My first attempt

[Jarka, Monty & Auggie]

Okay, so here is my first attempt. I'm still not clear on what the heck I'm actually doing.

My friend lost a dog unexpectedly, and I thought I would create a gift for her. What do you think of this painting? I know it's not the best and as detailed as it should be, but it's a start for me. I wanted the words spell his name...should the letters be smaller yet so that his name pops?

Any suggestions welcome. I intend to have the final picture printed on canvas for her.

Here is the original pic my friend gave me of Ranger:

And here is the painting I've done so far:

Does it look like him? I know his face looks a little bit more puffy, but that's as far as my skills go, LOL. We need another hangout!

Please, let me know your suggestions how to make the portrait special for my friend.

Thank you!

UPDATE: Is this better? I tried to paint in a little bit of the cheekbones. I'm not sure, but I think I liked the first drawing better even if his face was more puffy.

UPDATE 2: I should have posted the last version here so that you can compare it. I made the cheekbones less prominent and also resized the background so that I can have a canvas wrap printed without losing parts of the dog.

[Sheila & Finnley]

Well I for one think it is an awesome painting, and your friend will love this ! Great job Jarka, and I love how the name is done. I would be happy with it.

[Jarka, Monty & Auggie]

Thanks, Sheila. I'm not sure I know what I'm doing. Is there anything that should be changed? I know his face looks a bit more puffy in the painting, but I'm not sure I know how to fix it. Are the colors of the letters okay to compliment the rest? Are you sure they will recognize their dog?

[Nancie & Gracie Doodle]

I think it is amazing Jarka!  I wouldn't change a thing and boy, if that were me, I would be brought to tears with such a kind and thoughtful gift!  Just wonderful!

[Jarka, Monty & Auggie]

Thank you, Nancie. I cried like a baby when she told me about Ranger. I'm just not ready for my boys to cross the rainbow bridge. I know they are still young, but at the same time I know it's coming. I've never been through that before so this picture is very special for me.

[Carol and Banjo]

What a wonderful, talented friend you are Jarka.   I love everything about this...just as it is.  It looks exactly like her dog.  Your lettering is lovely and fitting.   I can only imagine the emotion she will feel when she sees this...not just for the first time...but for the many times after.

[F, Calla & Luca]

Great job Jarka and a very clever way you did his name. A truly special gift.

[Kathy]

I think the painting of the dog is beautiful.  I would make the words thinner and a little fancy and they will fit better.  I am not an expert so what do I know.  That is just my opinion.  You can paint my dogs anytime you want to.

[Jarka, Monty & Auggie]

Thanks, Kathy. I tried to pick a font that would be little bit artistic, kind of like painted on the picture. I don't think I can make it thinner (that's why I tried to make some of the letters smaller and lowered their opacity as well). I'm not sure about the font in the word Smart and Funny just yet. They don't look hand-painted to me, so I might check if I can find some better font.

[Sheila & Finnley]

I wouldn't change a thing ! A painting is NOT supposed to be exactly perfect. You are an artist, and this is you artistic interpretation of the photo. I for one would be thrilled with it... every last thing about it is beautiful. You have to think of it like if you took a camera photo, and maybe photoshopped it a bit, to give it that little bit of tweaking. Again, it is beautiful Jarka !

[Jarka, Monty & Auggie]

Thanks, Sheila. That makes sense.

[Lynda Kamrath]

It is great, and I'm sure she will love it.  Perfect for painting on canvas.  I love the way you did words with the letters of his name.  Super memorial gift and if this is your first try, you are off to a super start.  Are you using Corel Painter?

[Jarka, Monty & Auggie]

Yes, Corel Painter for the dog and Photoshop for the letters.