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I finished the underpainting for the “Three Cats on Stairs” portrait. I often make an underpainting to tint the paper a certain color, then put details over that with colored pencil. In this case, the watercolor “underpainting” will create the staircase on its own. The cats and the cushions on each step will be done with colored pencil. All three cats are black and white. I’ve kept all the values of the staircase in the mid-range: from light grey to medium brown. The pure bl

Tammy Cunningham asked for a portrait of her three cats. One of her photos showed two of the cats on stairs, which gave her a great idea for the portrait. Stair steps with each of the three cats on its own step. I really like that concept. This is the initial line drawing, from separate photos of each cat. The stairs are based on the photo that inspired Tammy, but with a lot of changes to make the cats the central focus. That required figuring out the architectural perspectiv

The direct straight-on view of JR’s face is one of the things that makes this portrait so eye-catching. 1 I’m working on both sides of his muzzle and lips at the same time because I’m really focused on keeping his face perfectly symmetrical. Where normally I’d finish one side of the muzzle, then the nose, then the other side. 2 To make sure the features are symmetrical on both sides, I drew a very light center-line (you barely see it below on the throat) up the middle of JR’s

I encourage artists not to copy photos slavishly. I rarely portray a photo exactly as it is without making artistic changes. Even when doing portraits, which have to be accurate to the subject, there are usually ways to change and improve what is in the photo. Very few photos are perfect just the way they are. When creating artwork out of my own inspiration (not commissioned by a client) I make all sorts of creative changes. A photo inspires me, it doesn't dictate to me. Here

When I first started on JR’s portrait, Diane wrote: “Maura Reilly picked us for JR because she knew we always took the more ‘challenging’ dogs from rescues and rehoming situations and wanted us to experience one with a lovely temperament. What a PERFECT dog!!! I will go into more detail later in the process but suffice it to say he is INCREDIBLE in EVERY way.” ❤️ JR’s portrait was commissioned by Diane and Michael Schurman as their 35th anniversary gift to themselves. Here'