Black Lab in Color by Janet Burt

Black dogs are notoriously difficult to paint - it's so hard to make the eyes stand out and the dark contours of the face show.  Personally I love to paint black dogs, because it gives me a chance to really let loose with creatively colored highlights.

This 16 x 16 inch square of Percy is my latest portrait, and a shining example of how black actually contains so many different hues.  According to physicists, black is the absence of color, but fortunately that is not the view of an artist!

Do you have a black dog that you love? Would you like to see him or her captured in color? Shoot me an email and let's get started!

German Shepherd Painting by Janet Burt

Though German Shepherds are one of the most popular dog breeds in the United States ( ranked #2), I have painted only a handful . . . perhaps those owners are not the ones most fond of dog art? In any case, a German Shepherd is one of my latest commissions, and what a beautiful dog!

This portrait is 12 x 18 inches, a strong rectangle like the pug I painted recently. I left the style here relatively loose, because I love the cadmium red background shining through the fur -- it makes my subject's face just seem to glow.

Here is the photo I used for reference, and a shot of my very early progress on the painting.

If you would like to see me transform a photograph of your dog into a work of fine art, please email me.  

As always, thank you for supporting my art.

Dueling White Dogs

For a quick lesson on what a dramatic impact background color or the facial expression of the subject have on a portrait, look no further than two of my latest portraits.  Both are paintings of white dogs -- one a bulldog, the other a mix -- yet these portraits are completely different in mood.

When the subject is looking directly at the camera, as in the first painting, tongue out, on a cheerful red background, the entire portrait suggests joy, happiness, exuberance.

The second portrait has a completely different appeal.  The serious gaze of the subject, soft lighting coming from the side, and a warm, amber background color combine to suggest thoughtfulness and peace.

What's the mood of your favorite dog? What color and pose would best capture his or her personality best? Email me and let's figure it out!