The Process:  How I create a painting
We accept Visa and MasterCard I love painting my Pugs and Dog Pals!

Each one brings me new joy and excitement. 


Pug and Dog Art by Melissa Langer

I am often asked how I create my paintings and capture the expressions in my characters.  The answer is, I am not exactly sure how I do it, or where the creative energy comes from.  I do know that I cannot create one everyday.  It is a energy that builds, and I can actually feel a painting coming on.  It is a fun and creative process.

I am a self taught artist.  My passion is working with acrylics on wood.  I love how the paint glides across the wood, often revealing a subtle, natural grain of the surface below. I documented stages of the painting process to show you how I do it.

I start with a 8 x 10 x 3/4 piece of hemlock wood and sketch my subject in pencil. Then I decide upon the colors I will use, mix my paints, and start painting the head and body. I work on the shading the fur as I go. I often add a bit more detail at the end of the process but most of it is put down in this stage. I then move on to the ears, eyes, muzzle, nose and mouth. I usually paint in the background before I put in the final touches and wrinkles.

Voila! A new Pug or Dog is born in the Pug Notes family.

Sketch on wood of Pug Design A58 Fur and Shading Features and Expressions Fine Lines and Background
Sketch Fur and Shading Features and Expressions Fine Lines and Background
       
Two cats sketched on wood. Fur and Shading Features and Expressions Fine Lines and Background
Sketch Fur and Shading Features and Expressions Fine Lines and Background
       
The painting process of Pug A66 The painting process of Pug A66  Pug Design A66
Ready for a background... Red!  Pug Painting A66 
     
The painting process of Pug A67   The painting process of Pug A67 Pug Design A67 
Working on the faces... Fine Lines are next... Pug Painting A67 

If you enjoyed this demonstration, please click the links and keep reading to learn more about Melissa, Emmitt and the story of how Pug Notes & Dog Art Studio came to be.

You may also read what others are saying about her work.

Please feel free to contact me anytime with questions or comments.  I would love to hear from you.