Saturday, March 9, 2013

Attack Cat


Skeets, the Attack Cat, SketchbookPro app
This was painted on my iPad from a 40-year-old small faded photograph; I don't think I've ever tried to paint a cat or a dog. 
Skeets was a tiny stray when she came to live with us in 1969; our first cat.  You'd think she'd be grateful for a nice home but, whenever her ears went down and her tail switched, the kids and I had to run for cover--she attacked feet!  She was a long-haired beauty who lived with us for about twelve years.  I have photos of Skeets sitting in an Adirondack chair on the deck, and our beagle, Cleo, sitting in the other chair--a matching pair. 
I need to learn about sizes of paintings in my various apps.  I thought this would be larger--maybe it's the Procreate app that creates really large files, or it's possible I have choices of sizes in SketchhbookPro.  I might have to read some directions.

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28 comments:

  1. I feel like I am being left behind as I read about you and other blogger friends (Eva) using apps for art making. Did you start with the photo scanned into the ipad, then use drawing/painting apps on top of the photo? I have so much to learn about techno art. Skeets looks alive and beautiful.

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    1. I just draw or paint on the iPad as I would on paper or canvas--I start with a blank screen. Photos can be brought into the apps but, to me, that would be like a coloring book. This painting is quite different from the photo(s) especially the eyes--I painted them unintentionally larger and meaner, then decided to go with that look.

      And it is a very large file/painting (1700x1300 pixels). When I emailed it to my desktop for posting to the blog, something somewhere downsized it--which is good; I always post small photos.

      The nice thing about the iPad is always close by--I worked on this off and on for about six weeks. I'm not speedy. The bad thing about the iPad is that I can bring this painting up at anytime and work on it for the rest of my life!

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    2. hahaha ... the never ending painting!

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    3. Yes--and this app has brushes that will apply tree trunks, butterflies, spiders, flowers, leaves, etc. They have all made brief appearances in this painting. Put them in; take them out! Never ending.

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  2. You are really getting good at this app! The cat and the wood are fabulous! You talk about the mean eyes - I think she's spied some feet. Her ears will drop and her tail will twitch next.

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    1. Hi Dan. If she starts moving I'll definitely haul myself out of here--she died about 35 years ago. My guess is she arched her back, hissed, and went after the unknown neighborhood dog who threw her against the garage and broke her neck. It was a sad Christmas Eve at our house.

      After that, all our cats were indoor cats.

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  3. Nice tribute for a lovely cat! I'm speechless about how you accomplished this on an iPad! Spectacular!

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    1. Thanks Gail. I spent a lot of years playing with Corel Draw Suite on my desktop. These apps are similar, and using a stylus on my iPad screen is so much easier than drawing and painting with a mouse on my desktop.

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  4. You are really good at that app! And yes, she looks a bit mean :) ha ha

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    1. Thank you Rhonda. I might actually try printing this one (or having it printed).

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  5. Hard to believe this is your first cat-painting, it's wonderful !

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    1. I've spent most of my time sculpting and painting people. If I tried to draw a cat or dog without a model or photo, it would look like a 3-year old did it. (I have a few sketches--all my animals end up looking like cow/lions!)

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  6. This post warms my heart..I had a cat, also mean...who looked a lot like your Skeets. Mine was "Ginger" named for gingerSNAP because she bit everyone (and esp their feet!) Turned out she was a he, but we kept the name (and reasoned some men are named Ginger in Britain)...and also I continue to get goofed up and use the she pronoun when I talk about Ginger. I loved that cat! You did a great job with the photo. I read your comment to Dan, and have the same thing to report. My Ginger died (in a horrible way) and all my cats afterward are indoor only. I can't ever ever take that type of sadness again. I'm glad to know that your Skeets and my Ginger were really loved so much, even though they were such meanies! Your painting of Skeets is beautiful!

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    1. I guess Ginger and Skeets were independent spirits--not lap cats. The loss of a pet is always terrible, even if it's from natural causes. The worst is deciding when enough suffering is enough.

      I like to think of Hazel, the rabbit's death in "Watershio Down." He was hopping along and looked back to see that he'd left his body behind. Maybe Skeets and Ginger have formed a meanie gang.

      Thank you Celeste.

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  7. Neat! I've never used digital aps for making art and it looks like you're getting great results. Love the story about this precious kitty.

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  8. Thank you Kathy. These apps are great when I only have "pieces of time" here and there--I need "chunks" for getting into the studio.

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  9. I knew a Skeets once. I think he was a hobo. Never cracked a smile. Not at all as regal as your friend in the painting. The digital media is really interesting. You've really got something going here. Best.

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  10. Hi William. This Skeets was found at a skeet-shooting range; she didn't smile much, either.

    My iPad and I have been together for a year now--I think we may be soul mates. I'm enjoying paperless and you're making paper! (I'm still working with real paint where there is no "undo" button.")

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  11. Hallie, I am woefully behind on blogging with my overcommitments at the moment and travels.

    The sketch and story of Skeets are fun. I am amazed at what you can do on the IPAD. I've played a bit with the free Sketchbook on my IPad. Need to do more and invest in the full app.

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    1. Thank you, Mary. While you were cruising around I got to stay home and play with my apps. I do spend far too much time playing.

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  12. Skeets was a beauty! I'm amazed really that you've not painted dogs or cats before as much as you love them. (And all of my cats and dogs look like a 3 year old drew them even with reference material.)
    Sorry for the long delay. I viewed this post over a week ago. Me and the internet have been at odds lately- I'm staying away as much as possible. But of course, I come back to check in on my good art friends! And on occasion, I pause to comment.
    I think in a past life, I lived as a reclusive monk. It was a simpler time.
    Hugs!
    Pamo

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    1. Hi PAMO. Your comment somehow reminded me that I have painted a dog--my adopted-for-a-while hound Elvis P. I made Christmas cards to benefit the local SPCA from his paintings.

      The reclusive life sounds good--maybe in my next life. Thanks for the comment. Keep riding.

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  13. Parabéns pelo excelente blog .SU

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  14. Being a cat lover, this really speaks to me. You are very talented, love your work.

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