DAY 14: SPIKE’S NOSE
Welcome to Day 14 of the Painting Challenge! Wow two weeks of playfully painting is fantastic! I hope you’re proud of yourself. I’m definitely proud of you.
We’re continuing with another important part of a pet portrait: a darling nose.
This nose belongs to a beloved German Shorthaired Pointer named Spike. I had the honor of painting his memorial portrait a few years ago. If you’ve ever had a dog or met a dog, chances are that you’ve been mesmerized by that adorable nose. So that’s what we’re doing today – painting that nose. And remember we’re only painting for 20 minutes. This nose took me hours to paint so this is not the end goal of your finished painting. Just enjoy painting this adorable nose.
The Painting Practice
Remember to turn off your phone notifications before you start.
- I would paint this nose about 2 inches tall but not larger. So I wouldn’t make this nose larger than 2 inches tall.
- While looking at your reference photos as your inspiration, sketch out the nose. Just a rough outline will do.
- Start with the top left of the nose and draw the outer outline of the nose. It’s ok if it’s not the exact same shape.
- Next, fill in the nostrils.
- Then draw the philtrum (that line that goes down in the middle).
- Choose your colors, they can be whatever colors you’d like. Spike’s nose was a blend of different browns but you can also paint this black and white. Note where the darker colors are and where the highlights are. You can fill in the nostrils with black.
- Grab some water and your brushes, and don’t forget a towel to clean off your wet brush.
- Now, set a gentle timer and paint for 20 minutes for some meditative joy and playful painting. We’re honoring the love we have for our beloved pets today.
- Claim your creativity and honor your journey of showing up for yourself by signing your artwork.
SHARE YOUR CREATION:
Take a photo of today’s painting and share it with your community. I’d love to celebrate your progress with you.
As you share, I’d love to hear:
- How did it feel to paint something as small and detailed as a dog’s nose?
- What did you notice that you might not have noticed before?
- Do you have a special dog or story that today’s painting brought to mind?
If you feel inspired to continue painting beyond 20 minutes, please do. I’d love to hear about that, too.
Want to paint an entire pet portrait?
If you enjoyed today’s practice, I’d love to invite you into my free 5-Day Pet Portrait Challenge, where I’ll guide you through creating an entire pet portrait one step at a time—from soulful eyes and fluffy ears to the nose, fur, and finishing details.