Tuesday, May 13, 2014

Portrait of a cat

I never knew painting animals could be so much fun.  I found the reference picture for this pastel portrait from a photo I took many years ago but was always afraid to paint it....  I'm a dog person and never owned a cat but I think they are beautiful animals.....some with amazing markings and colors.  I hope you like this little guy as much as I enjoyed painting him!!

101 comments:

  1. Precioso retrato Hilda, has captado perfectamente la mirada misteriosa del felino. Te felicito!! Un fuerte abrazo

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Estoy muy contenta que ha gustado este retrato EVA! Lo agradezco tu comentario..
      un abrazo!!

      Delete
  2. I like this close up of the cat--the orange tiger strips and focused eyes. Very cool!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you STEPHANIE for stopping by and commenting on the cat! I appreciate your words!!!

      Delete
  3. Hola Hilda: Magnifica esta pintura, donde la mirada y el pelaje están inigualable. Felicitaciones y un abrazo!!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Muchisimas gracias MERCEDES por un comentario muy generoso!!! Lo agradezco!!!
      un abrazo!

      Delete
  4. Hi Hilda, it great! I've only painted a couple of cats myself and they are quite challenging. Hope things are good with you.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. thank you so much CAROL for stopping by to comment! I really appreciate it... it " was" challenging...lots and lots of layers of pastels..
      but I enjoyed it!

      Delete
  5. Like this little guy! Love this little guy! Great job Hilda!
    Love the cat's face! You captured so much in this work!
    I am currently working on a couple of dog portraits. Much work! As soon as I am finished I will post! You are such an inspiration!
    Meowwwwwwww!
    Your buddy!
    Michael

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. thank you so much MICHAEL ! I'm glad you liked this portrait of the cat...I enjoyed painting him and now I look forward to your painting....enjoy the rest of the day!!!

      Delete
  6. Loving the eyes and nose, and the of course the fur. Like it a lot Hilda. Did you get an email from me Re: Featured artist - you are sooooooo good My Dear

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. To me, the eyes of the cat is so beautiful.. I still haven't received the e-mail...I will look for it. I'm so glad you liked this portrait, NELVIA. Enjoy the rest of the day...

      Delete
    2. Pls send me your email at nelviamcgrath@gmail.com and I will resend. Wanted to feature you on my blog :)

      Delete
  7. Bonjour chère amie,

    Je te soupçonne de t'être transformée en greffier pour peindre au pastel ce joli matou !
    Le regard félin est sublime et profond.
    Un travail extraordinaire et titanesque dans son pelage. J'ai envie de le caresser...
    Les souris n'ont qu'à se tenir maintenant !...
    Bravo !
    Je te fais de gros bisous ♡

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. thank you so much, MARTINE for stopping by...I'm glad you like it....he does look like he's stalking a mouse..lol...have a wonderful day!!!

      Delete
  8. I love those beautiful eyes! Such a sweet face, Hilda. Well done!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. thank you so much DARLA for such a nice comment. I enjoyed painting this little guy...Enjoy the rest of the day!!!

      Delete
  9. Beautiful job, Hilda. Animals are a lot of fun to paint, especially with pastels. The fur is done so well.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. thank you SO much PAT! They are a lot of fun...I don't do too many but it seems lately I have.. lol the fur was fun because I layered so many colors together! Enjoy the rest of the Evening..

      Delete
  10. A fantastic and intense look , wonderful work on both eyes and fur ! I haven't ever painted a cat and it seems so difficult for me to get the fur right !

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you JANE!!! Glad you liked my cat! I loved painting all the colors in the eyes as well.. I don't think you would have a problem painting a cat! Enjoy the rest of the evening...

      Delete
  11. Such a beautiful cat, Hilda! Amazing how you did the fur, and his eyes are beautiful!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. thank you so much JUDY! I appreciate you stopping by and leaving me such a nice comment. Enjoy your Evening..!

      Delete
  12. Wow, I love the way you have painted his fur! Really lovely Hilda :0)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You're so kind, SANDRA!!! I'm glad you liked this portrait. I enjoyed painting him so much!!
      Have a wonderful evening...

      Delete
  13. I love his eyes and fur, you did an incredible job! I can see how much you loved painting him Hilda!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. thank you CELIA for stopping by and for such a nice comment!!! I'm glad you like him!!! Enjoy the rest of the Evening...

      Delete
  14. He is beautiful, Hilda!! I thought it was a photo in the thumbnail! He reminds me of my Seamus, though Seamus has longer fur. Same coloring though!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You just made my day, SHERRY...I'm so happy you liked this portrait....I enjoyed painting him...Seamus must have been beautiful!!

      Delete
  15. Hilda he is purrfect! I know what you mean about painting animals. It is very relaxing and enjoyable. Is that because they can't criticize?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Probably so, LINDA!!! LOL Animals are fun to paint and I'll be doing another one soon.. Thank you for stopping by!!

      Delete
  16. Hi Hilda! I thought he was yours!...Lovely job with the fur. Big hugs, Meow, meow!...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I've never owned a cat ...but I've had dogs all my life! I enjoyed painting the fur..adding layers of pastels made my day.lol Thank you for stopping by....

