PMorrissey Creations

Rowdy
Prismacolor Premier
Canson Bristol 9x12

Rowdy began his journey home yesterday. I’m going to miss working on him. He was very patient with me as I brought him to life on paper.
Rowdy loved his family and he misses their physical touch, but he’s forever a part of the farm that gave him so much joy. He’s running free with Chase and happy to watch over his family from above.

I really love that Rowdy is forever in his field of dreams. And specifically in a lot of clover and other wild grasses. I couldn’t resist adding a ladybug. I still need to blend, and tweak a little more, but overall I am pleased with his portrait.

I took a picture yesterday morning with every intention of posting. I didn’t get that done, so today, you get two.
I love it when my subject is fully on the page.
Now I just need to finish the foreground, blend, and tweak, then Rowdy will be ready to go home.

I’m in the home stretch with Rowdy and he’s definitely waiting to go home.
All that white needs to be grass and I still have a lot of color to add to Rowdy while I further define his white shirt.

I had to do a little work on his nose, but now he’s looking more like he should. I love having his face on the page! Isn’t he a handsome guy?

Takes quite a while to get a mostly black dog on the page. Bit Rowdy is worth it!

I’m working left to right, but once I’m a little further along with the grass, I can start filling him in more. But we’re getting there!

Yes. That is Rowdy’s farm in the background.
If you know my work, you know I love a background. I prefer them to be the natural setting of the photo reference, but that’s not always possible.
I know this farm well. I have visited there a handful of times. It was owned by my Aunt and Uncle, now owned by their daughter, my cousin and dear friend.
Rowdy belongs to the farm forever. I see the love in his eyes. For his family, for his home.
We don’t understand losing these furry friends because they’re such an integral part of the whole of the farm and its family.
His coloring will stand out against this backdrop of blue and green.

I’m doing the background now for a reason. One I have learned over time. My subject will be in dark waxy colored pencil which easily bleeds into other colors unless you control it by completing the lightest areas first. Rowdy is a glossy black with a white shirt and light colored paws. He’s a study in light and dark. I will do my best to capture him in all his handsome glory.

I will be working on his eyes throughout the piece for they are his essence. I’m pleased with them for now, but I compare them endlessly to my reference.

I meant to post yesterday, but my day got away from me.
We had a Taco Party event here in my building on Sunday. I got to set up and decorate, then hostess the event. We had a great turnout.

I’m working on a special portrait.
This is Rowdy. You may remember him from a couple of years back. He is a furry brother to Chase. Sadly, he crossed the rainbow bridge last month, causing great sadness once again, to his family on the farm.
Rowdy came into the family when my cousin’s daughter fell in love with him. The family drove to Indiana to pick him up. He was a tail wagging bundle of fur. They nicknamed him Bubba.

Now he and Chase are both forever a part of the farm they loved. I chose this 3/4 profile of Rowdy to show off his looks and his beautiful fur. The farm in the background seemed appropriate, so I’m keeping it.

He leaves behind his furry brother Dierks, but hopefully not for long. Dogs grieve, too. And he’s missing both his brothers. You may also remember him from a couple of years ago, as well.

I’m excited to share my progress with you on this one. It’s a difficult perspective, I want it to be perfect.

One taken last night, one taken this morning.
His fur reads like this in person. Beautiful shades of gray. Here is is!

Max
Prismacolor Premier
11x14 Canson Bristol
Photo reference provided by client

Nearly done with Max. I scrunched him a little more than he naturally is. I can see why, but it’s too late to correct. He’s still a handsome guy!