Majestic (What's It Gonna Take?)

"What's It Gonna Take?" is the name of a fun contest recently launched by 72andSunny,  NY City location.

Q. The public at-large was asked, "What's it gonna take" to get you to switch over to the new LG G7 ThinQ Smartphone?
A. Contest winner Eric said that he'd switch over for a giant painting including his 2 dogs.

And that's where I enter into "the picture", having the great pleasure to paint Eric's request and to work with Brigitte & the wonderful team at 72andSunny who's vision for the painting included: playfulness, majesty, dramatic figures dressed in classical (Renaissance-inspired) formal attire, a dramatized landscape, and incorporating the LG phone itself.

I took photos of the 36x48" painting along the way. Here goes (backwards)...
(Also, here's a link to more photos & info: https://www.etsy.com/listing/617694374)

finished oil painting (Imus, Eric & Jonas) 36x48"
* click on photos to enlarge *

detail

a bit more polish with the start of more detail

still rough, but the background is pretty much done

the first lay-in of color over the pencil lines

penciling in the outline drawing from the composition

after putting all the elements together; this finished composition is ok'ed

these are the main reference photos that we decided to use

Puci is a CopyCat

Every now and then I'm asked, or decide, to incorporate some aspect of another artist's work/style into my own paintings. It's fun, something different, and revealing.

The following photos showcase 9 of my own paintings. Can you name the artists whose techniques I "borrowed"? (Answers are at the bottom of this post.)

1. Chihuahua Winnie, 12x16" original custom oil painting
https://www.etsy.com/listing/540386045

2. Alice, 12x16" original custom oil painting
http://www.darlenepucilloart.com/Newsletter/2018/May2018/Alice.jpg

3. Carol, 12x12" original custom oil painting
http://www.darlenepucilloart.com/Newsletter/2018/May2018/Carol.jpg

4. Remi: Venus de Labrador, 12x16" original custom oil painting
https://www.etsy.com/listing/92998235

5. Let Them Eat Brie, 18x14" original oil painting
detail: http://www.darlenepucilloart.com/images/psyc_thrill/eat-brie-lg.jpg

6. Mr. Jager Von Meister, 12x16" original custom oil painting

7. puci's Vermeer, 8x10" original oil painting
http://astreetviewaday.blogspot.com/2014/04/pucis-vermeer-36.html

8. Theo Van Gogh, 8x10" original oil painting

9. Petey, 12x16" original custom oil painting

Answers
1. Frida Kahlo: https://mymodernmet.com/nickolas-muray-frida-kahlo-photos/
2. Kehinde Wiley: https://theprivelege.com/artist-kehinde-wiley/
3. Kehinde Wiley: this is the link
4. Diego Velázquez: https://www.timeout.com/paris/en/art/velazquez
5. Sandro Botticelli: https://it.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Botticelli_Venus.jpg
6. Henri Matisse: http://78.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m3742nMzPA1rrofwlo1_1280.jpg
7. Johannes Vermeer: this is the link
8. Vincent Van Gogh: https://www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/gogh/hd_gogh.htm
9. Maurice Etienne Dantan: http://www.lelouvre-antiques.com/pages/Paintings%20and%20Tapestries/Dantan914-37.html

HOME, 30x40" in oils: a painting progression

I enjoy sharing blog posts of my relatively large paintings when finished. This painting is called "Home"  and the photos below show how the painting evolved.

"Home" celebrates the new home of 2 lovely people whom I've had the pleasure of knowing since previously working with them on 3 custom paintings of their beloveds Boscoe, Willy & Mollie (shown together here).

You'll see Boscoe & Mollie in the clouds in "Home", expressing the loving family bond that continues even through the veil from this world to Spirit. Painting the beautiful landscape was like being a part of a symphony of various greens and also splashes of warm golds, oranges and reds.

The first photo below shows the finished painting. As you scroll down, you'll see in the last photo how the painting began.

Enjoy and thanks for checkin' in!
Darlene Pucillo (aka puci)
www.darlenepucilloart.com
puci@puciart.com

"Home"  30x40" oil painting

Some details (notice that R&T's faces are about the size of my thumb).

Me with the finished painting.

Detail of 2nd "lay in" of color. Now the real painting fun begins.

Getting some color onto the canvas with the 1st "lay in"
of thin paint, with a print-out of the painting above.

Projecting a b&w version of the painting composition
onto the canvas as I pencil in the outlines of shapes.

With the help of these (and more) reference photos along with R&T's
vision for the painting, I put together the painting composition.

  

The Kiss

What a treat to paint my niece and new nephew (a combined wedding gift from other aunts & uncle). Basing the painting on their stunning engagement photo, of course the snowfall, streetlights & Chicago's Union Station was a must-have in the painting, as well as the designs in the fallen snow (so much fun to paint!).

12x16" oil portrait painting by puci, "The Kiss"

The KISS!

legs and snow

Original engagement photo that inspired oil painting,"The Kiss"

The stunning couple, now Mr. & Mrs. H ♡♡♡

Feline brothers Bubbles & Buttons

These two handsome felines are brothers. Bubbles & Buttons. The hats satisfied the request to place B&B in some kind of a costume. And also pointed to their different personalities: Bubbles in something a little more 'formal' and maybe Buttons a little more  'flouncy'.

custom oil portrait paintings of Bubbles & Buttons, 10x12" each by puci

 

Schnauzers under a LuckyStar

One is named "Lucky" and one is named "Star", and both are very much loved!

Lucky was painted on his play bed with his favorite blue toy (and others). As well, Star is surrounded by his favorite things too. Apparently, Star would rather go for a walk than eat!!   (Hard to imagine!)

LUCKY, 12x16" custom oil painting by puci, 2013

STAR, 12x16" custom oil painting by puci, 2017

Most Beloved Maine Coon

The Maine Coon is a native New Englander, a popular mouser & farm cat & most likely, a ship's cat. But THIS Maine Coon named "Gandalf the Grey" is, simply put, Most Beloved.

"Gandalf the Grey", 8x10" custom oil painting

reference photo for Gandalf's painting

some details of the painting with "Lord of The Rings" font design

on the easel, showing finished painting & helpful reference photos

Bernese Beauts, a painting progression

In keeping with my desire to share the painting progression of my larger custom paintings, heeeeeere's Juno & Midas, the two handsome & healthy Bernese Mountain Dogs.  
(The first sketch is at the bottom and the progression moves upwards.) Enjoy!

Juno & Midas, 24x30" finished oil painting

the last lay-in of paints before settling in to some serious painting

getting the whole canvas covered with paint

adding the first lay-in of oil paint

the line drawing ready to project & re-draw onto the canvas

October is National Pit Bull Month

In honor of National Pit Bull Month, I've gathered my custom oil portraits of Pit Bulls (& Pit Bull Mixes) that I've painted over the years. (Some are details of larger paintings & are embedded with captions; they are part of my card/postcard collection.) Enjoy the Pittys!

Earl

Dexter

Cowboy

Duke

Pitty

Quincy

Rigby

Shine

Sutega

Ham

Miss Mouse

Lemmy

Peanut

Gertie

Mac