      Delete
  17. Wow- the eyes are amazing. I feel he is looking right at me ...and would love to know what he is thinking. I really like the way you have him disappearing into the shadow on one side. It brings a very intimate feel to the portrait.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You made me very happy, JULIE! I put a lot of colors in the eyes as well...as soon as I added that sparkle, he came alive!! Enjoy the rest of the Evening...

      Delete
  18. Dear Hilda - just discovered your lovely blog. Your pastel work is beautiful. I was so drawn to this lovely portrait of the cat...I have one just this color. Will definitely be back to following you. Have a great day.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Welcome to my blog, DEBBIE!! I'm glad you stopped by to comment..you're very kind!!
      I will stop over to see what you're up to soon!
      Enjoy the rest of the Evening!

      Delete
  19. Simply ... WOW!!! When I first saw this work, I thought it was a photo. You have done such a superb job of the light and the colors - love it!
    Kathryn XX

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm so glad you stopped by KATHRYN and really appreciate the wow....you just put a smile to my face!! Have a wonderful Evening.

      Delete
  20. Beautiful!!! They always have the most intense eyes, don't you think? Awesome work on the fur!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you SO much JOAN...I appreciate your very generous comment! Their eyes say it all...they are so beautiful and such a pleasure to paint! I enjoyed the fur as well!!
      Have a wonderful Evening...

      Delete
  21. Usually when I meet a cat, I avoid looking at his eyes since I feel there is a lot going on in that stare! Here I can feel what he is thinking, the eyes are mysterious and deep and the pattern of the fur on his forehead is beautiful Hilda!

    ReplyDelete
  22. You're right PADMAJA...this cat you can see what he's thinking about. To me, he has the "stalking" glare.. maybe ready to pounce... I'm so glad you like him....and he already found a home to someone who has a cat that looks like him!!

    ReplyDelete
  23. Ciao Hilda, non ho parole......troppo bello questo gatto, un dipinto meraviglioso. Sembra di poter accarezzare questo bellissimo gatto.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You always make me feel so good, TITO! Thank you for stopping by and for your very nice comment. I appreciate it! Enjoy the rest of the day.

      Delete
  24. Pues es una obra fantástica. Has captado perfectamente la mirada y ese tono canela de su pelo. Felicidades.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Muchisimas gracias, TINA ...lo agradezco tu visita y tu comentario muy generoso...Buen semana!!! un abrazo..

      Delete
  25. Dear Hilda, I was a bit 'late with all the activity of blogland.
    Your cat has a texture and character that you have just painted outside feline icon.
    Congratulations! Your cat is different from all the others, just as is true of all these incredible animals.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm so glad you like this portrait, RITA... I really enjoyed painting the cat...animals are new to me but I'd like to do more...Thank you for stopping by! Enjoy the day!!

      Delete
  26. Wow Hilda...amazing! The cat's hair looks so real!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. thank you LISA for stopping by....I'm so happy you liked the portrait! Have a nice day!

      Delete
  27. het is prachtig geworden net echt daarom vind ik het ook zo fijn om dieren te schilderen lieve groetjes Danielle

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. thank you so much DANIELLE. I appreciate your very kind words! Enjoy this beautiful day!

      Delete
  28. /\__/\
    (=°,°=)
    (")_(")

    Félicitations Hilda! (^‿^)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you so much OLIVIER!! Have a wonderful day!

      Delete
  29. He may be a domesticated cat but you have shown me his inner wild feline self as well! How wonderful!

    ReplyDelete
  30. I'm so glad you liked this painting, SUSAN! You're so kind...enjoy the rest of the Evening!

    ReplyDelete
  31. He's fabulous! Fantastic things going on in those eyes.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. thank you so much BARBARA... When I started to paint her eyes...she started to come to life....a fun piece!!! Glad you liked her! I hope you had a good weekend!

      Delete
  32. You've done a splendid job on this feline, Hilda!
    I think you would enjoy doing all kinds of animals! They show a lot of attitude and the eyes are amazing.

    ReplyDelete
  33. You're so right, DEAN! I think I enjoyed painting her eyes more than anything...then I put layers and layers of pastels for her fur which I enjoyed painting... I'd like to do more animals! Enjoy the rest of the weekend!!

    ReplyDelete
  34. His expression is awesome, you captured it so well! I never gave much thought to pet portraits either, for some reason. But you created a wonderful composition and expressed a mood with this piece, more than just an ordinary pet portrait. Wonderful work!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm so glad you stopped by to comment, KATHERINE! You made me very happy with your generous words! I truly enjoyed painting this little cat! enjoy the rest of this beautiful day!

      Delete
  35. Hilda, this is fabulous. When it first came up on the screen, I thought it was a photo image. Wonderfully successful piece!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you so much CAROL! I started off painting it loose...LOL Glad you like it... you made me very happy.. enjoy the rest of the day!!

