Titan portrait in progress 5 - Tiny nuances make an expression

Small nuances in the expression are what make a facial expression and capture character.

I know that Titan is a funny dog, who loves to make people laugh. The line in the middle of this tongue is not a straight line. Anybody who knows dogs really well can see that Titan is being as happy and silly as he can be. You can see it in the way he is holding his tongue. 

1

I created the line in the center of Titan's tongue with four different colors.

2

This is the reference photo I’m working from.

When I sat down in the studio to begin working on Titan's tongue, and I zoomed in on this photo, I immediately saw all the things about it that showed his happiness. The relaxed way he is holding his tongue, and the way he is wrinkling it to make it silly. I have been blessed to own two very funny (comedian) Dobermans, and I recognized it immediately. 

3

Tongue finished. I convey specific facial expressions that express emotions, by slightly exaggerating the little nuances that show that emotion. 

The wrinkles on the tongue the way it’s draped over the teeth. The way he is holding his tongue on either side of the center line. And the way the bottom edge of the tongue (“tip of the tongue”) is lower on one side than the other. It’s just pure silly. 

🎨 Prismacolor pencil on “Sky Grey” Canson Mi-Teintes paper, 16 x 20 inches.

Portrait of Titan, in progress.

Commissioned by Alicia McCarthy.