I'm excited to share this fun project with you for D.I.Y. Monday! This project is a how-to for a pretty portrait of your little best friend. If you're not an experienced painter, don't worry. I'll walk you through the steps and help you create something really adorable!
Step 1: practice drawing you're pet. Don't intimidate yourself by trying to create a photo-realistic drawing. Focus on your pets most distinctive features and create a cute cartoon version! Since I have a pug, i chose the wrinkles to emphasize. It's a very simple character drawing, with an added bow.
If you try sketching your pet and aren't feeling great about the results, try tracing a photo. I have tracing tips posted here.
Step 2: gather your supplies. You'll need a canvas, pencil, acrylic craft paint in the colors of your choosing & black for outlining, paint brushes and glossy varnish (optional).
Step 3: Sketch your pet on your canvas with pencil.
Step 4: Paint the base colors of your design. Don't worry about details at this stage, you'll be adding them last! You may want to use several coats of paint on certain parts of your painting.
note: Sometimes it helps me to have an inspiration source in my mind when choosing colors or a 'feel' for my paintings. I had Betsey Johnson style florals in the back of my mind while adding cute floral details to my painting of Suki. It's also a good idea to reach outside of your circle to find inspiration. For example, while searching for inspiration for a painting I don't look at other painters I look at fashion or a scene from a pretty film.
Step 5: Outline with black paint and a small paint brush. After drying, gloss with varnish if you like a shiny finish! ♥
Hope you enjoy painting your little cutie! Happy Monday! XO. elsie
61 Comments
I absolutely LOVE! I have to admit that I got back into drawing because of you.. 🙂 I can’t wait to start painting once I pro my drawing skills again!! <3<3<3
adorable!!!!
What type of brushes and paints do you use the most when you paint?
I’d LOVE it if you’d tell me :]
Thanks!
this is insanely adorable!!
Too cute! If I had a pet, I’d definitely be painting it right now! 🙂 http://amysreallife.wordpress.com
this is adorable!! i’m definitely going to have to make one of these. i’ve always been curious for a little more detail about your painting process, so thanks! <3
Adorable! I definitely want to make cute little pictures of our cats, Izzy and Lola 🙂
Thanks for sharing!
this is sooo cute. i have 2 cats and i might just make one of each of them. they are cute guys.
thank you for showing the step by step painting process. I have always considered myself a horrible painter and its because I was doing this process backwards. oui! Thanks!!
Hurray Elsie!
I love it when you teach art. I especially like the information in the NOTE section. Keep it coming, Elsie. THANK YOU.
beautiful !! me lovin’ it 🙂
So cute! I’m going to try to do one of my cats!
I have 4 finches. Would you do one of each or do one with all four?
Oh how cute!!!! 🙂 I’d love to make something like this – especially since my pug looks just like Suki!
Super, super cute! Can’t wait to do one of my kitty! <3
Totally adorable!! I don’t know if I have the skills for it, but I might have to try.
That’s just adorable!
really cute! i have a chocolate lab and i think she’d look adorable done up like suki!
tfs! xo 🙂
it is so absolutely adorable! love it! yay for suki!
I think I might even do this one!
My dogs are pretty cute and have distinctive features, so even though I have zero drawing skills, it might be worth a try.
how cute!
So cute! Makes me want to paint my Boston right now!
xoxo,
Cat
That’s cool, Elsie, thanks! It’s funny how sometimes something so simple can be so hard for me because I always do everything the most complicated, convoluted, and hard way possible. It’s like my brain does not understand the concept of easy. Your instructions about painting the base colors and then details later are something you’d think I’d have figured out by now!
You said “Oh Hi, Doggy” LOL! Quotes from The Room will be in my mind forever 😉
xo.
i was supposed to be studying for a midterm tonight… but i painted my terrier Minnie instead <3 thanks for a simple diy painting, it was so fun!
Thanks everyone!
I use a range of paintbrushes from teeny tiny to large. I have all sizes.
For paint I use liquidex, golden and also inexpensive craft aisle paints! 🙂
So cute! I’m always looking for ways to incorporate my little lover into my decorating!
Oh. MY. GOSH! These are so stinkin cute! I love it! 🙂
Elsie this is beyond adorable, thank you for sharing!
So cute. I want to do one of my pug but since he’s black how would I paint the details on his face to make them stand out? What colors would I use?
Wendy, I did a black pug recently I used dark grey for his face with a black outline! :))) XO.
this is so cute. i love it. if only i had a pet. i will share your link though with someone i know who has one.
Definitely in love! Now I want to paint my furry cat!
>^..^<
Oh this is lovely! You’ve made it seem very easy.
oh! It’s so so so pretty! I’m totally in love with this portrait of Suki! <3
another cute diy!! Thanks for sharing.
so cute, i love it!
my favorite perfume! <3
what a cute idea! i might have to try this. 🙂
Great idea and Suki is adorable!
I should make one for my lil’ Ladybug.
Sorry I missed this cute idea yesterday.
Here is something for you and Suki –
http://www.flickr.com/photos/donnamckenzie/4392521148
What a great idea!! I will give it a go!
Aww, I love this! I can’t wait to try this. I’ll be linking as well.
Wow! I love it! I also LOVE that your pugs name is Suki! I have a pug named SuKi!!! Can’t wait to try this project!
LOVE this! I am over-the-top excited about your new DIY’s! Thanks SO much for sharing these projects! XO to you, Elsie!
thanks so much for posting such easy step-by-steps! and for everyone who commented saying how inspired and easy it was to make their own. it’s making me *think* i can paint a portrait of my two bunnies. i had to give them away, but i’d like to remember them!
xoxo
So sweet!
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oxoxox
Chrisstina
So cute!!
I want that for my puppy.
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Too cute! If I had a pet, I’d definitely be painting it right now! 🙂
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Thanks for this. I really like what you’ve posted here and wish you the best of luck with this blog!
“hile searching for inspiration for a painting I don’t look at other painters I look at fashion or a scene from a pretty film. ”
well done.
jolie laide all the way 🙂
i’m in love with suki 🙂
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CUTE CUTE CUTE!!!!<3
As a rule the subject should not cover more than two thirds of the canvas, it’s important that the artist gets the size of the subject right. If the subject is painted too small, then there will be too much space to fill in and this could distract from the subject.