Rib Test
for early canine obesity
... a happy, healthy dog is the message...
Important subtleties
I love dogs. I am a dog person. When LLNS approached me about creating an image of a beagle undergoing a rib test (a quick test to see if a dog is beginning to put on weight) I was delighted to accept the project. My delight grew even greater when they mentioned they were after a realistically painted look – I enjoy painting, whether traditional or digital. They sent me the following mockup, and I knew right away some adjustments were needed.
As a dog person, I knew this dog was not happy. And a happy, healthy dog is the message, so the head was raised and the body turned a bit to greet the viewer. Proportions and color were adjusted and idealized. A happy, healthy, perfect dog was drawn. A perfect dog that was just beginning to put on weight.
Important accuracy
The final sketch change was to move the position of the hands – a subtle but important adjustment. "Go to final" was given and the painting began. I used Corel Painter for the base colors because it's smeariness is still the best paint emulation. I finished with Photoshop because its brush controls are less complex and I didn't need the smeariness to render the bristles of hair.
My wife is my best critic – she says it looks like someone doing a handstand on a beagle. Yep... she keeps me humble.
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