DOs and DON'Ts - How to Paint Curly Dog Fur in Watercolor!

[@Mel-om1ww]

Taking your time really makes a difference

[@EmilyOlsonArt]

Definitely!

[@grafmatheus]

My dog is gone for almost 3 years and only now I can actually look at pictures without tears in my eyes. He looks a lot like this little angel that you painted, which inspired me to do my own version of my pet. I miss him so much that this is gonna be a beautiful way to remember him. Thank you for the tips! 💕

[@EmilyOlsonArt]

Aw you’re welcome!

[@Blick_Art]

This advice works for pretty much any painting scenario! Excellent point that brushstrokes and lines need to be deliberate and intentional, because each mark can encode a huge amount of information. Marks that are made without intention tend to disrupt and call attention to the paper and paint rather than the subject. We'll be sure to recommend this video for artists who are new to watercolor (and Goldendoodles)!

[@EmilyOlsonArt]

Such a good comment! YES! 🙌

[@LaurenJeanArt]

I painted my doodle in rainbow colors! It was so fun!😊

[@EmilyOlsonArt]

So cool!

[@jmsweets2862]

Thanks so much for offering the guide for free❤️ I’m really enjoying your videos 😎

[@EmilyOlsonArt]

Glad you like them!

[@melanieopperman6688]

Beautiful. I'll watch this again.

[@amysomething3370]

I am in the detail phase of painting my goldendoodle, but my dog is bright white (more like a poodle). For me that was the most challenging, but in that case a dark background is important.

[@DawnRoberts-e4s]

Yes exactly im gonna try and paint my sisters bernie doodle..sade..ive scetchrd her out..

[@carrollwilson5169]

Love this video, ❤❤❤❤

[@EmilyOlsonArt]

Thank you!!

[@bleuvertetforetdepin]

Thank you.

[@AyaSmith]

Looking beautiful, Emily! Loved this tutorial, so fun :)❤

[@EmilyOlsonArt]

So glad!

[@Mimibryant0123]

I recently found you and I look forward to signing up for your Watercolor Mastery class. I am a beginner and I really like your teaching style, that plus your paintings are incredible. I would a tutorial for a black and white Bernidoodle or a long haired tuxedo cat. My grand daughter has both and wants me to paint them for her, I’m lost. Thanks for all you do.

[@Shuvah2Him]

You do such a great job teaching and painting! Some people do one or the other well, but not both. Shared on 6 platforms :)

[@EmilyOlsonArt]

Thanks for sharing!!

[@ALSHAAHIN-z1o]

Muchas gracias

[@joykruczay]

Outstanding, information packed video! Your "Pet Painting Guide" is wonderful. Thanks ever so much for making this available.

[@EmilyOlsonArt]

You are so welcome!

[@mjpete27]

Hullo Emily, Thanks for this excellent video of Do's and Don'ts! I know how difficult this can be and I applaud your efforts in this excellent video! Well done and Please keep these coming!

[@EmilyOlsonArt]

I’m glad you liked it! Thanks for watching!

[@ELA-oh2dj]

Thanks very good tips ❤

[@artwithinquynh]

This video came at the exact right time, thank you 😍

[@EmilyOlsonArt]

So glad!

[@mariem5990]

❤ Thank you. Love your work

[@EmilyOlsonArt]

Thank you so much!

[@PatB303]

I'm a member of your site and your tutorials are excellent! I would really love to see a tutorial like this of a German Shepherd's head & upper body. I find them really challenging because mine always turn out looking so muddy. I know that you've got the great tutorial on the full body of the German Shepherd, but I'm really struggling with the face & chest.

[@EmilyOlsonArt]

Noted! 🙂

[@carmenbauer8822]

Wonderful as always, Emily! As a member of Watercolor mastery, I’m able to paint animals with confidence now thanks to you. I would love to see a black miniature poodle tutorial at some point. We had a a poodle named Zoe and I would love to paint her. Black animals, in my opinion, are the hardest so that would be awesome!!

[@EmilyOlsonArt]

I am in awe of your progress and skills, Carmen! You are a dedicated painter and it shows! Yes, curly black fur is definitely a challenge! I will add that to my “dogs to paint” list. :-)

[@karinlease3544]

Great tutorial!

[@EmilyOlsonArt]

Thank you!

[@adriennesaracen6525]

Thanks so much for this brilliant video Emily. I’m really struggling with pale grasses / reeds by a river bank that are part of a darker bank of grasses. I’m hopeless at highlighting with Gouache and always end up overworking the area and losing the light.

[@EmilyOlsonArt]

That would be a good area to slow down and negative paint around those light grasses. :-)

[@normanmerrill1241]

Thanks

[@southerncharminca]

Wow. What fine brush for the tiny hairs?

[@jilliancrawford7577]

3:06 do you have any advice on how to determine where and where not to put in fur details? I definitely have the tendency to tey and paint in every strand of fur or hair, even if it's unnecessary and doing this can make hair/fur look wirey or too course, but my brain keeps insisting that the subject is incomplete if I don't and I am not sure how other artists are able to ignore this urge and decide when to do it in some areas but not others.

[@EmilyOlsonArt]

I would say the magic lies in the midtones--keep your highlights bright with fewer details (and for sure LIGHTER details) and keep your shadow minimal by thinking of them more as blocked shapes. In those middle values is usually where I like to add more detailed brush strokes.

[@AyaSmith]

Emily, I was also wondering how do you recommend working with our reference photo… is a print better than working from digital? I’m really looking to improve that phase of my process ❤

[@EmilyOlsonArt]

I usually work from the photo pulled up on a separate screen. You can certainly print the image but unless it’s a professional print, some detail can get lost.

[@sundaysunshine2925]

Love your videos -can’t find the link to your book

[@rachellskerlec4713]

How does a beginner get better with sketching? Any resources you recommend?

[@reginabuchel6660]

Hi, I think a very good source is Brent Eviston, working with basic shapes, daily practice at least 20 min (anything) this really helps, drawing on the right side of the Brain

[@reginabuchel6660]

I forgot to mention John Muir laws for birds and mammals, there are free videos here on youtube

[@DawnRoberts-e4s]

Do you do some negative painting

[@tracyeddinger4905]

Hi! Love your tutorials! I’ve noticed when I am painting in watercolor I tend to lose the detail when layering colors. Not sure where I’m going wrong? I end up putting detail in with acrylic where it’s totally lost. Help!

[@EmilyOlsonArt]

If you want to make sure the detail is visible under the next layer, make sure you’re using fully transparent paint, and apply paint only once the under layers are totally dry. :-)

[@jenniferhosmer9180]

How do I sign up for your class??? I am so interested!!!

[@mariotscott-kiwi]

❤

[@elegw5072]

y HOY COMETISTE ESTE ERROR

[@carolgehman6036]

Mine looks more like your “don’t” picture

[@lovelyandsmartcommentator5130]

Why would anyone want to paint their pet.

[@lucastarrr]

IT'S MOTHER'S DAY I HAVE TO DO THIS OR I DIE 😭😭😭

[@t.roseadam6828]

I recently painted a long haired chihuahua and I'm glad that I ended up following your tips and tricks before I watched the video. The only difference is that I save my eyes for last as they are my favorite to do and I save them as a "treat" for all the other work done. 😂

[@EmilyOlsonArt]

I like that approach!