New Rat Terrier painting - Keeping Watch

Keeping Watch
© 2010 Kathleen Coy
10 x 8 inch, Oil on Ampersand Gessoboard

This is my first dog portrait in oils, and it definitely won't be the last. I'm very happy with this painting, the richness and the bold composition mirror Cloud's personality and intense gaze perfectly.

For those who don't know, this is my Rat Terrier, Cloud, and he's a favorite subject of mine to paint. This is my fifth painting of him, but my first in oils. (The others are in acrylics.) I decided to try oil paints this month because I was getting frustrated with the acrylic paints drying too fast when I paint on location.

So why did I choose acrylic paints over oils in the first place, anyway? True story - my mother paints with oils and I had to be different than my mother! That's it. Dumb reason, I know... **blushes**

Well, the oils really are great and I do love working with them. Oh god, I'm just like my mother...

Just kidding, my mother is a wonderful person! I love you mom!!

I thought you might enjoy this photo I took as I was working. The painting, the reference photo, and the sketch together. Three steps of the process:


Much love,

Landscape painting - Late Afternoon Hay Bales

Late Afternoon Hay Bales
8 x 8 inch, acrylic
© 2010 Kathleen Coy

I took some photos of hay bales last month driving through western Nebraska, thinking how much fun they would be to paint, and I was right... they are. This may be the beginning of a hay bale obsession...

My largest painting to date - Bear Medicine

Bear Medicine, 24 x 30" Acrylic on canvas
© 2010 Kathleen Coy

I started this Black Bear painting in March, but put it on hold for a while and just now finished it this week. I wanted this painting to have a very dreamy and otherworldly feel to it. Bear symbolizes awakening, and has been seen in many cultures as a spirit helper. I knew this painting needed to be very large and bold, to help convey the bear's size, strength, and power.

This painting is very textured throughout, some of which you can see in the photo. Once again, my beloved earth based color palette came through for me. I love painting with only a few colors!

I hope you enjoy it, too!

Much love,