress. One. The Project page. Even if you're not super proud of what you're doing, everybody wants to see. I want to see how you guys air making out. Um, also remember that your painting is gonna look kind of crappy up until, like the very last few steps, don't get discouraged. Don't give up. If you get frustrated, take a break. Whether it's a five minute break or you come back to it the next day, give your eyes a break from looking at it and then come back to it with fresh eyes and try some more E I always recommend doing a very light grey wash on the eyes and the nose and then just finishing them last. So just watering down, mixed together black and white, paint lots of white, little bit of black, and water it down and then just kind of do a light layer over the eyes and the nose, because once your pain, everything else, it can be distracting having those white bits staring back at you. Um, it does help to kind of tone them down a little bit, so it's not the only thing that you're staring at the whole time. 7. Details: - I pretty much have all of the under layers completed a color blocking. Now I'm starting to add some detail. I have trouble staying in one area. Um, as you can see, I tend to jump around a lot, which isn't necessarily a bad thing. But if you're watching this video, you might be thinking, Why is she all over the police? That's just how I work. I get bored very easily. So moving around the painting helps me to stay engaged. Um, you may discover you work better that way as well, Or maybe like to complete one section at a time. There's no right or wrong. Everybody paints differently. If you look at my reference photo, take note of the details around the eyes. Most dogs have I liner. I guess you could call it. They're water lines are black or very dark brown. When you're painting these areas, just pay careful attention to how they fade into the for. What you don't want is an M o dog with thick, really harsh black eyeliner around their eyes. You wanted toe kind of fade gently into the rest of their for on their face. Um, it'll look much more natural. If you don't do that and you just have these thick black rings around their eyes, it's gonna distract you from the rest of the painting. You can see how I'm blending it out slowly. It doesn't happen immediately, just like everything else there. Stages and layers also notice. I'm using very little pressure one, because you're making delicate lines and the more pressure you put on your brush. The factory airlines will be and two brushes themselves or pretty delicate. And if you beat him up, there's a good chance you'll lose that nice, sexy shape and you won't be able to get it back. Then you'll have to buy new brushes. And then everybody is sad When painting the eyeballs again noticed the shapes that maketh EI and fill them in one by one. This will help you achieve a more realistic looking. I notice the colors as well, Just like with every other step that we've done so far. The whites of the eyes are probably not perfectly white, so be sure to tone them down a bit, either with a little tiny bit of black or maybe a little tiny bit of blue where brown. Just they're not totally bright, stark white. Also, be sure to add a shine spot to the eyes again. They may not be white white, so just take a close look at what color they actually are. Um, even if there is in shine spots in the eyes in your photo, you should definitely try to add them in. It will instantly bring your portrait toe life. I'm adding both white and light blue highlights to my dogs. Eyes. Um, the only thing you want to remember about the highlights is if you don't have them in your photo, make sure you keep them out of the center of your pupils or your dog will look possessed. So try to keep them up to the top sides somewhere. Notice the direction the fur is growing. You want your brush looks to mimic them. This will give your dog even more dimension and add to the naturalistic style of the painting. This is where you can add your highlights. Those little highlights we were talking about earlier, Um, all those really, really light, um, maybe even white, depending on the color of your dog. Uh, little tiny for brushstrokes. Look at the latest areas in your reference photo and use the smallest brush. Get those little anybody highlight brush strokes in their, um, really take note again to the direction of the for that's super important. That's one of the most important parts of capturing the realistic nature of the painting. 8. Recap: so things to remember. Keep in mind whatever. Um, make sure you choose the right surface. Make sure it's a surface that is compatible with acrylic paint. Like I said, if you're beginning, this is your first time doing a pet portrait. Definitely. Consider starting with a canvas. Um, a quality clear, high resolution photo is key to a successful dog or pet portrait in general. Any portrait. Really, Um, you want to be able to see as much details you possibly can, so you can, in turn, you know, transfer that into your painting. Eyes and nose are also key to a naturalistic pet portrait. Again, really take note to the shapes. That is the most important thing that you need to remember. I know it's difficult, but even if you have to turn your painting upside down and paint it that way, anything to help you not focus on what the object or part of the painting actually is and just focus on shapes and color, it takes time to develop your painting. Okay, so remember that it's all about layering that it's gonna take lots of time to develop it into the final products. You need to be patient and just, you know, have faith that it's gonna turn out. Okay, you are the only one that will know when your painting is complete. Work on your painting for a so long as you feel like you need to. When you're finally finished with the painting, you'll definitely know it. If you need to take a break where you're getting frustrated, that means it's time for a break. Take a break. Whether it's a five minute break or a two day break, take as much time as you need away from your painting. It will help you. You can come back with fresh eyes, and then you'll know exactly what you need to dio for your next steps. Also, remember to post all of your progress in the Projects Gallery as well as your final painting, even if you're not super proud of what you're working on, um, or the status of your painting at that particular time. Like I said, it's gonna take steps and steps. It's gonna look crazy for a long time before it starts to come together, and that's okay. We want to learn from each other, and if you need anything, you know, Ask as many questions as you want. I will totally help you with anything that you need. And I want to thank you guys so much for taking my class. I really appreciate it. And I hope you learned something, and I can't wait to see her projects.