I think the most important thing to keep in mind when painting an animal portrait is the same as for a human portrait, and that is to reflect in some way, through colors, action, or expression, the subject's personality.

Since it isn't usually too convenient to sketch and paint other people's pets from life, I find myself doing most from photographs. And if I am lucky enough to have snapped a few myself, like the one I used to paint the cat in the above portrait, I can usually find what I am looking for.  

In this particular instance, the cat loved sleeping in this large pottery bowl that remained heated by the overhead light, it was an unusual place for a nap, and I thought it would make a great painting!  

It's even better if the pet owner has a collection of favorites that they feel really gives insight into the animals personality, or in some way forms an interesting and unusual painting because of composition.

Then there's the lucky snap shot of just that look or expression that you say "yes! thats fluffy to a t! or fido...and the resulting portrait is easy and almost paints itself! 

So I would recommend to whomever wants a painting or portrait, to take a series of photos over a day or so, since animals and people both have their moods and moments.  

The above painting was done from a photo session, and we decided that the expression on her face was very indictave of her personality and sense of humor. 

So, if at all possible, it would be helpful that a photo session be organized between owner and artist as another option to take. Sometimes the artistic eye behind the camera is a big plus, for lighting as well as that "artistic" shot.  

However, in some instances, it is the case that the beloved pet may have passed away years ago, and the opportunity arises only now to have a painting commissioned. In that instance, we must do the best with the material at hand, which hopefully will be like this one example below, a perfect and lovely pose complete with color and surroundings! 

A nice story or two about our very much missed friend is a great help, just as it would be if you were commissioning a portrait of a person now gone...    



So in conclusion, the challenge goes beyond just achieving a wonderful likeness, as with people, it's a matter of finding that special ingredient that makes it a unique work of portraiture. 

See my website for more of my portraits!  

Thanks for reading this, 

All the best,
Gemma      

Sunshine and Shadows

I am speaking for myself of course, but I find that most of the time, inspiration comes from a light that hits and illuminates a certain object, a leaf, a hillside, a face or body, that just gives me a thrill, and I say--wow! I have to paint that!

And soft pastel is a great medium to capture the moment quickly!

I grab my camera--or a notepad if I don't have the camera, and try and note the main points that excited me about it...if I can, I sketch it right there, and refer back while working on the piece later. It may be an unusual color combination, or combinations of lights and shadows that really scream out "paint me paint me!" They form a design , or an astounding blast of color that has to be captured and presented to the world!

Olive grove in late afternoon shadows.

I spend alot of time looking at my inspiring surroundings. I live in the countryside outside of Rome. It is very beautiful with rolling hills, mountains that change color constantly, vinyards and olive groves with so many unusual light effects and shadows during the course of the day.

There are farms with stone houses and medieval towns with winding streets. I have compiled a lot of what I call my future pictures, just waiting to be born!

  
Here's an example of a quick sketch done to capture this sunset on the treetops.


Once I start the painting, I think the trick to not letting your inspiration end with the moment, like a soufflee in a blast of cold air, is to work slowly, and not go beyond the point where you say, yes, this is what I saw, yes this is just perfectly IT!

This is that white sunlight on the old stone wall!

This is that magic I saw on that teapot glowing in the afternoon sun coming through the window!

I try to capture that luminescent glow of leaves in a ray of setting sunlight.

There are so many amazing effects to portray in a painting...and most importantly, illustrate the moment so it is not forgotten!

  

These are 2 examples of magical reflected light that I just had to capture.I think that as an artist, I want to point attention to these wonderful moments--these brilliant colors that dance and glitter all around us!

Even in my home, I have lots of what I like to call "memorabelia" , there are small objects and little things everywhere, and I find myself arranging them as a stillife when I put things on the sideboard in the dining area, it's as if arranged for a painting!

It's unconscious and friends have pointed this out to me, a kind of painting waiting to happen...most times it never does, but this just to say that an artists eye never sleeps!

            
just some ordinary objects in extraordinary light


Inspiration is a spark, and an artist, I think, is here to maybe focus the less practiced eye on an arrangement of color and shape and say, look! This is our beautiful world! The ordinary often becomes extraordinary! You just need to look around!



    

Thanks for reading this, and taking a look at my world !
Till next time,

Gemma Insinna
www.gemmainsinna.com