Greyhounds, Watercolor Painting from Start to Finish
( by Dan Waltz )

I first want to thank everyone for your interest in my work and my painting blog, it has drawn a lot of attention since I started posting my painting techniques online. I also would like to take this opportunity to thank the person, who will remain nameless for now for commissioning me to paint these wonderful dogs. This is new to me, not commissions, but demonstrating the commission online for all to see, including the person who commissioned it, so the pressure is on.

This painting came with some very unique challenges. One: a very low-res photo to work with and the dogs very small in the photo, so details may be difficult to see. Two: The dog’s faces are blocked with muzzles and I would love to paint them without them. Three: Then there's the average challenges, of size, backgrounds etc.... Lucky for me, the person who commissioned me to paint this picture was kind enough to give me all the freedom in the world. So here we go, mistakes and all.....enjoy.

Original Photo

Cropped Photo

According to the dogs owner, he only lets the dogs run on grass now, so my original thought for the background was scrapped. So, I set out one day to photograph some backgrounds.
This one I thought was perfect.

With some photoshop work I clipped the dogs out of the original photo and placed them in the background that I took. Since the dogs are running at approx. 30mpg I decided that it would look nicer with the backgroud out of focussed to show a little motion.

First unique challenge. Take the muzzles off the dogs. Here is some rough sketches which is all I need for the painting the color will make all the difference.

I sketch the entire piece and trace the heads without the muzzles to the bodies.

Just the basic lines are lightly transfered on to the painting surface.

Now it's time to paint the background. Now the thought process begins. Where do I start? What technique should I start with? Do I need masks? If so what needs to be masked off and what doesn't? What type of mask should I use? Soft edge? Hard edge? etc.......

I chose a soft edge mask, meaning that I covered the dogs with light-weight cardboard rather than shelf liner paper which gives you a sharp harder edge. Now it's time to paint.

Roughing in the background with the airbrush. Very, very rough.....

A little more airbrushing and now starting to rough the background in with a regular brush.

Still roughing in the background and will be for a while yet.

I blocked off the sky with a sheet of paper and then replaced the masks over the dogs.

Using a toothbrush I splattered several colors throughout the foreground and background.

Splattered more paint with the toothbrush and started adding details to the background. You would be amazed with a little practice how accurate you can be with a toothbrush.

Come back soon for more updates.....

More updates on pages 2 and 3.

Page 1 | 2 | 3

Conni: LOVE THE BACKGROUND CHOICE!!!  So "real!"

Melanie: Amazing!

Karen: Lookin good! :)

Jennifer: like this

Judy: like this

Karl: It’s amazing to see how, through my untrained eye, things look so easy until you show us the obstacles you have to deal with when painting.  Looking good Dan!

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