Dodger's Blue Cushion

Ohh he's gorgeous just like my ginger moggy, love this pic!!

Just like mine too....lazy bunch these Ginger moggies.

Such a contented "smile" ....... just waiting to have his furry tummy stroked...... so real! Well done.

Wonderful pose - Love pusscat's face. Have just started work on my first oil painting and appreciate your comments about the water mixable oils. I don't like the smell and neither does my dog!

Interesting comment about water-miscible oils - I've rarely tried them - had a go with Grumbacher's a good many years ago - but a professional artist friend of mine produces truly extraordinary results. I've yet to be convinced, but this is a wonderful portrait of a luxuriating cat. Do you use mostly water with the oils, or mainly the special solvents that are available? I don't know that I'd want to stop using traditional oil paint, which is such a pleasure to use if you can stand the smell, but as an extra string to my bow it seems stupid to avoid the water-based oil; would be interested in your view if you have time to reply.

Ha ha! Angi, Sue and Avril, thanks for stopping by with comments. Ginger moggies are gorgeous aren't they, and they jolly well know it, and of course the best place to show off is stretched out on your own cushion. My fingers itch to tickle his tummy Avril! :~))

Hallo Brenda, I'm so glad you like Dodger's face, he is a bit like the cat that got the cream isn't he. I love traditional oils but I find I'm becoming more and more sensitive to the turps they use here in Spain. Some of the stuff literally takes my breath away and if I'm in a room with friends who are using oils I have to leave. So the Water mixable oils give me the opportunity to continue painting with oils which makes me very happy. I bought my box of W & N water mixable Artisan oils from SAA for a member discounted price of £32.40. As part of the package I got 10 tubes plus painting medium, Gloss Varnish and some brushes. Might be worth your trying them. It's quite hard to remember whilst painting with these oils that you only need water to mix and clean. so don't have any turps around.:~))

Hallo Robert, how nice to hear from you again, I've missed your comments and wonderful advice. "Luxuriating", what a gorgeously descriptive word. Thank you. I was introduced to the water mixable oils by a professional artist friend, and like your artist friend she produces beautiful paintings with this media. She only used water with her oils and so far I have only used water to mix my paints, a little like watercolour, rinsed the brushes in water and when I've finished, cleaned them with soap and water. On the other hand, I've only done one painting with this medium, Dodger above, so I can hardly speak from experience. Am in the middle of another and will see what the finished painting is like, but so far I'm enjoying it because I can use oils which I love and can work in comfort. I have no idea what difference it would make to use the special painting medium. I'm sure the make up of water mixable oils will have moved on since you tried them, so it might be worth you while giving them another go with a more up do date paint? On the other hand, if you are happy with ordinary oils I don't think there is any special advantage in using the water mixable ones? :~))