I received an email with a commission to do a painting of the family standard poodle. Included with the email were 4 photos of the dog. I opened the email, and there was a dog with no eyes, just headlights …red eye would have been better!
Here are the reference photos:
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- Charlie 1
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- Charlie 2
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- Charlie 3
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- Charlie 4
I emailed back and asked if it would be possible to have photos with his eyes, since the personality of our “pets with paws” is in their eyes. The response was short and simple.
”Please use your best artistic judgment. We trust you. As to the eyes, color them brown as getting him to pose is quite a chore and his black body is somewhat difficult.”
The dilemma:
Do I turn down the commission? These happen to be friends who depend on me and my artistic judgment. Would I turn down the commission if they weren’t friends? Would you?
The decision:
Go for it. Do a little research on eyes of a poodle, and just paint. Trust your skill, and most of all, trust your love of dogs. Find their personality and show it.
Meet Charlie
Charlie ©2009 Jacobson
See more of my pet portraits here. If you are interested in commissioning me to do a painting of your pet partner check out the details here.
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Trinkie: This is such good news. I’m thrilled to have my work displayed in your area. And painting mastifs will be a treat. And a gift and children’s store, in addition. My work will be all over Truckee CA., and I can’t thank you enough for being such a wonderful art agent. Job well done.
Well, your decision was right on! She turned out just great….. I’m so excited that your work will be on display/sale at Scraps Dog Bakery in Truckee, CA. The owner has two mastifs plus a couple of other dogs and I think she wants at least three of them painted. You’ll probably end up with a wall in the store! Believe she is interested in the cards too.
And….looks like your other paintings may end up in her gift and children’s store – Riverstone.
Evelyn: Charlie was definitely fun to paint. I especially love those curls, and now I found out Charlie is a girl. That makes the curls even more fun.
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