Henry: by John Morfis

A Portrait of Henry

Henry: by John Morfis
Henry 11×14 Oil on Canvas

For my wife’s birthday, no I’m not announcing her age, I painted a portrait of our three year old English Springer Spaniel “Henry”. I had taken Henry into our yard for a photo shoot and promised him treats while I took dozens and dozens of photographs of him.

I choose the photograph I though would make the best looking painting and cropped it so that it would translate well into an 11″ x 14″ painting. Armed with my oil paints I completed this painting in one sitting. I don’t usually paint alla prima but for this painting I wanted to get a soft, loose look. I know my wife is fond of the impressionists so I was aiming to please!

My wife was super surprised and extremely happy with her painting. I had it framed in an elegant distressed-black frame and it now hangs in our living room.

5 Comments

    1. John Morfis says:

      Thanks, I don’t normally complete a painting in one sitting but this was an exception.

  1. elaine dobrowolski says:

    Henry turned out awesome….*really likin’ the loose painterly approach…..well done !

    1. John Morfis says:

      This was painted in one sitting, which is something I rarely do Elaine. That probably explains the looser approach.

      1. elaine dobrowolski says:

        It’s great to see. The way you handled the value changes in the whites plus the shadows. In addition ….the browns….Geez….just super….you really nailed it. I have trouble with white. Then the browns……that’s another obstacle I am trying to overcome. I am particularly appreciative of the awesome results & in admiration of your sweet painting of your Henry as I am primarily, a plein aire painter. As of yet…I have not attempted plein airing a live subject.

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