Painted Bobcat

[Kerry Perkins]

I have been studying how to "paint" images in Photoshop using the mixer brush and various textures. This is one of my first attempts; as you can see I'm still a little hesitant to use big brush strokes... I used two custom brushes on this, one that I made myself for the bg and one of the standard PS brushes that I modified for the fur. This is really fun and I'm looking forward to getting better at it! I photographed this bobcat in the wild a few years ago, it was really a thrill to get this close and have the bobcat be so trusting of my presence.

[Dennis Bishop]

Wow, this looks like a painting. A very good painting. The color, the background, and the bobcat, of course, are all wonderful. I'd read about the mixer brushes a while ago and didn't try them out, so I don't remember a thing. This is going to make me revisit them. You did a great job on this.

[Jackie Schuknecht]

What a thrill it must have been. You really did a great job on this Kerry. The colour palette and the brushstrokes are beautiful. Looking forward to more!

[Nancy Bell]

This looks like one cool cat with that expression and relaxed pose. Looks like he is posing in a studio! I am SO envious that you found this animal. I have never even seen a bobcat, let alone photograph one. Wonderful background texture and strokes. I really like the way it blends so seamlessly with the cat. The yellow eyes and pinks on the nose and ears contrast so well with the browns & grays.

[gary ellwein]

Kerry, prior to this posting, I had never accessed the mixer brush. Thanks for the introduction. It appears you are off to a good start with the technique.

[Randall Farhy]

Looks like a canvas ready for framing, a solid representation of a portrait done in oils. I'm not sure who would have been more nervous, the wild cat or myself, what a beautiful image you started with!

[Hazel Grant]

I must explore this technique. Not familiar with it in PS...

[Cheryl Slechta]

Hi, Kerry, it's funny but someone at my local camera club was talking about this technique last week It looks like you've mastered it already! I have a bobcat that lives in my area - I saw him recently at the end of my driveway (long limerock driveway) when I went out to get the paper. He was pretty nonchalant - looked at me and slowly trotted off. He was beautiful and quite regal looking as is your image.

[Diane Miller]

Oh, man, I LOVE bobcats, and have only seen one in the wild. (Sauntering away from me faster than I could grab a camera.) This has a wonderful balance of painting and realism.

I love painting and have messed with Corel Painter on and off (mostly off) for several years. I think there is a less expensive version of it -- I only skim off the easiest 1% when I use it.

[Anita Bower]

You made this bobcat look like a sweetheart. I know nothing about painting a photo, but whatever you did, looks good. Beautiful, subdued colors. Fabulous eyes. The only thing that I'd change is doing something to make the bobcat look grounded, and not floating.