Step by Step Miniature Wildlife Painting

"Sadie & Sophie" by Rachelle Siegrist

Miniature Paintings African Birds Birds of Prey Butterflies Florals Gamebirds Landscapes Mammals Portraits Reptiles Songbirds Larger \| Older Reproductions Highlights Awards Biography Blog Exhibits Galleries Publications Newsletters Resumes Miniature Information Books Definition History Quotes Societies Sitemap Detailed Sitemap Contact Order Testimonials siegrist@artofwildlife.com Links Artists Art Wildlife	Rachelle's "Sadie and Sophie" rendered in watercolor on Cresent watercolor board. This painting is a traditional one-sixth scale miniature painting. This painting was commissioned by collectors to feature their two Golden Retrievers.
	The original sketch on the board. The image measures 2x4 inches and was rendered from one of several photographs that were given to Rachelle by the owners of the dogs.	Initial washes of color are applied much in the manner of a traditional transparent watercolor painting.
	Further transparent washes are added with Rachelle carefully following the fur patterns. These layers will serve as a road map for later development in the painting when Rachelle will be adding the individual hairs and texture.	Adding in the eyes and noses helps key the overall values in the painting and heightens the joy felt by the artist as she works since now the dogs are starting to show their personalities.
	By using colors with more opaque pigments, such as yellow ochre, Rachelle starts to develop the intricate details of the fur. It's tedious but the result is worth the patience.	Rachelle continues to develop the intricate details of the fur now in both dogs. At this point their personalities are showing! The rug is also started with basic washes of color.
	The rug is finished and those special details such as wiskers and wet noses are added to complete the painting. Click the image to see the finished painting enlarged.	An enlarged detail to show some of Rachelle's brushwork. The area in the detail is slightly larger than an American penny.
	About the Dogs: (as of 2003) SADIE - born: February 12th, 1995 Sadie received her Delta Society Therapy Dog Certification in July 1999. She and her partner began work by starting a pet therapy program at High Point Regional Hospital's Adult Psychiatry and Restorative Care Units. They then helped initiate the pet therapy program at Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center working in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Adult Psychiatry, the Sticht Center's Transitional Care and Acquired Brain Injury units and other units as appropriate. Sadie also works with respite patients at Greensboro's Adult Center for Enrichment. Sadie has in excess of 600 volunteer hours at WFUBMC, was named volunteer of the month. received a "miles of smiles" award and was recently selected for the NCVMA'S Canine Hall of Fame as a service dog. She is included in "The Compassion of Dogs" authored by Kim D.R. Dearth. SOPHIE - born: October 4th, 2000 Sophie received her TDI Therapy Dog Certification in July 2003. She received her AKC, CGC Certificate in 2001 and her AKC Companion Dog Certificate in May 2002, having earned qualifying scores in three consecutive AKC obedience trials. She is currently working on her Companion Dog-Excellent Certificate. Sophie visits respite patients at Greensboro's Adult Center for Enrichment. She has recently started her pet therapy work at Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center in the Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Unit and will expand her visits to other units as appropriate.