Did this pastel painting over the last few days. Trying to learn how to do pet portraits.

[LiberalLoner]

People seem to like getting portraits of their pets so it seems like something useful for me to do.

Thank you to anyone who looks, comments. Always grateful for constructive criticism, always hoping to learn and improve,

Thank you ❤️😍☮️


[url=https://postimg.cc/4mdPGhrH][img][/img][/url]

[Tomconroy]

1. Wow! Really good.

[LiberalLoner]

56. Thank you! 😍

[Docreed2003]

2. That is stunning! Very nice work!

[LiberalLoner]

57. Thank you! 😍

[2naSalit]

3. Looks nice!

[LiberalLoner]

58. Thank you! 😍

[niyad]

4. That is just wonderful.

[LiberalLoner]

59. Thank you! 😍

[Diamond_Dog]

5. Fabulous!

Your shadows and lighting, superb!

How did you create all the very fine lines such as in her whiskers? I’m not very competent in pastel.

[LiberalLoner]

60. Thank you! 😍 sharpened pastel pencils! 🤗

[riverbendviewgal]

6. Beautiful portrait.

You have talent! Keep on what you are doing.

[LiberalLoner]

61. Thank you! 😍

[FalloutShelter]

7. Just gorgeous.

[LiberalLoner]

62. Thank you! 😍

[Sanity Claws]

8. You captured the cat's expression of love

You are an artist!

[LiberalLoner]

63. Thank you! 😍

[CrispyQ]

9. The light off the eye is amazing!

Almost looks like a photograph it's so life like. Excellent work!

[Rebl2]

22. That caught

my attention too. The eyes are amazing! Wonderful pet portrait!

[LiberalLoner]

64. Thank you! 😍

[KarenS]

10. absolutely beautiful. n/t

[LiberalLoner]

65. Thank you! 😍

[sinkingfeeling]

11. That is great. So life-like.

[LiberalLoner]

78. Thank you! 😍

[Tree-Hugger]

12. That is so beautiful

The light on individual hairs....just

Gorgeous kitty portrait - you are very talented.

[LiberalLoner]

79. Thank you! 😍

[ChazInAz]

13. Soulful portrait

Fur is especially difficult to render, but you got it.
Very good, indeed!

[LiberalLoner]

80. Thank you! 😍

[MontanaMama]

14. The eyes...

Really wonderful.

[LiberalLoner]

81. Thank you friend! 😍

[dixiechiken1]

15. Gorgeous. Absolutely GORGEOUS! ❤️

I can't believe the amount of detail - the reflection of light in the eyes, the fur that looks soft & touchable, and the whiskers. So lifelike! You are truly talented, Liberal.

[LiberalLoner]

82. Thank you! 😍

[woodsprite]

16. That is absolutely AWESOME!!! I love the reflection in the eyes!!!

I have done paintings (watercolor and oil) and pen/ink drawings, etc. but have never ventured into the pastel medium. Did you use oil or chalk pastels?

[LiberalLoner]

83. Thank you! Chalk pastels, they are so much fun to use! 😍

[Scrivener7]

17. Let me know when you decide to take contracts. I am thinking of two loved ones

for whom this would be a treasured gift.

[LiberalLoner]

84. Thank you so much!!! I feel I need to do a few more practice pieces first 😍

[Scrivener7]

105. It's georgeous. PM me when you think you're ready.

What a Christmas gift that would be!

[LiberalLoner]

111. Thank you, I will, so kind of you! 😍😍😍

[Lonestarblue]

18. Wow! That is beautiful.

[LiberalLoner]

85. Thank you! 😍

[Danmel]

19. Beautiful

Can I commission your work?

[LiberalLoner]

86. Thank you so much!!! I'm not quite ready yet, want to do a few more practice works, scared

Of messing up and disappointing someone willing to pay me for my art. But I will contact you when I feel more confident! 😍

[CaptainTruth]

20. Wow!!! That's amazing!

All those little hairs, & the detail in the eye is incredible.

It's beautiful!!!

[LiberalLoner]

87. Thank you! 😍

[cate94]

21. That is beautifully executed

And a very sensitive portrait.

[LiberalLoner]

88. Thank you! 😍

[panader0]

23. Recommended. You have a real talent.

What do you charge for such a portrait?

