Creating a leopard portrait in oils

(1) Starting my work by sketching in the face, then adding important areas in so I don't lose my lines, I add a few of the darks, the lining of the eyes, and a few important details of the nose to begin. You may click on any of the photos to see a larger version.

 (2) I have added in some of the foundation for the fur coloring. Also, adding the eye color to make him come to life, so to speak.

(3) As you can see, I have continued to build up the fur colors. working slowly to add all of the many details.

(4) The finished portrait. I hope his eyes speak to you, as they do to me. What beautiful large cats leopards truly are. I have titled him, "Nebit", a variant of the Egyptian word for leopard.

Thank you for looking at my work. I hope you'll love him enough to purchase him as a forever treasure! Please feel free to browse all of my art work on my web site: sandracutrer.com , or contact me at the phone number listed below with any comments or questions.

Blessings, from the artist and her own domesticated (and a little spoiled) "leopard", MaLee.

Sandra Cutrer
Fine Art
sandracutrer.com
979-236-2907

Spring means new birds to watch- and paint!!!

Azure Kingfisher

Vermilion Flycatcher

 

I am delighted to be painting a bird series. Spring makes me so happy, being my favorite season of all! These two paintings, The Azure Kingfisher", and "Vermilion Flycatcher" are such lovely specimens of gorgeous birds to watch for. I enjoyed painting their bright and cheerful colors. Both birds are painted on gallery wrapped 5" x 7" canvases; no frame needed, all sides painted a dark hue. I hope you will browse through my blog for prices and also my other works for sell. I am so thankful for my followers and my buyers, who keep me at my easel! Thank you all, and "HAPPY SPRING" to you all!

PS I hope you've all had a chance to view the beautiful Texas Bluebonnets, and if not, maybe some of the glorious Cherry blossoms, among many of the other wonderful spring blooms!

Blessings,
Sandra Cutrer, Fine Art
sandracutrer.com
979-236-2907

Khensu, a jaguar in oils - completed!

"Khensu", a jaguar in oils on a 12" x 12" x1.5" wrapped canvas. All sides are painted a dark hue, so no need to frame.

If you've been reading my blog, I want to apologize for taking me so long to get back and post this finished painting! The photo was taken by a friend and co-worker of my husband. He so generously shares his photography with me, and of  course I've added many of his photos to my "future painting" files.
I have been very busy starting up my new website, and have attached my blog to it, so I hope you will view my website- or vice versa!

The weather has been great, and I am recovered enough from my long, drawn out sinus infection (cedar fever?), to be able to walk outside again. Yesterday, while out walking, I saw the tiny half of a blue egg shell, one of the many signs that spring is here to stay- for a little while, anyway. It gets pretty darn hot here in southeast Texas, so I am truly trying to make the most of each spring day!

 I am so glad you've decided to read my blog, and enjoy my work. Stay tuned for some new work, showing my "birthing" steps- in the process- of creating my oil paintings!

Blessings,
Sandra Cutrer
Fine Art
sandracutrer.com
sandrasart777@aol.com
979-236-2907

"Khensu", a jaguar in the process of being born in oils!

"Khensu", a jaguar in the process of being born in oils.

Laying in the jaguar- all of the darkest-darks go in first!

"Khensu" is now taking on some much needed golden colors.

Really getting a close up of the first lay-in of color. I think it is looking good, as I remind myself this is sort of the "ugly" stage of painting.

Please click on any of the above photos to see a larger image! I hope you'll come back to see more of "Khensu", a jaguar, being created in oils on a 12" x12" x 1.5" smooth,stretched canvas!

Blessings,
Sandra Cutrer
Fine Art
 sandracutrer.com

"Hen Hunter", a brightly colored rooster in thick oils

Beginning my painting. I decided to do this one in a deep (2.5"), 20" x 16" wrapped canvas, using a palette knife and later brushes for the small details I'll add. I allowed it to dry for several days, actually nearly a week since it is oils and the humidity here in southeast Texas is 100%! With all of the rain, cold, and being so near to the beach,I tend to get impatient at times with oils, but what can I expect???

Sometimes I get so involved in painting my subject, I forget to grab my camera for step-by-step photos! I apologize to those who enjoy that part of my work. He is so colorful and cheerful when my skies outside are gray and thick with overcast and rain.... he is my sunshine today! I am titling this one,"Hen Hunter". How could any sound-minded hen pass up a chance to be courted by this bold and handsome bird!!!

Chick Magnet

"Chick Magnet", a magnificent rooster profile in oils, original painting by Sandra Cutrer. He is painted on a 20" x 24" ready to frame canvas.

Another neat town in Texas is Marble Falls, where I was able to capture several great rooster and hen reference photos. Isn't he a beauty! I thought so when I saw his gorgeous coloring. I had to paint him nearly as soon as we unpacked from our trip, keeping fresh in my mind his apparent attitude toward intruders, such as myself. I got so excited, I forgot to snap more photos of my painting process! There were other roosters "cock-a-doodling" in around his territory, so he was busy rounding up as many ladies as he could, bringing them to a certain area of the generous size yard. It was a rather cool and windy day, so he huddled with his harem at times, then he would quickly jump up, crow apparently as loud as he could, letting the other roosters know to stay clear of his area, then he squat right back down in order to keep himself  (and maybe the girls as well) warm and cozy. What a guy!  

Blessings,
Sandra Cutrer
Fine Art
979-236-2907

Dave, a beloved pet in oils on small canvas

Dave, a wonderful dog who has sadly gone over the rainbow bridge before his master, who is deeply saddened from the loss of her beloved pet. I am sure he waits patiently for his family, but I like to think Dave is also having fun in his new "forever home",After all, don't, "All Dogs go to Heaven"?

I was privileged to be able to create Dave from some old photos they had of him. I adore his unique freckles! He was a special pet, I'm told. I could see that in his eyes- the eyes tell me a lot about animals. Dave is missed, and I hope that his painting in oils will be a reminder of how lucky they were, and how lucky Dave was, to not only share time together, but to have shared hearts as well.

Dave was painted in oils on a small 6" x 6" x 1.5"  wrapped canvas, ready to hang without a frame.   A painting this size starts at $89.00 and up. Wire and hooks are shipped with the painting.

Please contact me ( just click on the contact the artist button on this page) if you are interested in having your pet- past or present- painted in oils as a forever treasure and/or loving memorial.

Blessings,

Sandra Cutrer

Fine Art

979-236-2907