      Delete
  36. I am a cat person (I was converted from dog person...so I guess I am a dog and cat person). Anyway...I appreciate a good "domestic animal" painting...and this one is outstanding! I like what Dean wrote..that it appear that you can paint any animal, and it will be fun to see what you tackle next. This cat looks like my neighbor's cat whose name is "Phineas" (but I call him Mr. Mustard). :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you CELESTE!!! you just made my day with your comment! Have a wonderful day!

      Delete
  37. Beautiful Hilda! I hope you will be doing more animals!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you so much THERESA for stopping by to comment! I really appreciate it!! I think I will be doing more animals in the future.. I really enjoyed painting him....Have a wonderful day...

      Delete
  38. Was für ein fantastisches
    Katzenportrait,
    einfach grandios und
    wunderschön , Kompliment !

    Herzlich grüsst dich
    Margrit

    ReplyDelete
  39. Thank you so much MARGRIT for stopping by....I appreciate your lovely comment on the cat! Enjoy the rest of the day...

    ReplyDelete
  40. Que bonito este gato, que mirada tan bonita tiene.. el pelo está fantastico! un abrazo Hilda

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Estoy muy contenta que ha gustado el gato, MARI !!.. era un placer para pintarlo!! Lo agradezco tu visita y tu comentario!!!
      un abrazo!!

      Delete
  41. Replies
    1. Thank you so much DIANA for your visit and for such a nice comment! Enjoy the rest of the Evening!

      Delete
  42. Dear Hilda:) I'm working on a pastel myself right know. Therefore I now you did an amazing job on this cat. Pastel isn't easy at all! I can recommend a cat as a pet. They have a lot of love to give. Have a nice weekend! Hugs:)xxx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm glad you liked this portrait, RENATE!! I feel the same about oils and watercolors... I'm
      always amazed how all my friends here in Blog land paint so beautifully with them.. Enjoy the rest of the weekend!!! hugs!

      Delete
  43. this is beautiful, Hilda. Thanks for visiting my blog and commenting on my value studies.
    They were actually very enjoyable to do. I also should do more of them.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm so glad you like it, MARY! It's always a pleasure visiting your blog! I hope you do more of them! Enjoy the rest of the weekend!!

      Delete
  44. Beautiful piece, Hilda! I love the quiet tonality and you captured his expression and the softness of the fur perfectly.

    ReplyDelete
  45. thank you so much LORRAINE! you made me very happy with your comment. I hope you enjoy the rest of this weekend!

    ReplyDelete
  46. Beautiful painting. Hilda it doesn't matter what you paint, the results are always wonderful. You captured the softness of the fur and the expression of the eyes, really well done my friend.

    ReplyDelete
  47. Thank you so much, JOAN...you're always so encouraging...I appreciate your nice comment!!! Enjoy the rest of the weekend, my friend!!!!

    ReplyDelete
  48. He's beautiful, Hilda! So life-like with his fur, eyes, whiskers and even that shine on his nose. You have such a talent!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you so much CAROL...you just made me so happy! I appreciate your visit and your generous comment.!

      Delete
  49. Hilda, I really love this. The head only is a strong composition.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. thank you so much SHARON! I value your comment since you paint cat's so beautifully!
      Enjoy the rest of the Evening....

      Delete
  50. Hello! I was on Rita's blog when I noticed your blog, and that you painted in pastels, so I came over to visit you. I also love pastel painting, and do a little myself. I really admire your work Hilda, and will be following you from now on. I only start blogging again as from mid June, so see you then!:)

    ReplyDelete
  51. Thank you so much for your visit and for your very generous comment! I appreciate it...Welcome to my blog and will see you soon!!! Enjoy your time away!!!

    ReplyDelete
  52. I absolutely LOVE this! What a wonderful piece, Hilda!!!!!!

    ReplyDelete
  53. You're so kind, CLAIRE! I'm so glad you liked this portrait. I really enjoyed painting him and would love to do more animals...Enjoy this beautiful day!!!

    ReplyDelete
  54. You did a beautiful job..This is so beautiful...I think animals are hard to capture..well done

    ReplyDelete
  55. thank you so much PAGE! Such a nice comment to start my day with. I enjoyed painting this very much!
    and appreciate your words...

    ReplyDelete
  56. You did a wonderful job on this Kitty! Don't be afraid of tackling anything new, that's how we all grow and learn!
    Well done!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. thank you SO much DIANA!! I value your comments!!! Glad you stopped by!!!

      Delete
  57. Beautiful cat portrait! Happy 'Pastelling'.

    ReplyDelete
  58. You're so kind, NORA!!! Thanks for stopping by to comment! Enjoy this beautiful day!!!

    ReplyDelete
  59. Stunning portrait ... I thought it was a photo at first. Outstandingly good, and great composition. Brilliant!!!

    ReplyDelete
  60. Such a nice comment, JOHN! I'm glad you stopped by. I appreciate your nice words...!!!

    ReplyDelete
  61. oh WOW! That fur looks real. Wonderful job on this one!

    ReplyDelete
  62. thank you CATHY!!! You just made my day with your comment! Have a wonderful day!!!

    ReplyDelete