Can a critique help you improve your pet portraits?
This is exactly how a critique of your pet portrait can help you improve:
Here are the before and after photos:
I could see that Bridget had made a really good start on the labrador painting but she needed to go a step further. This is what I said:
“First of all, I used velour paper which naturally lends itself to a softer look. It looks like you’re using Pastelmat. But it’s definitely possible to achieve a soft look on Pastelmat.
It looks like you’ve done the fur in sections because you can see distinct areas where the fur changes. There is nothing wrong with doing fur like that but you have to go back and connect everything up so it transitions smoothly from one area to the next.
For softness, if we look at the ears we can see the paper underneath making the ear fur look darker than it is. You need more pastel and subtle blending with the addition of highlights. You can’t really see any individual hairs on her ear but you can on your work. Try to think that it’s not fur and something else and match the colour and tone”
Here’s the proof that tuition can help you improve and sometimes all you need is an art critique to help you on your way.
If you’d like a pastel art critique then get in touch with me – Sue Kerrigan-Harris.
like to join my pastel classes online or in person (based in Marchwood, Southampton) you can email me here or phone 07740 282399. Classes are on Wednesday afternoons.
GDPR: All images used with permission