sippyjug104 Loc: Missouri

I'm exploring different subjects and techniques so I wanted to try one with fur. Because I posted two of our dogs that have short hair, I thought a cat would provide a good learning challenge (I best hide this from our six dogs).

I've included images of the process I used which always starts with a loose quick sketch. I don't put a lot of effort into the sketch as it will only serve as a concept, placeholder, and guide as it often changes as the piece progresses. Fortunately, cats are simple, and it was easy for me to sketch.

The next step is to block in colors along with a bit of work on the eyes.

This is followed by a layer for the application of the fur. This would be the "make or break" point for this piece for it would be my first attempt at doing it on a computer and drawing tablet.

The final step is to add details and clean any places that look weird to me.

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Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

Neat.
I do like the first the most.

sippyjug104 Loc: Missouri

Thanks, Longshadow. The process uses layers like Photoshop, Affinity, etc. As we know, layers are our friends for they are useful in many ways.

The first image is the finished piece and the others are what it looked like along the way at major milestones of the workflow starting with the concept sketch.

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

Ahh.
I thought they were different renditions.

UTMike Loc: South Jordan, UT

You are SO talented, Gary!

Curmudgeon Loc: SE Arizona

I think it's your best yet. You can never go wrong with a Kitten

L-Fox

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

Incredible! Creating the fur is genius. Did you have guidance on how to attempt?

ecobin Loc: Paoli, PA

Amazing work, Gary.

sippyjug104 Loc: Missouri

Linda, thanks for viewing and for asking. One of the many advantages of "digital painting" is that there is an abundance of "brushes" available. Going through the choices is a journey of its own. I keep a larger "canvas" than the piece so I have space to sample brushes, colors, tones, etc. before applying them to the piece.

One of the many advantages of using a digital tablet is the brush can be dynamic to how hard (or soft) the nib is pressed on the tablet. Some increase in brush size, some increase in opacity, some increase in both.

I anticipated the importance of "underpainting" when attempting to create the illusion of fur for too much brushing would create a blurred mess with a loss of detail and too little would look like the kitten had mange due to the void of under-color.

Choosing a brush that makes multiple lines and using a heavy-to-light pressure stroke worked for me. Because I chose to paint multiple under-colors that I blended to appear smooth, I found it important to pick a color about two shades lighter than the area of under-color so the strokes would stand out. The process was to use the color picker, choose a lighter shade, apply strokes in the direction the fur would flow, and then repeat, repeat, repeat working my way around the subject. Most important of course was to apply the fur on its separate layer for layers, the delete key, and the eraser are our friends.

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

Very instructive; thank you!

StanMac Loc: Tennessee

The eyes have it! Great work on the eyes, which really add life to animal portraits, IMO.

Stan

kpmac Loc: Ragley, La

I don't care for cats but I like your art, sippy.

sippyjug104 Loc: Missouri

Thanks, Kpmac. A cat would not fare well with our six dogs in the house.

SoHillGuy Loc: Washington

I have to agree with curmudgeon, this is the best I have seen posted.