oil on canvas – Artist, Artwork, Art techniques

Commissioned Oil Painting : Welsh Corgi Dog “Loki”

Karin — Tue, 26 Dec 2017 18:48:59 +0000

Loki the Welsh Corgi was one of two dog portraits that I was asked to do as a Christmas gift in 2016, for a local client. The leather couch was a new challenge for me as a texture…and I am always up for trying new ones, since each of them is a good learning experience.

I really enjoy doing portraits of 4-legged family members, especially when the photo I am given to use has good detail and clarity like the one I used for this commissioned oil painting.

I also like to do some research whenever I do pet portraits, since it makes the dog, cat, or horse in the photo, more real to me than just being an image. I also try to get as much information about the relationship between the owner and their pet, because it helps me feel more connected to their pet and their personality. As the name says Corgis, of course, were originally from Wales, Apparently there are two types, Pembroke and Cardigan, with the Pembroke being the more popular of the two. In fact, the Cardigan Welsh Corgi appears on The American Kennel Club’s list of ‘Vulnerable Native Breeds’ of dog. There are definitely some noticeable physical differences between the Pembroke and Cardigan varieties, according to the breed standards. The Cardigan being larger overall, both in weight and in height, but both types have very short legs; hence the name Corgi, which is Welsh for ‘dwarf dog’. Traditionally, the tails of each were of different shapes, but docking became popular making it difficult to know whether the dog was born as a bobtail or with a long one. Generally speaking, the Pembroke is not born with a tail, and the Cardigan is. Additionally, the ears of the Cardigan are rounded, whereas they are pointed in the Pembroke. Interesting fact: Queen Elizabeth II, has personally owned more than 30 Welsh Corgis, either Pembrokes, or Corgi-Dachshund crosses (aka “Dorgis”).

– Much of the information provided above contains text from Wikipedia’s post: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Welsh_Corgi

Oil Painting Commissioned Dog Portrait | Charlie

Karin — Tue, 01 Mar 2016 20:26:56 +0000

Oil Painting Commissioned Dog Portrait |Charlie

Commissioned oil painting of a female Shih Tzu, named Charlie. This was a very difficult painting to do, since what happened to Charlie is so very tragic. She passed away this past August, from an infection that she caught while she was lost back in July…when she ran away after being frightened by some firecrackers that were set off by some neighbors. She was found ten days later, but the infection Leptospirosis, (a spirochete bacteria) that dogs and cats can contract from drinking from puddles or eating contaminated food when they’re outdoors…wasn’t caught by her vet in time. ‘Lepto’ is CURABLE with antibiotics if it’s caught early enough…so knowing the signs could save the life of your pet or someone’s pet you know. Charlie is still missed very much by her ‘parents’ who are my dear friends, who commissioned me to do this painting of her.

Here’s a link to more information about Lepto, on the American Veterinary Medical Foundation’s website:

https://www.avma.org/public/PetCare/Pages/Leptospirosis.aspx

“Charlie” ~ Oil on canvas – 8″ x 8″

For information on how to have my commissioned portrait of your 2 or 4-legged family member, painted…or one of, or for a special person in your life, Click here to go to my How to Order a Commissioned Portrait page. You can also go directly to my Oil Painting Prices page.

Artist Oil Painting of Children | Friendship Rains

Karin — Wed, 13 Jan 2016 15:56:33 +0000

Oil Painting of two young girls walking in the rain wearing brightly-colored raincoats. I was drawn not only to the bright colors but also to this moment of childhood friendship which frames this memory in a way that is so familiar. This was actually a painting I had thought was finished back when I originally painted in in 1998, however, when I began painting again after a 15 year hiatus to care for foster children and our adopted son…I decided that the grass needed more definition. I was much happier with the result when I reworked it in 2014.

