Written by So I was challenged by a former Guest Doodlewasher, Sarah Smalldon in the UK yesterday. After viewing the ever fabulous Jean Pierre Caniche, she liked my new poodlewash skills and challenged me to doodlewash her cockapoo, Rufus. I, in turn, challenged her to draw our basenji, Phineas. Apparently it’s also National Dog Day today so I guess it was the perfect challenge.
I think I should have quit while I was ahead because drawing fluff is super hard! I’m not a big fan of soft lines as many of you know. I had no idea how to draw Rufus and I’m not sure I did him justice with this sketch. First I couldn’t change him to pink as I’d done before so I stuck with just Burnt Sienna and French Ultramarine Blue. I ended with some wisps of white gouache because he looked like some bizarre body builder with skin condition before adding a little more hair on top. Actually, I think he still might look a bit like that, but trust me, this is much better!
I was given the cutest ball of fur I’ve ever seen in the form or Rufus and I couldn’t even see any lines. Rufus was like a begging ball of cotton candy, and so damn cute it was actually distracting to sketch. So I started with just the eyes and the nose, figuring somehow the rest would manage to emerge. Though I struggled with the body, I think the face is still there at least.
Meanwhile over in the Plymouth, Devon, UK, Sarah had whipped out this awesome sketch of our dog before I even started, so the bar was certainly raised. I’m so impressed by her sketching. The limited lines, and slight abstractions. Her doodlewash is awesome! And I love it! Though I’m going to declare her the winner of this particular challenge, I like to think it was simply because she was given a short-haired dog to sketch and could actually see his feet.
At any rate, it was fun to swap dogs across the pond in honor of National Dog Day and try sketching something new. Sketching other people’s dogs is like sketching other people’s baby’s though, so even if you like your sketch, odds are good it might still upset the recipient. Tread with care.
I hope Sarah enjoys my little cockapoo concoction and be sure to check out her Instagram to see the real Rufus in all his actual cuteness. We agreed this little challenge was tough, so next we’ll have to go back to architecture and sketch each other’s houses instead. Hopefully she lives in a castle. I can sketch those.
He is so cute! So Perfect with limited color pallet !
Thanks so much Snehal!!! Glad you think it worked. I had no idea what colors to use! Hehe
I think you did a great job on Rufus. Fluff is definitely hard to paint. I have a Cockapoo and you seemed to catch the characteristics of the breed well. Nice job!
Aw thanks Tracy!! Cool! I was completely unfamiliar with the breed as well as the fluff, so your comment means a lot to me! Thanks!
Love seeing your work evolve–and your enthusiasm is contagious…there is nothing better than crafting a story with lines and paint–and maybe a word or two now and then! 🙂
Thank you so much Eric!! Glad you see it evolving…I just keep trying anything and everything so I’m not sure what’s happening. But it sure is FUN!! Thanks for looking and reading friend! 🙂
Wow! I love both your and Sarah’s pieces! Totally different styles that manage to capture each dog’s uniqueness and personality. I would never have known you didn’t like soft lines. 🙂
p.s. this post showed up in my Reader! All is right with the world again. 😀
Yay! Everything is how it should be! Awesome! 🙂
I know! I’m happy! 🙂 🙂
Ah thanks! I just struggle with them for some reason! Hehe…and isn’t Sarah’s sketch cool? Just posted a pic on Instagram of Phineas staring at it…he loves looking at himself. He must get that from Philippe. 😉
Heehee…making fun of one’s partner never gets old. 😉
It’s cool…I don’t think he actually reads the comments. Guess we’ll find out! 😉
You could be in BIG trouble…LOL!
Awesome!
Thanks!! From Charlie, Sarah, Phineas and Rufus! 😉
Both sketches are lovely, a successful challenge all around. Rufus looks soft and cuddly, (I want to give him a biscuit) and Phineas looks ready for action with those perky ears and alert eyes, (I want to give him a biscuit too).
Thanks Haunani!! Phineas is either ready for action and constantly moving or suddenly narcoleptic and sound asleep. He’s a bit crazy, but lovable. Haven’t met Rufus in person yet, but sure he’s just lovable. They both accept your biscuits and return wet kisses!
adorable – both! 🙂
Thanks Jodi!! Sarah and I are pretty cute! Oh wait…you were likely talking about our dogs…well this is embarrassing… 😊
you are pretty cute too! In fact – beautiful! 🙂
Thx… Okay…now I’m actually blushing…hold please 😊😊
Love your humor! I think you really captured the personality in Rufus! I also like the other sketch of Phineas – so cool! 😊🐶🌟
Awww thanks Jill! Lovely of you to say! Rufus and Phineas would be best friends I’m sure if they lived closer and didn’t have to swim an ocean to visit. Finn hates water.
Both pups are charming! I think you captured Rufus perfectly, he holds together so nicely and his eyes and nose! Lovely!
Thank you so much! I really appreciate that as I was sort of lost in all that cute fluff. Glad you think it worked! Hope Rufus agrees. Finn loves his!
I think they both look great!
Thank you Nancy!! Rufus and Phineas are good models. But don’t ever tell them that as it will only go to their heads. 😉
You did a great job with Rufus! I think it’s amazing. Well done!
Thanks Laura!! It was sort of stressful drawing someone else’s baby! Lol Luckily it was hit with Sarah’s household as hers was a hit with mine. Not only did Phineas love staring at his portrait, this morning he kept climbing up on a chair to look at Rufus. Probably just comparing to ensure his portrait was indeed better. 😉
Lol! They were both really well done. Impressive! I think furry things are tough.
True. I think my first real portrait of a person will be a bald one.
I like the way you solved the problem of the fur…and yes, wonderful face on Rufus. A fun bonus of the challenge is to see the different ways both of you captured dogginess. Happy Dog Day!…in the dog days of summer, I guess that’s why this date was chosen…(?) (K.)
Thanks Kerfe! Super glad you like my fur solution as it scared the hell out of me. Lol And I have no idea how they decide on these days! Would be a fun job, like naming colors.
“He’s so FLUFFFFY, I could die!” Sorry, couldn’t resist quoting the line from Minions (I forget which one-#1,#3, #15?) when I saw your painting of Rufous! You did him cute!
Hehe!!! Thanks!!! Yeah… fluffy is challenging in watercolor! Glad you liked him! 😃
I love the long hair on the ears.
Thanks, Sharon!! 😃💕
[…] this blog for awhile, you might remember that Sarah and I drew each other’s dogs awhile back (Cockapoo Challenge), so we thought we’d try each other’s houses next. And it was much more difficult than […]