[LiberalLoner]

89. Thank you! 😍 haven't gotten there yet, kind of still practicing? 😍

[mopinko]

24. very, very nice. good niche, i think.

my sister is a photographer, and if i lived closer, we would do pet portraits. me to wrangle, her to shoot. she gets asked often.
i know a couple people who do pet portraits as a side gig, and it helps pay the bills. and it's happy work.

just one critique, tho. the right eye needs some light.

[LiberalLoner]

90. Thank you so much! I am so grateful for help, I really do want to get better! 😍 pet

Portraits do sound like they are something people might like, plus wildlife portraits, I might concentrate on that field for awhile. Thank you again! I hope you do get to do portrait photos with your sister some day! 😍😍😍

[mopinko]

106. she's just far enough away to make it hard.

and she doesnt do that much photography since i got her elected in '18.

here's another tip- look at it upside down. make sure your eye goes where you want it to go.

[LiberalLoner]

109. Oh, yes, I totally forgot about that trick, thank you so so much!!! ❤️❤️❤️

[mopinko]

108. feel free to shoot me a pm if you post something i dont comment.

it's nice to use my crit chops. art school was a long time ago.

[LiberalLoner]

110. Oh you are so incredibly generous, that offer means the world to me! 😍😍😍😍😍

[sheshe2]

25. So life like.

You are incredibly talented.

[LiberalLoner]

91. Thank you! 😍

[Klondike Kat]

26. Very nice!

Looks similar to our cat Chuck.

I think the tip of the nose is a bit "off". Seems a bit skewed to me. However, I'm not an artist by any stretch of the imagination so you can take that for what it's worth.

[LiberalLoner]

92. Thank you, and thank you for helping me get better! 😍

[NJCher]

27. that

is amazing.

[LiberalLoner]

93. Thank you! 😍

[PatSeg]

28. Wonderful

You really nailed the eyes!

[LiberalLoner]

94. Thank you! 😍

[3Hotdogs]

29. Beautiful.

I think the nose may be off center. But I’m looking on small screen so I won’t put money on it.

[LiberalLoner]

95. Thank you, and thank you for helping me. You are right! 😍

[HAB911]

30. Love it!

[LiberalLoner]

96. Thank you! 😍

[3catwoman3]

31. The green eye is gorgeous, and I wanted...

...to reach into the painting and stroke the soft-looking fur.

I do agree with the 2 earlier commenters that something is "off" about the nose.

[LiberalLoner]

97. Thank you so much, and thank you for helping me! 😍

[3catwoman3]

107. I'm so envious of your talent.

The only thing I can paint is walls!

[LiberalLoner]

142. 😍😍😍

[fierywoman]

32. OMG gorgeous !!!

[LiberalLoner]

98. Thank you! 😍

[wendyb-NC]

33. That's really beautiful

Keep doing art! That's a wonderful idea, doing pet portraits, to give to those who love them. I am impressed by your work. Thank you for sharing it.

[LiberalLoner]

99. Thank you so much! 😍

[Auggie]

34. Art Director's critique (well, you asked):

First, it's an awesome effort. Congratulations. Your stroke work captures the fur texture magnificently. Great lighting, design and crop!

Had I commissioned this commercially, I'd ask you to push the saturation of colors a little more, particularly the yellow and green areas, and increase the density of the black areas. Also, the gray area in the lower left is a little too light and draws the attention away from that beautiful feline face. I'm not a pastel expert, but I do know they're pretty unforgiving, so I'd urge you to make changes with a light touch.

Also, the cat's left eye doesn't look quite right to me though I imagine it matches your reference material. The nose looks slightly out of perspective too.

This critique comes from evaluating commercial illustration and photography over four decades. It's not the final word or necessarily correct. But it's what I see.

Looking forward to seeing more of your work. You have an incredible talent. Thanks for sharing.

[LiberalLoner]

40. Wow, thank you so very very much! I am blushing! And the critique is appreciated

More than I can say, it is exactly what I need to help me on my artistic journey! Thank you so so much!

I do struggle with drawing, and that is something I MUST learn to get right, there is no painting without a proper drawing. Sometimes I despair at ever getting better at drawing.

Thank you so so much!
❤️❤️❤️

[demigoddess]

35. perfect!! for a second, I thought it was a photo. But then better than a

photo. Art!!