$400

Oil on canvas ~ 18″ x 24″ © ArtistKarin Cohen

Artist Oil Painting Commissioned Portrait | Four Siamese Cats

Karin — Wed, 13 Jan 2016 18:44:38 +0000

Artist Oil Painting Commissioned Portrait | Four Siamese Cats

Commissioned Oil Painting of four Siamese cats, who live harmoniously together with their owners in Florida. Each cat had a separate reference photo, which all needed to be placed into one composition. This required quite a bit of re-sizing and cropping to get the composition to ‘work’, and I felt very honored to have the opportunity to create a portrait that showed not only the beauty of these cats, but also having them together in one portrait was necessary to illustrate their story. All four cats were rescued together by this kind and heroic couple, where they were being kept together in a chicken coop…located outside in Florida on a day in August! The owner preferred to have a completely white background to compliment her decor, and also not take away or distract from her two Seal-point, one blue-point, and a flame-point; Siamese cats…”Nellie”, “Samarai” (“Sammie”), “Elmo”, and “Thai Ling”

Having several photos to work from can be challenging, but also very helpful in being able to create a memorable portrait for these obvious cat-lovers.

Oil on canvas ~ 12″ x 24″ (not for sale)

Artist Oil Painting : At the Fair

Karin — Thu, 22 Oct 2015 19:43:21 +0000

Artist Oil Painting : At the Fair

Oil Painting of a young girl wearing a denim sundress and carrying a big-red balloon. The entire scene complete with a crowd of fair-goers’ in the background; conjured up for me a ‘snapshot in time’, of what may seem to be an event of a bygone era; yet in northern Maine can be found during almost every weekend in the summer. I was especially drawn to the vibrant red of the balloon in the photo, and the innocence in her sweet expression; as well as the opportunity to render some wonderful colors that appeared in the denim which had some beautiful colors of reflected light in the shadow.
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$325 USD (Originally $435 USD, before 25% discount)

Oil on canvas ~ 18″ x 24″ © ArtistKarin Cohen (1998) (Includes white wooden frame)

If you would like to purchase this painting, please contact me using the form below.

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Artist Oil Painting : Gabriel

Karin — Wed, 21 Oct 2015 00:45:01 +0000

Artist Oil Painting : Gabriel

Oil Painting of a young boy tossing a penny into a fountain. While driving on Cape Cod, I spotted this charming little boy doing something that struck me as such a definitive act of childhood innocence, and I felt compelled to re-create it on canvas….making & believing in wishes. With his mother’s permission, I was able to capture this image which makes me smile whenever I see it.

Not For Sale ~ 16″ x 20″

Artist Oil Painting | Swan : Graceful Malevolence

Karin — Wed, 30 Sep 2015 12:59:36 +0000

This beautiful Mute Swan, is a subject that I had been looking forward to painting for some time. I was totally drawn to all the colors that appeared in the ‘white’ which ranged from shades of turquoise, purple, yellow and ocher. Swans are such beautiful and graceful birds, yet they can become fierce and aggressive if provoked. I saw this contrast in the photo reference by Gary Jones, (Paint My Photo) of graceful beauty versus attitude, which I attempted to interpret and portray in this painting.

FOR SALE ~ $225 USD (Originally $300 USD, before 25% discount) Shipping is INCLUDED

Oil on canvas board ~ 11″ x 15″ © ArtistKarin Press Cohen (includes white wooden frame)

If you would like to purchase this painting, please contact me using the form below.

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Artist Oil Painting | Bo the Bull

Karin — Wed, 14 Jan 2015 06:44:10 +0000

Oil Painting on canvas, of a bull relaxing in the sunshine. I was treated to his massive presence frequently on my way to or back, along the road leading home. I was struck by how often he seemed to have chosen to be in the exact same spot each time I drove by. When I actually sat down to paint him, I was amazed at the array of colors making up his coat…many of which were much more vibrant than I had originally thought.

$225 (Originally $280, before 25% discount)

If you would like to purchase this painting, please contact me using the form below.

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Artist Oil Painting | Hara the Pit Bull Terrier ~ “I’m No Bully”

Karin — Wed, 14 Jan 2015 06:43:18 +0000

Painted in oils from a gorgeous reference photo by Shirley Davies on Paint My Photo…this is “Hara” the Pit Bull, (she is actually a Staffordshire Bull Terrier…one of several breeds that are often grouped together and called Pit Bulls). All the ‘white’ on Hara’s face, neck, and chest gave me the chance to add lots of cooler blues and purples, against the warmer yellow and reddish tones. The highlights in the deep brown on one side of her face had a bluish hue, which I used a bright pigment called cobalt blue to draw it out…whereas the fur on her shoulders being ‘brindle’, was achieved by using a mix of dark brown with reddish and yellow highlights.

