Shifting my mindset in my style of painting

 I’ve been shifting the way I normally paint. These past couple of years of painting on the iPad Pro using procreate has elevated my sense of creativity. I do notice my improvement and am simply thrilled when I’ve completed a final pet piece! When I find a photo of a cat or a dog that is a pleasing composition I never plan right. I never sort through a color palette or think of cropping or pick the perfect medium. I just wing it. And it always seemed rushed but acceptable. But here’s the thing-I need a sense of wonder. I need the piece to speak to me. And each stroke needs to be intentional. The piece has to be somewhat compelling to look at? 

I discovered an artist on YouTube because naturally I travel through its clickbait algorithms and after watching multiple pet painted portrait videos-I stumble on to a terrific German painter named Alpay Efy . His portrait painting presentations are simply delightful and straightforward. He explains that starting with painting the details in the eyes, the nose and then the mouth are the most important to begin with. So I took his advice and painted my photo of a hairless kitty cat also known as a Sphinx. It was the eyes! I may have elevated my art finally. I do plan to paint traditional pets in oil one day. But for now I’m very satisfied with my piece I created in 2 hours tonight. The background I struggled with a wee bit but hey. I’m on a better track now!!