Stormy III or Stormy Napping - cat portrait

Stormy Napping, 9x12, oil

The comment I received from Stormy's owner when I sent him an image for final approval of #3 was:

Purrrrfect!!! She looks so "Stormy" like! That's our kitten who just had her 13th birthday You do such lovely work Victoria!

Can't get much better than that. It is nice to have satisfied customers. I stopped doing pet portraits years ago after one client had so many little tweaks. She was finally satisfied but I was done with that.

To keep with the other two portraits (https://victoriasart.blogspot.com/2019/10/stormy-ii-cat-portrait.html and https://victoriasart.blogspot.com/2019/10/pet-portrait-1-stormy-outside.html) I found an old 9x12 plein air painting from 2008 to paint over. It was a path leading into a dark grove of trees with some tall grasses catching the light. I turned it upside down to start this painting. I drew in white chalk a basic outline. I decided to paint in the background to get rid of distractions and start my building blocks. I liked the strong texture coming through from the path of the painting underneath for the background. Interestingly enough, the wall in the photo was an old textured plaster wall. I recognized it as I have the same in my house.

Blockin start

Next, I started with the bigger shapes of the cat and outlined the blanket folds. I did like the green coming through, as I own a green plaid blanket and it seemed apropos with it already laid in so nicely!

Alas, it was not a green plaid blanket Stormy slept on. Never having to paint plaid before I think that intimidated me more than anything else. So, go to the trusty shape thing and don't worry about what it actually is. The owner doesn't seem to mind that it isn't a perfect rendition of the blanket but is of Stormy. A man who has his priorities straight!

I did have fun doing these pet portraits. I like doing cats, I have decided. A shout out of thanks to The Whole Cat & Dogs too for the referral. They have been amazing in promoting me to their customers. Stop by and see them when you are on Old South Pearl Street