Home » Artwork » Original Art » Portrait Artist » Pets and Other Animals
Pets and Other Animals
www.PortraitArtist1.com
Portraits and Portrait Commission Fees
“Old Timer” by N. Santoleri 1990 watercolor 
“Priscilla and Piglets” by N. Santoleri 1986 
Get Down from There, You’re Scaring the Fish 
“Dog Blankets” by N. Santoleri 
Old Dog Ross by Nicholas Santoleri
As with human portraits, painting pets and other animals accurately can be challenging. In order to capture their true essence, I find that I need to empathize with my subject. I do not have to go to great lengths to do this. It just comes naturally. For instance, when painting loyalty in a faithful dog’s eyes, I try to see the world through those eyes. Similarly, I try to inhabit the skin beneath the matted fur or under the smooth silky coat. If I try to imagine feeling like a dog, I am better able to represent the dog, almost as if I am representing myself. In this way, I believe that on some level, we are all connected.
When I painted Old Timer, it was a very warm day and as I sat watching that doggy flick his tail in and out from bright sunlight to cool shadow, over and over, I knew just how he felt! Another time, I went to the Philadelphia Zoo to draw a gorilla. I don’t remember the big guy’s name now, but I do remember how he sat there motionless for over and hour while I sketched him. The weirdest thing of all was when I got up, he got up! It had been no different than an actual session with a human being. There was definitely a connection between us. That’s the way it always is for me when drawing animals. There is an invisible bond between us; a drawing of the animal’s spirit into my own.
How to Commission Original Artwork by Santoleri:
Nick Santoleri ~ Artist | Pine Ridge Productions, Inc.
1515 West Chester Pike Unit A-6, West Chester, PA 19382
In Historic Chester County, Pennsylvania
S. Beck OK
