Whiskered Glow: A Dramatic Pastel Cat Portrait
Enjoy this replay of one of my live classes from my weekly Zoom class!
Course Summary
This captivating pastel artwork showcases a feline subject bathed in dramatic light, bringing its soulful green eyes and velvety fur to life. As an animal portrait specialist, I used rubbing alcohol to set the pastel base layer, creating a firm foundation that allowed subsequent colors to remain vibrant and precise. By layering textures, I achieved life-like fur detail, glowing tones, and depth without muddying the colors. The strong contrast between shadow and light enhances the cat's form, adding dimension and intrigue. This piece embodies my love for animal portraiture and the joy of playing with light and texture.
Takeaways and Lessons Learned:
Foundation Matters:
Using rubbing alcohol to fix the pastel base helps lock in colors and provides a clean slate for overlaying brighter, sharper details.
Building Texture:
Layering pastels strategically creates fur that feels soft yet dimensional—patience and precision are key.
Dramatic Light:
High-contrast lighting not only shapes form but also tells a story, drawing attention to focal features like the cat's eyes.
Avoiding Muddy Colors:
Fixative techniques and intentional layering prevent colors from blending unintentionally, maintaining vibrancy.
Course Curriculum
Andrea Gianchiglia
