Working on Bumper

    I've been working on a portrait of my friend's Golden Retriever "Bumper" for about a week now. I'm making good progress. This canvas is one I built myself and I gave it 3 coats of thick gesso with a brush...Sanded between each coat so I have a good surface to put paint on. Details are easier to obtain when there isn't very much extra "Tooth"on the canvas. I really enjoy watching one of these large (almost lifesize) portraits come to life as I add the details. Canvas size is: 24" x 36". Medium is oils.
    I just got the photo that will be used as reference to do the areas around him (background) to bring him outside into the fresh air. The photo that I'm using to paint Bumper, taken indoors, was supplied by his owner.
    I'm bringing this painting up in layers of colors...Letting all the previous strokes & hues show through. It's a very time consuming process, but the end results are well worth the effort.
    Mahalo for checking in.
    Aloha Ohana, Timo