Watercolor Pet Portraits: 4 Ways to Start the Painting

[@jcepri]

One thing I learned recently, and tested, is that the shape of an animal's eyes is one of the most critical parts to get right in order to achieve a likeness. I always trace the eyes.

[@joannerobinson8746]

Always 🫡

[@libellula3313]

You are so right about using good quality paper. Thanks for the video. Jo in France 🇫🇷

[@EmilyOlsonArt]

Thanks for watching!

[@kimfleming4614]

Thank you, you are a great teacher!

[@EmilyOlsonArt]

You're very welcome!

[@DonnaVarno]

Thank you for such helpful information. Your paintings are amazing!

[@EmilyOlsonArt]

You are so welcome!

[@julianielsen1885]

Great video, I think I’m ready to at least give it a try.

[@EmilyOlsonArt]

Go for it!

[@kascialelonek8757]

I just sat down to paint a golden. This was great to watch before I STARTED. LIKED AND SUBSCRIBED, THANKS

[@EmilyOlsonArt]

Awesome! Thank you!

[@coviedogs]

Really wonderful tutorial!

[@EmilyOlsonArt]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@janconradt]

Very nice….. Good instruction!!! Love your paintings!!!!

[@myrnalandersartist]

Another excellent video! You explain things very well and your voice is pleasant to listen to 😊

[@EmilyOlsonArt]

Thank you kindly!

[@carolynbarnes5095]

Hi Emily, absolutely great video! Your explanations are so great. Thank you so much. 😊

[@EmilyOlsonArt]

My pleasure! Thanks for watching!

[@rudylorenzo9722]

You are the best, Emily! I’m serious about that. Is not just because you paint animals, is mostly because you paint them in watercolor! Your knowledge on the topic is impressive and I hope more inspiring artists see the value of your videos. Thank you for sharing your tips!!

[@SvetlanaWinslowSimpson]

This was very helpful. Thank you.

[@leylahim2977]

Appreciate very much your hard work helping us to improve our watercolor painting. I have being following your tutorials since pandemia lockdown and still struggling painting pets but think you give lots of tips and love how you teach.

[@EmilyOlsonArt]

What a kind comment! Thanks so much for following along!

[@victoriajane2468]

You have a wonderful way about you-such a cheerful, sweet presence. Your teaching is very easy to understand and your work is👌! Thank you!

[@rosiewillford2212]

I just saw your paintings wow

[@pjnava1748]

this is very helpful, from Philippines

[@ArtistRebeccaLS]

I love the freehand sketch method - and the wet into wet method but also I add background afterwards too. Lovely video 😊

[@paulinedavis3660]

You are amazing 👏 xx

[@EmilyOlsonArt]

🙂🙂🙂

[@AnnaKoehnArt]

Subscribed! I am also a mom (6 kids) and artist with an art youtube channel. I need to know and learn from other women like you! I love your videos so far and look forward to keeping up with your work.

[@EmilyOlsonArt]

Awesome! Best of luck on your YT channel!

[@AnnaKoehnArt]

@@EmilyOlsonArt Thanks, Emily! Any tips for me? Keep up the great work!

[@mariel3469]

Thank you so much

[@EmilyOlsonArt]

You're most welcome!

[@kesart2901]

Thank you Emily. You have a kind demeanor and your tutorials are very informative. I just started watercolor and ink for animals and this has been so helpful.

[@EmilyOlsonArt]

So glad!

[@VSBotonismo]

Thank yoy, Emily! You are very kind, friendly and a great teacher. I'm learning a Lot with you. From Vitor 0 São Paulo - Brazil

[@EmilyOlsonArt]

Thank you! 😃

[@iun724]

⌨️

[@sharonsands708]

Thank you for this very informative video. I have a dog portraits to do for a friend but want to do a good job, because it's intimidating, I have yet to start it. Because of your inspiration, I think I have the guts to do it. Thank you again.

[@kimdilello7841]

Thank you, excellent, concise advice!