Unfortunately, Staffordshire Bull Terriers, along with several other breeds, such as the American Pit Bull Terrier are being unfairly categorized as dangerous and vicious dogs… BSL (Breed Specific Legislation) has been introduced in some cities and states in this country, such as Denver, CO; where owning and keeping one as a pet is illegal. This is the case in approximately 12 other countries besides the USA. In many cases, family pets like Hara, with absolutely no history of aggression, are being removed from their homes; and taken to shelters. Often, since there are not enough adoptive or foster homes, they are even being euthanized.

There are many recent studies that show that these dogs make extremely loyal pets and companions, and when given temperament testing Pit Bulls score higher than many so-called ‘safer’ breeds. According to the American Temperament Test Society, 804 American Pit Bull Terriers were recently tested and 695 passed. Which means that 86.4% of Pit Bulls tested by the ATTS had a good temperament. The Pit Bull pass rating was above 121 other breeds of dogs, including Golden Retrievers. The only exception was the Labrador Retriever, who scored 92.4%.

I feel that these dogs are absolutely being unfairly targeted and malaligned by those, who out of ignorance that stems from being misinformed…especially by the media who has focused their attention on stories which are exaggerated and out of proportion. Stories about individuals who have raised their dogs to participate in the cruel sport of dog fighting, that many times results in the serious injury of the dogs, at times fatally… instead of reporting what are the much more prevalent stories about how loving, loyal, and heroic family members these dogs really are. I myself am a proud owner of “Bryn”…an American Pit Bull Terrier, our newest furry family member. On a sad note, unfortunately; we just lost our 11 yr. old Pit Bull/Lab mix; “Missy”, to cancer.

FOR SALE ~ $225

If you would like to purchase this painting, please contact me using the form below.

Artist Oil Painting | Summer Daze

Karin — Fri, 26 Sep 2014 02:57:37 +0000

When I saw the reference photo by Lorri Lang on Pixabay, I just knew I needed to paint it! The scene reminded so much of the simpler times of childhood, and although this was not a memory of something I ever experienced myself, I think with that everything our children have these days, being either automated or electronic… seeing a child spending a lazy summer day with just a fishing pole & a pail is something to be treasured.

I felt that the original photograph had a very dramatic look to it, due to the fact that it was quite a bit darker and the colors were a lot less saturated…and that worked very well as a photo. As a painting, I felt that it needed a brighter, more colorful palette, so instead of the camouflage-patterned hat he had on, I decided to have him wearing a plain green baseball cap…which to me added to the ‘simple things’ theme I was trying to portray. I very much enjoyed exploring all the colors I ‘saw’ in the boards of the wooden pier, including the yellow that was in the highlights, and the blues and aqua tones found in the shadows…as well as all the different hues that appear in the metal pail which he had set nearby, for his future catch.

oil on canvas – Artist, Artwork, Art techniques

Commissioned Oil Painting : Welsh Corgi Dog “Loki”

Oil Painting Commissioned Dog Portrait | Charlie

Oil Painting Commissioned Dog Portrait |Charlie

Artist Oil Painting of Children | Friendship Rains

$400

Artist Oil Painting Commissioned Portrait | Four Siamese Cats

Artist Oil Painting Commissioned Portrait | Four Siamese Cats

Artist Oil Painting : At the Fair

Artist Oil Painting : At the Fair

Artist Oil Painting : Gabriel

Artist Oil Painting : Gabriel

Artist Oil Painting | Swan : Graceful Malevolence

FOR SALE ~ $225 USD (Originally $300 USD, before 25% discount) Shipping is INCLUDED

Artist Oil Painting | Bo the Bull

Artist Oil Painting | Hara the Pit Bull Terrier ~ “I’m No Bully”

FOR SALE ~ $225

Artist Oil Painting | Summer Daze

$275