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.

[Dee & Chloe]

Jarka, This is absolutely  wonderful! I can't believe it's your first try! What a touching tribute to your friend's best friend....

[Kyoko]

Wow!! Awesome!! Great job!!

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

Jarka, I think both are wonderful, with the second perhaps a bit more accurate.  Your friend will cherish this gift.

[F, Calla & Luca]

Good improvement Jarka, it's even better now.

[Jarka, Monty & Auggie]

Hm, you really like the second one better? I can't get used to those white lines on his cheeks. I think what I'm going to do is show my friend the dog part of the picture and let her choose.

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

I really think your updated one is perfect!

[Lynda Kamrath]

I like the first painting, too, but this last one does look more like the photo of the dog.  Looks like you did a little something with the eyes also.

[Camilla and Darwin]

Very nice!

[Linda and "Toby"]

Excellent! Now, all you need to do is bring this one (with the cheekbones) on a layer above or below the original painting and bring it in ever-so-slightly, so that there's just the tiniest hint of it.

I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this painting!!!  

[Jarka, Monty & Auggie]

Oh man, Linda. I thought I was done, LOL. I'll try this.

Since I want to print this on canvas, I was told by the company there needs to be more room around the edges if I want a canvas wrap (so that his ears don't get bent over the edges of the frame). So I enlarged the canvas size and there is now more room around him. Hope it's enough.

I'll try what you suggested here and see what I get. I'm planning on actually showing my friend both pictures to see which one she likes best (won't show her the whole painting, though).

[Jarka, Monty & Auggie]

Okay, here is my attempt of what you told me to do. The canvas is also resized to allow for extra space for the wrap. The cheekbones are not so prominent. How do you like it this way?

[F, Calla & Luca]

Best!