SCAREDY CAT IN HAND
An original pastel painting on linen board 24×30 inches by June Pauline Zent posted here especially for
Russel Ray Photos, Zoey the Cool Cat and everyone else who loves animals
This little kitten was scared of everything except me so when something spooked her she would jump in my lap and peak through my fingers with the biggest most beautiful eyes. I thought of painting her many times but how to get that expression? Finally it hit me: I sat a big mirror on the table in front of me and took her in my lap. Sure enough she was scared of her own image in the mirror. It gave me the ultimately perfect reference with her looking back so that I could capture those penetrating fearfully gorgeous eyes. Of course the model for the hand was yours truly. This painting joined several others to form a series Titled ANIMALS IN HANDS. I love to show the positive connection between all animals.
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Love it!
Oh, so glad that you do!
PRECIOUS!
Thank you so much sweetheart Madrea. So glad that you came here!
Cute kitten!
Very nice!
So glad that you think so and thanks for coming here!
so cute 🙂
enjoy your weekend 🙂
Thanks, and you do the same!
Beautiful June! Love the look in kitty cats eyes…fear and curiosity that only a kitten can do so well.
Thank you so much Mia. Yes she was a darling but as she grew older she became less afraid and more curious as is the nature of cats. The eyes are what inspired me to do the painting. As an artist you understand that!
You really are good at painting hands. When ever I draw (which is seldom) the hardest part for me is the hands I am therefore, in awe of how good you are. Oh, and the kitten is adorable 🙂
Thank you so much Maggie! Once you get past the meths about them they are no more difficult than anything else. I find they convey meaning that cannot be projected in a facial portrait. I really appreciate your comments!
Completely and truly brilliant as always!! Loved it!! 🙂
Hugs,
Sumithra.
Hugs right back to you. Your comments are so encouraging. thank you!
It’s amazing how life-like all your paintings are. Expressions in eyes are extremely hard to capture outside of real life I think, but this really feels like I’m looking into your actual kitten’s eyes. Beautiful work as always, June!
Well. I had her looking back at me through the mirror and I agree with you the eyes are very important Whenever you are doing a portrait of any animal, human included. Thank you so much for the wonderful compliments Lillian. They inspire me!
It must have been a very tough job. But it has paid off, the painting is really beautiful. The eyes are the catchy part. I hope there are more to come. 🙂
Thank you for your comments. Yes the eyes are very important. You can see more on my site now and yes I will be posting artwork and stories. I regularly enjoy visiting your awesome site!
She’s cute…and she trusts you! 🙂
You’re so good at painting! You were able to show her fear in her eyes. For me that’s difficult.
🙂
She did grow out of that fear as she got bigger but then I was the only one that she trusted. I think that its easier to capture animals or humans when you have a relationship with them.
Thanks for you comments!
What a great way of getting a kitten to pose! And I greatly admire your abilities with pastel. I’ve never been any good with them – too heavy a hand, not steady enough.
Thank you for the great comments. Have you tried soft pastel pencils? I use them for tight detail work where you need good control. I love soft pastels with animals because they are so easy to blend colors.
Sadly for me, yes I have. My mother was an artist and she had a good collection of pastels but I was never successful with them. One day I’ll try them again. At base I’m a watercolourist. These days I combine that with digital work.
Well, you are working in the most unforgiving medium that there is so pastel should be a breeze for you! I will continue to follow you and enjoy your post!
The eyes on the cat are just brilliant. So clear and alive, you really feel like you’re looking at a little kitten who is frozen in fear.
Oh yes, and so she was frozen other wise she would have made a poor model Her eyes were my inspiration, they were even bigger and more beautiful than the painting shows. I am glad that you enjoyed it!
loved the amazing painting! its so real …the innocence in the eyes of the cat is so nicely painted..
What a wonderful compliment. Thank you so much!
“Very beautiful,” said Zoey the Cool Cat, so she let me come over to have a look, too. I agree.
Tell Zoey that I said she is still my favorite cat and its very big of her to let my favorite photographer have a look. Besides this kitten was a long time ago; Zoey is here now and has such adorable poses. Thank you and Zoey for the compliment!
this is great. I love my kitty tommy!!!!! Love Marlene
I know that you do and I have your Tommy’s portrait half done but I am having too much fun discovering writing just now . Love you though!