dog painting question (a boxer's brindle coat)

[blackhorse]

I have carved a dog for a friend and I want to paint it with acrylic paints to mimic a boxer's brindle coat. Does anyone have any ideas?
Al

[Bartster]

al,


you could search the web for some ideas or contact mitchell on this forum he has one of the prettiest brindle boxers i have seen, and i have 2 of the prettiest fawn boxers you have seen, but then again i am a little prejudice towards my two.


bart

[Simplyme]

Hey I have a fawn boxer to..........COOL

[Bartster]

these are my 2 the first is about 4 and about 95lbs the second is 6 and about 47lbs.


bart

[blackhorse]

Bart,
Those are beautiful boxers. I have two beagles myself, and they are much easier to carve and paint.
This brindle coat has got me stumpt. I am going to experiment with dry brushing but I want to be able to see at least a little of the wood grain. I am thinking I want to water down the base coat (Brown) and try some black dark brown and a little white. not sure if this is the best order or not. I am thinking about using a flat brush and working my way back. I did find some pictures on the web so will let you know how it works.

[AlArchie]

Al, I got looking for pics of brindle animals and there are so many variations in color and shades that offering specific recomendations seems pretty unlikely.

However, here's a photo that may show some of the subleties of the brindle coloration.

First it appears that there are not one or two but many colors and shades in the undercoat. Perhaps a fawn, khaki, or light tan with areas of yellow ochere, siennas (raw and burnt), off whites, gray, and some brown. Topping all of these are the dark brown (not black) "tiger stripes" which look as thy have some of the lighter shades stippled in after application.

I wouldn't try washes on this project but would stipple on the colors with either a very dry flat or round brush. If you have some brushes you don't mind ruining, the dry stipple technique can produce the results you are looking for, but it is a lengthy process involving multiple applications and layering of many shades of the colors you choose.

If you have and use an air brush, you could use this for the base layers by overlapping light mistings of lighter shades followed by some light contrasts, then going to the stipple techniqe for the darker, more distinct areas.

But look at the photo and see that there are far more colors and shades than you may first notice and that these colors and shades are not in any distinct areas, but are overlapped, and mixed in with each other.

Without going into specific pigmants, notice at least that there are tans, yellows, many shades of brown, some reds, and perhaps even some hints of greens and blues.

Maybe this is more of a hinderance than a help, just my observations of the coloration schemes on these dogs.

Al

[blackhorse]

Al,
Thanks for the picture, I started experimenting with what you wrote. I used three shades of brown on light tan base. I also used a red oxide very sparingly and I like the way it looks. I used a light gray instead of off white and it gives it some depth. I stippled all the colors onto the tan but l only loosely striped the darkest brown. It turned out well so I am going to play around a little more then give it a try on the piece. Thanks for the advice.
al

[Mitchell]

How'd I miss this thread????

paint the white areas (if any) first. then put down a wash of the base color (most likely burnt umber with a mixture of burnt sienna - depending on the color of the dog). Let it dry and then add the stripes with black. Add black to the muzzle area and/or around the eyes... You can use the darkest brown instead of black if the base is lighter. Also, I like the red oxide in the base coat....it gives a warm look and you also see some red in the base.

As Al mentioned, there are lots of variations. You can start with a light wash and keep adding to get the color like you need.

You've got the right idea - use a practice piece first and THEN paint the dog. You just have to remember what you did on the practice piece!

Here's Levi:

[Simplyme]

Nice pic of Levi.....

[susieq]

Boxers rule!!! Been my steady companions for over 30 years.....
The one that Al posted looks just like our current pup, Butch.

I would either paint the white areas first or at least leave them unpainted, try to match the fawn base color and then with a fan brush working nearly dry, (dip in the black, get most of the paint off of the brush) just tap the tips of the brush against the base color, leaving the splotchy stripes....

Now, if the dog is a reverse brindle, the base color is black and the stripes are the fawn....you would have to use a shade of rich brown that would show up against a black background.. In any case, before you actually paint the dog, do some practicing on a plain board until you get it the way you want it.

Good luck.