DOG PAINTING
Reuben
This piece is a portrait of Reuben, a Doberman, brought to life through a mix of loose expressive background work and a more grounded, realistic foreground.
The background was built over two painting sessions using blue and teal acrylics, softened with touches of white. I worked in broad, layered strokes to create movement and atmosphere rather than anything too controlled. It sets the mood of the piece without taking attention away from Reuben himself.
For the Reuben, I shifted into a more detailed painting style. The aim was to capture his likeness and personality in a way that feels true to life, while still sitting comfortably within my signature expressive style. The colours are carefully blended to keep everything soft and natural, just like his short, soft fur.
Most of the painting was done using brushes of different sizes and acrylic paint, slowly building up form and detail. I used a palette knife only in a few lighter areas to lift highlights and add a bit of texture.
The final result is a balance between expressive brush strokes and calmness in the foreground.
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About the Artist
Art has always been a constant in my life. Raised in a family with a strong creative heritage, I was inspired from an early age by my grandfather, a calligrapher and watercolour painter, and my father, a poet. Their passion for creativity encouraged me to develop my own interest in making and communicating through art.
VIDEOS OF MY PAINTINGS
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Want to see how my paintings are made? I make videos of me creating my paintings, from the pouring paint backgrounds to the tiny details in the facial features of the animals i paint. Scroll through my recent posts on Facebook here and see how my artwork is made.
To enquire about exhibitions, commissions and more, send an email to: emmareayartist@gmail.com