Friday, February 8, 2013

Wolfish Grin

'Wolfish Grin' 
5" x 7" oil on panel
$65 plus $8 US shipping, or $16 International  


Okay, so this isn't a wolf, but it is usually so hard for me to come up with a title for each painting that when this one popped into my head I thought it was perfect. :) 

This dog's eyes had so many colors in them, pale amber, fiery burnt sienna, and even some sky blue. So beautiful. I used to wait to paint the eyes until I had the skin tones (or in this case, fur tones) built up a bit, but now I dive right into the eyes first. I don't like wasting my time to see if I got the most important thing right. 

Here's a peek at this painting in progress too: 


I was up most of the night with my little boy, who has had a recent bout with asthma, watching cartoons while he had his breathing treatments. I'm always overwhelmed with gratitude that he is my son, my precious little boy, when this happens. So thankful to have him in my life. :)


Have a great weekend everyone. Stay warm! Huzzah!!

Reference photo by Steven Bowler, thank you! 
Posted by Crystal Cook at 9:18 AM
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7 comments:

  1. Arena ShawnFebruary 8, 2013 at 10:49 AM

    This one is my new favorite -- I love how your use the mark of square brushes to indicate the abstract shapes of his fur pattern -- and those shapes are designed so nicely as well! Looking at the original reference photo, I realized that you actually deliberately designed those shapes -- because they are not at all evident on the reference photo! That has totally clicked with what I have learned in school the past year -- my teacher always emphasized for us to "design the halftone shapes" instead of just trying to copy nature. That is also what Taryn Day's painting...


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  2. _Frankb10February 8, 2013 at 12:15 PM

    The eyes are beautiful Crystal, I also usually leave these till last but now you've got me thinking.
    Hope your little boy is ok now.

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  3. hmuxoFebruary 8, 2013 at 1:56 PM

    OMGoodness, I love the photo of you and your son!! and this painting is beautiful! I love the eyes on this husky!!

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  4. Studio at the FarmFebruary 9, 2013 at 7:53 AM

    The "wolfish" eyes are superb, Crystal!
    And I love the photo of you and your son!!! I am sorry to read about his asthma. I hope so much he outgrows it!

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  5. Sandra BusbyFebruary 9, 2013 at 8:58 AM

    Amazing! Always, I am immediately won over by the eyes - every time!!!
    Oh and the photo of you and your baby..... Surely that has to be painted as part of your 'Smitten' series?? It's just too precious not to paint :0)

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  6. HeatherFebruary 9, 2013 at 5:20 PM

    Awesome painting! And I just love the photo of you and your little guy. My oldest suffers from the same and does those breathing treatments as needed. It can be tough being a mommy at those moments but the precious times (as pictured in your photo) make it all worth while, don't they?

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  7. Diana Moses BotkinFebruary 9, 2013 at 6:08 PM

    Wonderful piece, Crystal! I love the mood and you got just the right amount of detail without overdoing it.

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Thanks so much for taking the time to leave a comment they really do mean so much to me! Because not all bloggers have their email enabled so I can reply directly through email I will try to reply here in the comments. If I don't please forgive me, life must have been hectic that day! :)) Huzzah!!

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