[LiberalLoner]

100. Thank you!!! 😍

[secondwind]

36. Beautiful!

[LiberalLoner]

101. Thank you! 😍

[Sienna86]

37. Quite lovely.

Let us know if you have contact information.

[LiberalLoner]

102. Thank you! I will when I feel more confident in my abilities! 😍

[pandr32]

38. Looks like you learned!

Excellent!!!!!!!!!

[LiberalLoner]

103. Thank you! I want to practice some more though! 😍

[pandr32]

137. Definitely! Never stop!

[LiberalLoner]

140. 😍

[bif]

39. Absolutely stunning!

I don't think you have a lot more to learn. You've pretty much mastered it!

[LiberalLoner]

104. Thank you so much, fellow artist friend!!! 😍

[LiberalLoner]

41. OMG you guys I am overwhelmed, I will have to give individual replies later but THANK YOU!❤️❤️❤️

[Saoirse9]

42. If you decide to do pet portraits

I hope you will post a link to order one. I would love to have one of both my dogs.

[LiberalLoner]

113. Thank you so much! 😍

[Ocelot II]

43. Excellent, especially the eyes.

Pastels are so tricky - all I can do with them is make a smeary mess - and you've done a great job here!

[LiberalLoner]

114. Thank you! 😍

[Pepsidog]

44. Wow! Very talented.

[LiberalLoner]

115. Thank you! 😍

[Traildogbob]

45. Wow

Just wow. You have a gift. The eye, magical. If that kind of talent was near me, I’d pay for my two labs and my daughters 2 dogs and two cats. I would first hire the painter to do the pitty she lost a year ago. Her first and the one that helped her deal with her mom losing cancer battle. That dog gave her love and strength. You can help a lot of people with your gift. Thank you for sharing. Please share more.

[LiberalLoner]

116. Thank you so so much! 😍

[Trueblue1968]

46. how wonderful. you are SO TALENTED. i would love you to do my 5 cats !!!

[LiberalLoner]

117. Thank you so much! 😍

[samplegirl]

47. It's beautiful

You can do my cat!

Great Job!!!!!!

[LiberalLoner]

118. Thank you! 😍

[lunatica]

48. That's excellent.

It’s a very successful portrait! I love the reflections in the cat’s eye. I’ve gazed into my cat’s eyes like that and seen many incredible thing. I think you’ve captured the cats eyes beautifully and completely. All of it is outstanding! The soft fur and the whiskers and the pink nose make me want to pick the cat up and snuggle! My cat is a tabby just like that one and for a split second I thought your drawing was of him! It’s truly lovely to get pulled in like that because it filled me with all the emotions I feel for my cat as soon as I set eyes on it.

This portrait is quite successful. It’s perfect in every way. I don’t see a thing that could be improved!

[LiberalLoner]

119. Thank you so so much my kind friend. Your comments always mean the whole world to me,

And just knowing a real artists sees value in my work, encourages me to keep painting. You are my sunshine! I wish we lived closer so I could take you to lunch or dinner or something nice! 😍😍😍

[japple]

49. Beautiful work. You captured the kitty spirit right there.

Thank you for sharing this piece.

[LiberalLoner]

120. Thank you! 😍

[Riverman100]

50. Beautiful

Just wow

[LiberalLoner]

121. Thank you! 😍

[Richard D]

51. Gorgeous! (nt)

[Joinfortmill]

52. Wow! I think you've got it.

[LiberalLoner]

122. Thank you! 😍

[Escurumbele]

53. Fantastic...Only one small comment which you can fix very fast...

The nose needs to have the same angle as the rest of the face. See how the nose ends too soon, needs to continue a bit to the left to match the angle. I am talking about the tip of the nose, the pink part.

Everything else is fantastic, real command of pastel, which I have always found to be difficult, reason why I stay with oil. I admire people who do your kind of work on pastel and water colors...

You nailed it, even though it is almost a profile, the expression of the eyes is magnificent.

Good job, you are an excellent artist.

[Sucha NastyWoman]

54. One of the best pet portraits I've ever seen.

Really gorgeous.

[LiberalLoner]

123. Wow, thank you!!! 😍

[Dem_in_Nebr.]

55. One Question

How did you get a cat to sit still for that long?

Gorgeous painting though!

[LiberalLoner]

124. LOL thank you! 😍

[suncat]

66. It must have been satisfying

to concentrate on your beloved cat for hours! He looks like a great companion. You have got your technique for imaging fur close to, if not perfect!

