I first took on the smooth, short haired dog as a bit of practice. I'm not sure my scan captures the colours but he's got some lovely tones and I was really happy with the outcome. I especially love the eyes!

Smooth Dog + Ponyo the Cat (+ Pippin) - image 1 - student project

While I listened to Jane paint the second, long haired dog, I chose to try out my own kitty, Ponyo. She's a tortie so lots of lovely colour and texture. I deviated a little from the technique, adding a few more details but using vibrant purples and oranges as well as her yellow eye. The salt texture for her fur came out better than I could have asked, so suited to her fur!

I started adding pure white whiskers but added a touch of blue so they stood out more on the pale paper. I'm quite proud of the eye, I think I can improve but the depth and shine look cool!

Smooth Dog + Ponyo the Cat (+ Pippin) - image 2 - student project

Smooth Dog + Ponyo the Cat (+ Pippin) - image 3 - student project

Smooth Dog + Ponyo the Cat (+ Pippin) - image 4 - student project

Edit: As I have two cats, I had to add another painting to my to-do list and got it done today! Pippin has less dramatic colouring than Ponyo and I also wanted the two portraits to go well together so I was a little intimidated but am pretty pleased with the outcome :) I plan to frame them both and put them up somewhere in our home to celebrate our furry gremlins.

Smooth Dog + Ponyo the Cat (+ Pippin) - image 5 - student project

Smooth Dog + Ponyo the Cat (+ Pippin) - image 6 - student project

Edit 2: I bought a couple of lightweight frames and these portraits now hang on our walls! Thanks to Jane for the inspiration, it was so fun to capture my babies :) I think it would be interesting to try a pet portrait of an animal who I'm less familiar with, whether I could capture them in the same way - I think I'm going to try my parents' dog next!

Smooth Dog + Ponyo the Cat (+ Pippin) - image 7 - student project

Smooth Dog + Ponyo the Cat (+ Pippin) - image 8 - student project

Kat M

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