[@loubarnard7847]

Thank you, you are very talented and generous in sharing your knowledge.

[@EmilyOlsonArt]

It's my pleasure!

[@courtneyrose5494]

great video thank you!

[@marthaband]

Wonderful tips Emily!

[@amberwilliams4210]

Truly a wonderfully helpful and encouraging video. Thank you so much and always in awe of your skill 👌

[@jessicaamorim4173]

I'm learning a Lot with you ! Thank you verry much for tour vídeos! ♥️

[@EmilyOlsonArt]

My pleasure!

[@javieraleyton9998]

Thank u so much

[@EmilyOlsonArt]

Most welcome 😊

[@crystalheart9]

Great advice Emily, thanks so much. I find curly fur the most difficult to get looking right.

[@EmilyOlsonArt]

Yes, curly fur can be a bear!

[@judymcgimpsey787]

Thankyou You make it look so easy.

[@ziasart4414]

best drawing channel

[@serenahopeisabella2226]

ur awesome😌

[@susanwilson1276]

Thank you for the tips, your paintings are amazing! Don't you use masking fluid? I like that idea....👍

[@EmilyOlsonArt]

Sometimes I do! Thanks for watching! 🙂

[@LoriJMarshall]

Thank you Emily. How did you know I was staring at a blank sheet of paper, waiting to start my painting of my Chocolate Labrador Johnny. 😌

[@EmilyOlsonArt]

Hah! Perfect!

[@tombryan720]

I know you're a great free hand drawer and great video as always. You really are a standard of quality work for me. For yor beginner students have you ever considered doing a lesson on using a proportional divider? What a cool little tool those are.

[@eswenfava]

what's a proportional divider?

[@gbozanic]

These are amazing Emily!!! Question...do you use a water soluble pencil for your initial sketch?

[@EmilyOlsonArt]

Sometimes, but usually just a regular graphite pencil. 🙂

[@jenniferheisler8139]

Do you recommend a certain transfer paper ?

[@jm85811]

For the small thin brush-what are you using?

[@jenniferheisler8139]

Can you only use transfer paper once or over and over ?

[@lauriecope6941]

Hi Emily, I have a very hard time painting on whiskers. I've tried many different ways but they never come out right. I've used gouche, acrylics & masking fluid. I haven't tried scraping the paint off the paper because it scares me. I even just bought 3 different liner brushes. What else can I do?

[@EmilyOlsonArt]

My favorite method for whiskers is with a tiny liner brush using Dr PH Martin's Bleed Proof White. You can also use white gel pens or even white charcoal pencils!

[@pink6194]

🎉❤❤

[@ilsenooten]

Thanks, I'm on my way to start my first painting by myself so thanks for these great tips😊 and now all I need is a creditcard-free entery to you're website😩🤪

[@EmilyOlsonArt]

Hooray! You got this! We are still working on updating the website. I'll make a big announcement once we have a Paypal option!

[@Kmaia.art1]

[@joanpringle-canning2834]

🤗🤗🌹🌹🍁🍁🤗🤗

[@marinaa.6478]

💕💕

[@DashaRosnia]

Волки, если со щенка с человеком, то замечательно живут дома: это преданный друг, ласковый, любит целоваться. Но не лает никогда, хотя может пытаться издавать звуки , похожие на лай. Ещё они охраняют дом. Да... Одна проблема: соседские собаки, чуя волка будут психовать и громко лаять от страха, каждый раз когда вы выйдете со своим "щеночком" погулять.

[@zs_dreamwalls]

I hate wet on wet because I use cellulose paper for a long time (%100 cotton is expensive) and this technique works very badly on cellulose paper. I'm afraid of using this technique anymore ☹️

[@EmilyOlsonArt]

Ugh, that's hard! Yes, it certainly is a different result depending on the paper.

[@mikel4510]

"Watercolor artists have all kinds of tools in their belts." So sad, I wear suspenders. Guess I can't be a watercolor artist - no place to put my tools. 😥 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@EmilyOlsonArt]

😆