Pet Portrait Painting – “Mac on the Bed”

Pet Portrait Watercolor Painting – “Mac on the Bed”

This pet portrait painting of a Black Lab named Mac is a very large painting. So large that I needed to specially order an extra large board for it. The board is called Aqua Board. Usually I work on high quality cold press Arches watercolor board, but I could not find one large enough for this painting.

A lot of reference photos were used to get to the finish. The most time-consuming part of the painting was of course the intricate detail and patterns of the bed spread and pillow covers.

I took a few photos of the progress of the portrait painting of Mac that are shown here.

It’s always gratifying to bring back to life a beloved dog that had passed. Mac lived to 15 years of age. Mac and his owner Reed were inseparable, and Mac waited every night at the front door of the house for Reed to come home. You can see that painting here.

Once in awhile I get to see the finished framed painting, but in this case, the emotional part is the poignant scene of Reed staring at his beloved companion.

Watercolor on Aqua Board

Size: Apx: 36″ x 48″

First photo of the progress of the Mac on the Bed Painting — First work on the Mac on the Bed painting
Dog noses aren't just black. Or brown. More than a few colors to make a good nose. This is where I started with Mac.

Second look at the progress of the painting
The colors are added to become more saturated.

Third look at progress on the Mc on the Bed painting. — This look at the painting progress.
I layer watercolors to get the final painting - this was done on a very large Aqua Board.

Mac on the Bed progress that is almost finished. — Almost finished.
Now a lot of work must be done to build up the detail and the color of the bed.

Unpacking Mac on the Bed Painting — Mac on the Bed arrives at the framers.

Last photo of the unpacking of the Mac on the Bed painting — Mac is almost unleashed at the framers.

Mac the Black Lab's owner looking at the painting — Reed and Mac
A poignant picture of Mac's best friend. Mac had passed a few months earlier.

Final framed painting next to the bed Mac rested on
This shows the final framed watercolor of Mac hanging on the wall next to the bed he always rested on.

Reed and Mac