Declan is my son Jonathan’s cat. Using an 11 x 14” canvas I sketched out Declan’s form. I used a straight edge to rough in the door, molding, and general shape of the half wall divider that Declan is sitting on. Using only shades of gray oil paint I formed the eyes and his basic shape. Once dry this sketch will serve as a template to build on. This is the end of session 1.
I began this session by working on Declan’s eyes. I also continued to fill in the background. I think it best to fill in the background first since I will have to paint Declan’s fur by going over the background colors. I have roughed in the back wall and floor. In the next session I will paint the half wall divider he is sitting on. These are only “dead” colors that help establish a value system but will be developed as I progress through the painting. This is the end of session 2.
This session was devoted to adding the half wall divider Declan is sitting on. I also corrected an angle of the door on the right which has not been roughed in yet. I had to make it a littler narrower to be in better perspective. I also added the detail of the front door window. I finished this session by roughing in Declan’s fur using shares of gray and worked on his nose and mouth. This is the end of session 3.
In this session I added a layer of wall color, the items hanging on the door, and roughed in the closet door. I also added form to Declan’s body. This is the end of session 4.
In this session I added the closet and applied another layer to the back wall, and floor. I also put in the key holder and light switch. I used burnt umber with gray and some white added using theses colors to show light on floor from window. This is the end of session 5.
This session was devoted primarily to the half wall room divider that Declan is sitting on. I also worked the door trim and closet door on the right. I used a little burnt sienna, burnt umber, Naples yellow, gray and white for the door trim and the half wall. Once dry I will work some details of Declan’s face, whiskers, and fur. This is the end of session 6.
In this session I on focused on Declan’s facial markings using burnt sienna, gray and white. I also worked his fur both along the edge where light is brightest from the door and in front. I added his whiskers and reworked the closet door. To emphasize light coming in from the door window I added a slight haze along each side. The painting is 95% complete. I will let it dry and add any final changes before varnishing. This is the end of session 7.
This session was spent doing some minor touch ups. I added the small card that is on top of the key holder. I also added some highlights to the closet door, the door handle, and worked the door reflection on the half wall. I also added some small white areas to the door window. I will let this dry and if I discern no additional changes will proceed to adding the varnish. This is the end of session 8.
After the painting was completely dry I added a first layer of Damar varnish. I gave it a couple of days to dry and added a second layer as some areas looked “blotchy”. When the second layer of varnish was ready I put the painting in its frame. This is the end of session 9 and this art project.
