/rant

I dunno what it is but I get apprehensive about trying to paint anything larger than like, 5x7 or 6x6 inches. I'm sitting here, the computer playing my favorite radio and my work set out before me, with the monitor displaying a cute pic I took of my dog, and I am trying to paint it. On 8x10. This is meant as a gift for my sister in law, as its her birthday sunday and she suggested a few days back I paint Ginger.

The underpainting is done, so far, mostly.

I may have drawn dogs like 3 times in my life, seriously. I was always a cat person and even having Ginger with me for like 7 and a half years, I don't really draw dogs. I do love my dog and play with her and walk her and all, I just don't really draw her.

I don't know if its that I am painting a dog or painting 8x10, but I can't bring myself to pick up the brush and keep going at the moment. I already got up, paced around, set up lunch for Andrew in the oven, and drank a mug of hot cocoa to pass some time. And now I'm blogging.

I'm only painting on 8x10 because I am out of smaller canvases of the right proportion for this. I'm pretty sure, I didn't see anything hiding under paper or anything...

Her head isn't placed right. Neither is the bottom paw. I drew it like 3 times over and over trying to place it right and failing. I like drawing people more, people are easy. Dogs are not. I know, I know, it's just a matter of I'm painting a subject I'm not familiar with. Bleh. I have to finish this though, I told Sara I would paint Ginger for her.

*sigh*

Something I share with Renoir: The desire to paint on really huge canvases.

Something I don't share with Renoir: The ability to do so mentally.

I got to see a Renoir at an impressionist traveling exhibit in Houston once, it was amazing. I spent all afternoon on the little bench in front staring it down, with a stupid school girl grin on my face, wondering how on earth did he do it. It was Luncheon of the Boating Party, 4.2 feet by 5.6 feet, approximately. I was impressed.

I should really go paint now...