View Full Version : Pawsome Portraits (some big images!)
AllieMackie
08-11-2008, 05:37 PM
Hey guys!
I've recently been doing a handful of promo portraits for a potential business idea I'm working on. Once I have some stuff worked out, I'm hoping to get it off the ground - you guys will be the first to know!
I work digitally, in a variety of programs, and try to do cartoon "caricatures" of pets. I do my best to convey individual personalities, and toony portraits make that easy.
Here's a few samples, mostly of border collies owned by folks from a BC board I frequent. Please let me know what you think, and any suggestions/comments are much appreciated.
Taz
http://www.knittingninja.com/art/dogz/tazzy1.jpg
Zeb
http://www.knittingninja.com/art/dogz/zeb2.jpg
Ness & Kenzie (a more solid shading style)
http://www.knittingninja.com/art/dogz/nessnkenzie1.jpg
Auggie, who some of you may know
http://www.knittingninja.com/art/dogz/auggiedoggie.jpg
Those are great! I adore the way you draw fur, it's so cute. Excellent job capturing motion with Auggie's pic! You've got a great style.
perrodeagua
08-16-2008, 04:33 PM
These are brilliant, really made me smile.
smkie
08-17-2008, 10:26 AM
Happy and inspiring work. STrong use of lighting, and i love the shaded spots. GLad to see!!!
puppydog
08-29-2008, 09:02 AM
Those are truly lovely!
Barb04
08-29-2008, 09:13 AM
Love them all!
MyHorseMyRules
08-29-2008, 01:25 PM
Wow! Those are fantastic! Very well done. I really like the shading you did, too. Oh, man. Wow. Just wow. I seriously love your style.
SharkBait
08-31-2008, 11:55 AM
i love these!! :D
How would you sell them, like to download or printed versions or..?
Momof2Pups
08-31-2008, 01:28 PM
I'm on the forum you're on and I've seen your work there. You do a great job! :D
AllieMackie
09-01-2008, 08:45 PM
Thanks for the kind words, everyone!
Currently, I'm working on how exactly I want to put out the illustrations. Digital (cheap), prints that are mailed out (pricey) and/or personalized products? I'd also like to do some "generic" but cool pet products for a broader audience.
If anyone has suggestions or ideas, throw them out. I'm in the brainstorming phase, I have a notebook littered with doodles, notes and mindmaps. :)
dr2little
09-01-2008, 09:36 PM
I love them but I couldn't put my finger on exactly what it was about them until I read Smkie's post...so, what she said!! Fantastic!
skittledoo
09-02-2008, 09:20 AM
Those are amazing. I would love to have one done of Bamm. Do you have a list of prices for different size drawings etc?? Also... out of curiosity what program do you use to do your digital art? I've been playing around in Image Ready with some stuff... and use photoshop as well...
xpaeanx
09-02-2008, 09:47 AM
OMG! those are soooooooo good! me loves them!
rayter
09-02-2008, 10:16 PM
You are talented! I love all the portraits!!!
inspector16
10-21-2008, 11:01 PM
I love them. They're so much fun
You could have them printed through Cafe Press or something. I used to do that and they do a decent job. And since you're working digitally, you'll be able to get a much better replication of your original digital file, versus someone who works more traditionally and needs to scan or photograph their work. But the nice thing about Cafe Press is that you just send them the file, and you're done. Otherwise you have to do all the printing, then packaging, and then shipping, which takes a lot of time and just isn't very cost effective.
And selling downloadable copies at a lower price is also a great option.
Good luck! :)
Lizmo
10-30-2008, 11:22 AM
I knew those looked familar! Your on the same forum I'm on. :) I love Taz.
Great work!
CaliTerp07
10-30-2008, 11:28 AM
I love them. They're so much fun
You could have them printed through Cafe Press or something. I used to do that and they do a decent job. And since you're working digitally, you'll be able to get a much better replication of your original digital file, versus someone who works more traditionally and needs to scan or photograph their work. But the nice thing about Cafe Press is that you just send them the file, and you're done. Otherwise you have to do all the printing, then packaging, and then shipping, which takes a lot of time and just isn't very cost effective.
And selling downloadable copies at a lower price is also a great option.
Good luck! :)
Mpix can do this too. They'll gift wrap anything you submit/order and send it to your buyer. AND they don't put Mpix advertising all over it, so your buyer doesn't even have to know you didn't do the printing.
SizzleDog
10-30-2008, 07:47 PM
VERY cool! I love that particulkar drawing style, it's very expressive and works great for animals - shows personality a lot!
Do you do shorthaired dogs? So many dog artists love long, luxurious hair but never do svelte, single-coated dogs. ;)
AllieMackie
11-27-2008, 01:28 PM
Woops, hi folks! Been a bit AWOL lately. :D
My business should be all set up in the New Year. I'm working with a friend to get the website up and running, and in the meantime, I'm taking simple portrait commissions on the side.
I certainly do all kinds of dogs, as well as cats, small animals, reptiles... you name it!
If you're interested in a commission, I'm accepting PayPal and would gladly take a portrait commission while working on getting the business set up. PM me if interested.
AllieMackie
11-27-2008, 01:36 PM
Here's a few more samples to show you guys the variety of animals I can do. :P
Hamish
http://www.knittingninja.com/art/dogz/hamish2.jpg
Rogaine, evil Canadian sphynx cat.
http://www.knittingninja.com/art/dogz/rogaine2.jpg
Pippin, an adorable bird.
http://www.knittingninja.com/art/dogz/pippin1.jpg
Tesla, a red-tailed boa.
http://www.knittingninja.com/art/tesla-web.jpg
smkie
11-28-2008, 10:19 AM
i epseically like the cat!!! Looks like your progressing quickly! By having lots of different animals your sure to increase your market.