I just picked up some pastels (not cheap) but I haven't begun yet. I am a little hesitant to begin...

[LiberalLoner]

125. Yeah, pastels are an investment at first...worth it though...you shouldn't be afraid,

They are the most fun medium ever, you will be hooked!

Thank you so much! 😍 not my kitty, just from a photo.

Oh I can’t wait to see your pastel paintings in this group, I hope you will share them!😍

[karin_sj]

67. Wow!

So beautiful! I love it!

[LiberalLoner]

126. Thank you! 😍

[femmedem]

68. Just gorgeous. You can feel the cat's soul.

Along with the wonderful technique, you've composed it beautifully. It's rare to see a pet portrait cropped like this and it creates a lovely sense of intimacy.

The tiniest suggestion, which a couple of other people have mentioned: the centerline along the pink of the nose lines up with the centerline of the mouth, as it should. But see how to the right of the centerline on the mouth there is only a tiny bit of mouth showing? But to the right of the centerline on the nose there's still a fairly substantial amount of pink nose. So it looks as if the nose is facing us a bit more than the rest of the cat is. But this is a tiny detail, one that I didn't notice right away. It's a gorgeous portrait and one you should feel very proud of. I think that you'll have plenty of business if you want to start doing this professionally.

[LiberalLoner]

127. Oh thank you so much! I posted a new post with the change you suggested, hope it looks less

Wonky now!

Thank you so much for your kind words and encouragement and help! 😍

[femmedem]

138. You're welcome!

The correction looks good, and I love the new portrait as well.

And it's easier to critique than to draw: I couldn't have drawn either one of those portraits.

[Demovictory9]

69. Nice!!!

[LiberalLoner]

128. Thank you! 😍

[Trueblue Texan]

70. That is completely amazing! nt

[LiberalLoner]

129. Thank you! 😍

[TigressDem]

71. LOVE IT. Soft sweet and the eye shine!!

Just for fun... saw this today and think you are in good company with subject matter.







https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.boredpanda.com%2Fcat-bushes-thetopiarycat%2F&psig=AOvVaw3CvMBpeH1NB3LiZVHYtJqe&ust=1653010865131000&source=images&cd=vfe&ved=0CAwQjRxqFwoTCJjGu7236vcCFQAAAAAdAAAAABAE

[CrispyQ]

112. That is fabulous!

Oh look, a kitty under the ladder.

[LiberalLoner]

130. Thank you! 😍 what a cool photo, thanks for sharing it!

[pansypoo53219]

72. i never drew or water color/oil painted whiskers. + it seems to work.

[LiberalLoner]

131. Thank you! 😍 it's a soft pastel painting. 😍

[pansypoo53219]

143. i am a nu pastel fan. i liked the lines better. the white is probably better for lines.

[pansypoo53219]

144. i am a nu pastel fan. i liked the lines better. the white is probably better for lines.

[BigmanPigman]

73. That looks like it was fun to paint.

I like dry brush. Did you do that for the fine hair/whiskers?

[LiberalLoner]

132. Thank you! It was fun! 😍 actually it's a work in soft pastel! Impossible to tell from photos,

I know. But pastel sticks and pastel pencils. 😍

[SleeplessinSoCal]

74. Astonishing how eyes and fur appear so differently

As if different mediums. Yet look so real.

[LiberalLoner]

133. Thank you so much! 😍. I love working in soft pastel, it's an amazing medium.

[SleeplessinSoCal]

139. I dabbled for a short time and can see how you love it.

Thanks for sharing.

[LiberalLoner]

141. 😍

[majdrfrtim]

75. Superb!!

Thank you for sharing you prodigious talent with us mere mortals!

[LiberalLoner]

134. OMG I'm cracking up but thank you thank you thank you! 😍😍😍

[KT2000]

76. You got the expression

so beautifully. Love it!

[LiberalLoner]

135. Thank you! 😍

[Desert_Leslie]

77. Gorgeous!

Simply beautiful ... love the interplay of lights and darks. Lost my beloved 9yo cat Cutie two days ago to aggressive large cell lymphoma.

[LiberalLoner]

136. Oh I am so so sorry for your loss. 😭 it's devastating to lose beloved fur babies.

Thank you for your kind comments even in the midst of your suffering. You are a very good person. 😍😍😍