"Paintings have a life of their own that derives from the painter's soul." Vincent Van Gogh

Friday, June 27, 2014

Guinness

Guinness / oil on canvas panel / 24x18
What a challenge! Guinness is a 9 year old 180 lb black furry mountain of a Newfoundland dog. My daughter asked me to paint it as a surprise gift for her boss. I sure hope he likes it!

20 comments:

  1. He will! Your unique was with colour makes for a very lively and endearing portrait. What a great name for a dog too. Hope all is good with you Susan.

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    1. Yes, isn't Guinness the greatest name for him! I love it too! Thanks, Tina.

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  2. What a beauty! I love the different colors you used in his coat!

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    1. Thanks, Judy. It was a dilemma in deciding how to approach this huge mound of black fur. Glad you like it!

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  3. Susan, this is a wonderful portrait of this lovely Dog. It shows his character, a softy.
    It really is a wonderful painting. The owner has got to love it. I give you full marks here Susan. All the best.
    Vic.

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    1. I will ship it out to him some time in mid July. Until then, I am keeping my fingers crossed that he will be pleased. So glad you like it, Vic. Whenever I paint for someone else (as opposed to painting only for myself) I always have such great trepidation.

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  4. Love his name!
    Those eyes and oh, that tongue....how marvelous is that! Love it.

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    1. Was fun to paint, Julie - and in every reference photo, that pink tongue was lolling out so I had to paint it!

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  5. The rendering of his shaggy coat is outstanding. I love all the color you worked into it. A sweetheart of a canine!

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    1. I struggled with how to handle so much black but my daughter told me that her boss loves my work and spent over an hour with her looking at my website not too long ago. So I decided to just go for it and paint him in my own style - and hence, all the color.

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  6. Susan, ik vind hem heel mooi, perfect in uw stijl voorgesteld.
    Simonne

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    1. I am pleased - but will wait for the final determination from the woner!

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  7. I LOVE this, Susan!!! Had to drag my eyes away to write you a note. The hair, the tongue lolling out, the goofy look in his eyes that only Newfie could have ...
    your daughter's boss will love it and treasure it!
    Kathryn

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    1. Thanks, Kathryn. I used 4 different reference photos - none of them ideal for a painting but plowed ahead anyway. I am hoping that they love it - will let you know!

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  8. He will he will ! How can you not love this gorgeous and funny rendering of Guinness , just absolutely amazing !

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    1. Oh, I hope so, Jane! I hope I caught some of the personality of this very special dog!

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  9. Ruff! Ruff! Like it? He better love it!
    So well done Susan! The best part of this work is that it still has all of your very distinctive, interesting, colorful, wonderful style! Happy Dog!!
    (I am working on two "dog portraits!" Hope to post soon!"
    Bravo buddy!
    Michael

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    1. I am so happy to hear that he LOVES it, Michael! I am happy and relieved! And I can't wait to see your dog portraits. I love painting dogs but commissions sometimes throw me!

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  10. I see a lot of hard work here and great result. For a second I thought that he was your next live model..

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    1. He was a joy to paint, Irina - and I think that because my daughter asked me to take on this project, it flowed rather beautifully!

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Your comments are welcome and brighten my day!