Cellar Fundraiser - Sundae's Commission
 

When Sundae Girl asked me to paint a commission piece for her to include her cats, I was thrilled at all of the great photos she gave me for inspiration. Then, I was saddened to hear that Dylan is missing. I knew Dylan and Sundae were very close and that this would need to be a very special piece for Sundae. So, to make this short (since my strong suit is not writing) I have started working on the piece for Sundae Girl to include her 2 cats. I estimate that it is about 25% finished. Below is my progress, so far:

The original inspiring photo:
http://caseoriginalart.com/cellar/cherry4.jpg

This was the original sketch and my blocking in some of the darker areas.
http://caseoriginalart.com/cellar/cherry1.jpg

My assistant wanted to be a part of the documentation process ;)
http://caseoriginalart.com/cellar/cherry2.jpg

After I knew the shape of things, I began to lay on some color. Since I am working with acrylic at this stage, I am not too particular about the specific shades. It is very likely that I will not stick with this color combination, but it is there to sort of set the tone for the next layer.
http://caseoriginalart.com/cellar/cherry3.jpg

I will be updating this thread as I make more progress on this piece. :)

case! You're amaaaaazing :D

where does the fundraising part come in?

Thanks, Razz!

Jim, I have offered to do painting commissions for active cellar members with 50% of the total cost of the painting going to Tony's tip jar. Whomever is interested needs to pm me and I will send the prices and details. :)

case, you are so damn talented!

Are those catfish?

I have some ideas for a painting, also. Let me cogitate upon it and get back to you.

Yes, they are my beautiful catfish, fish-cats.
Case, you have captured them perfectly.

Catfish is exactly what my "assistant" called them. Maybe that is what I will call the piece.

HLJ, just let me know when/what. :)

Shawnee thanks for your compliment. I am not sure if it is talent or just obsession. :)

I am so glad you like it so far, Sundae!

Although my subtitle will be Don't Let Go.

Talent and obsession are not necessarily mutually exclusive. Look at Poe, or Van Gogh. Seriously...you are really good!

Beautiful painting. Can't wait to see the finished product.

Thanks, you guys. I will have more to post this afternoon.

Long overdue update
 

Sooooo...

I have some more progress to report. I know I said I would post around the end of last week, but our children from Texas came back on Saturday and I spent most of the weekend and yesterday settling into a new routine of entertaining 3 kids, now that it is summer. I have found time to paint, though! I believe I am almost finished, in fact...

First, I started to develop more of the front cat and his tail. I also filled in all of the bare spots I had left from before. The background struck me as drab, so I added texture, there. Then, I realized that the painting felt a little out of balance...and that something seemed missing...cherries! So I blocked those in.
http://caseoriginalart.com/cellar/cherry5.jpg

Then, I started to work on the cherries in a little more detail. I finished filling in the bare spots and deepened the shadows on the cat in back. I added a little more detail to the face of front kitty, while giving him some brighter highlights.
http://caseoriginalart.com/cellar/cherry6.jpg

Finally, I worked out the cherries in detail, giving them stems and fine tuned back kitty's face. I realized that the composition wasn't right, somehow, so I pulled out the topmost cherry. I also did something with the background that I am not sure I like. It feels a lot less like water, now, and more like just green nothingness with a swirly thing through it. I signed the painting, thinking I had finished, but now, I don't think so. I will probably be reworking the background again to make it more water-like.
http://caseoriginalart.com/cellar/cherry7.jpg

So, that is where I am, at this point. Any feedback is greatly appreciated. :)

I love the progress pictures. It's much more interesting to me than to just see the final picture. And I like the way this one is turning out. The cherries are a fun addition.

Whenever I look at this picture I think of Yin and Yang cats.