smudgepainter

This is Maggie. Helpful suggestions gladly accepted!

Excellent Jo perfect ! !

Palms

I think she's beautiful! I love the hi-key look to this.
(It still looks very photographic to me, but I'm assuming that's the look you are going for.)

Jordan, I'm actually trying to loosen up, which as you see, is difficult for me to do. I want to see some aspect of detail, but I don't really want photographic. Here is a more detail view. Suggestions? Thanks, Jo

I'm trying to loosen up more myself.
Have you tried upping the strength?
I have not done a short haired animal myself, but I have heard they can be more challenging.
Palms, you've done several dogs, do you have any advice?

Jo i still think this is brilliant and sorry Jordan i disagree about it being very photographic. A softer look i dont think would suit the bulldog, I personally wouldn't change it but maybe that is just my taste.

Jo can you post the original for a comparison ?

Palms

Don't be sorry Palms, that's the beauty of art!
I still think it looks great Jo.
I think one of the greatest challenges with smudging is the balance between keeping the detail and yet having it look painted.
And the balance is different for everyone.
If this was mine, I would probably have tried to smudge it a little more.
But I also might end up agreeing with you and thinking it was too much.

I think she looks luscious! Of course as you can see from my avatar I might be a tad biased. I personally wouldn't change a thing but if you want it to look more painterly how about changing the background? Sometimes just changing the bk changes the whole feel of the piece, nothing too distracting just light colors mimicking oil paintings. Let me reiterate, I would not change a thing I think she looks downright kissable! You did a great job

Jo, this is perfect. You did a wonderful job on this adorable dog. I wouldn't change a thing.
janet

Holy Cow Eda! I never noticed your avatar before, coming from you, being lusious and kissable is a true compliment! This is the sweetest dog. I tried a more painterly "oil type" background, but couldn't come up with anything that I liked. I wanted to show the soft side of Maggie.

Palms, here is the original photo.

Jordan, thanks for your input!

I appreciate the conversation here. You guys are the best! I trust you will tell me if it looks like crap.

Jo, I'm also trying to "loosen up" and I gave it a try. However, while it looks more painted I think it looks too soft. I definitely prefer your version.

BTW, I think I can speak for everyone here , on this one, and no yours doesn't look like "crap". I did get a chuckle at the expression cuz it's way past my bedtime and that is how I feel. Night y'all!

LOL Eda! I did the same thing you did!
I decided to try it myself and see if I could make it look more painterly.
But I liked Jo's version better and didn't even bother to save mine.

Jo- your version definitely doesn't look like crap!!

Eda, I like your background but I too think your painterly version is soft.

How do we arrive at the correct formula of painterly but with detail?

I'm taking the Marylin Sholin class at DAA that starts the 5th. I'm thinking that maybe with a combination of painter and photoshop that might be my answer.

Here is a link for a website that illustrates the style I would like to achieve. I don't know the artist, probably traditional on canvas, I saw their advertisement in a magazine and tore it out for future reference.

Jo

http://www.elhewkennels.org

Here is a link for a website that illustrates the style I would like to achieve

I see what you mean, it reminds me of Scott's work. He is the master after all. Did you try his tutorial? Ronnie turned me on to this one:
http://www.adidap.com/2006/11/07/photos ... -painting/

Yep Eda, I know about that Tutorial. Thanks so much for the link though!