A One-eyed Calico Shorthaired Cat | Acrylic Paintings

MINDY

​Portrait sizes: 
12" x  12" and 12" x 16"
​Completed: July 2022
10th April 2022
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Hello Karen,
I am very much hoping that you are able to do an acrylic painting of our one-eyed rescue cat ,Mindy, as a surprise present for my wife on our Golden Wedding Anniversary on 9th August. I would like a square painting & the largest size according to your website is  12” x 12’’ on a 3mm deep canvas which would be fine, with a simple tonal (cream based) background. I would also like the painting framed. I will email you the photo for the painting as soon as I send you this message ; if you require other photos for further detail then I can readily supply them. The best way of contacting me is by email, since I do not want my wife to know about the "secret painting” & she never goes near a computer! I very much hope that you can take on this project ; my wife & Mindy the cat are inseparable & I know my place in our house!
Best wishes, Michael.

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Michael contacted me back in April 2022 requesting a painting of his beloved cat Mindy, as a gift to his wife for their Golden wedding anniversary. He sent through a few photos, including the photo he had chosen for the reference image. A day or two later, he requested a second portrait of Mindy, having taken a few more photos of Mindy, and decided on two sizes; a 12" x 12" and a 12" x 16"
Mindy was rescued from the RSPCA 12 years ago when she was just 1 year old, and she was originally named Ruth. She arrived there after being mistreated and had to have her right eye removed.​ Michael told me that "No-one else wanted her because they said that she was not perfect , but she is to us"
The reference images that Michael provided were high-resolution digital files. He shared a collection of images, allowing me to examine Mindy's colouration in natural lighting. This was instrumental in ensuring that the indoor photographs used as references accurately represented the true colour. Additional photos are beneficial since relying on a single photo only captures the tones present in that specific shot, which may vary from reality. While I can easily research a subject online, it doesn't yield the precise markings and colouration of the specific subject I'm creating.
The layering technique consists of multiple applications, initially applied as a base layer, followed by the sequential addition of individual strands of hair. This process continues until a realistic appearance, as depicted in the two images seen here, is achieved. My portraits are intended to exhibit lifelike qualities when viewed both up close and from a distance. A simplistic tonal background was applied with a degree of looseness, thereby beautifully complementing the warm hues present in Mindy's fur.

Framing and reference photos

Included below are the framed paintings alongside the original photographs utilised for reference, enabling a comparison of their likeness. Michael took the initiative to visit my framing page to select frames that he believed would enhance the paintings. In addition, I provided guidance and produced a video showcasing the frames he selected as well as several other alternatives that I believed would be suitable. Ultimately, Michael chose the elegant Windermere Bronze moulding, which features a foil finish on the interior frame and a rich bronze tone on both the inner and outer edges. The warm hues beautifully highlight the copper tones in Mindy's fur.



​​Customer Testimonial

Tuesday was a very special day, thanks, in no small part, to you. As I predicted, Maureen was both surprised & stunned by Mindy’s portraits & used too many superlative adjectives for me to accurately state here. Suffice it to say that  “stunning”, ”amazing”, ”unbelievable” & “fantastic” were part of her reaction. She still cannot believe the detail on the portraits & how you can see “every hair”. We cannot thank you enough.
Mike
Newcastle​, UK
For those keen on gaining a deeper insight into the various stages of creating Mindy's portraits, here are a couple of brief time-lapse videos. The first video captures the laying down of initial base tones, setting a dark values for the subsequent lighter tones. The second video illustrates the layering of fur on the back and front legs. Despite their brevity, they span a working period from 30 minutes to over an hour. Note the significant impact that the application of these layers has on transforming the dynamics of what initially appears to be a flat painting. Additionally, a blog post offers further insight into the process of the commissioning of this painting.
A coloured pencil drawing of a Red Fox Labrador in a wooden frame
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​Commission a bespoke portrait

If you're in search of a bespoke portrait of your cat or any other pet, whether as a distinctive gift for a loved one or to commemorate a significant occasion, you have the freedom to select the medium that appeals to your preference, including coloured pencils, acrylics, or oil pastels. For further details, my commissions page provides all the information you need or get in touch to discuss your concepts.
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