171 - MAO (WATERCOLOUR)

Gorgeous!

Very nice, I hope you take this as a compliment but it looks like a great cover for a childrens book, you just need a story to go with it. (Perhaps the writers could help ?)

I was amazed that Craig said that. Craig – I sure do take that as a compliment – my ambition is to be a book illustrator, even though I am now 57 (it’s never too late to learn). Years ago, someone used a few of my local scenic pen and inks in a magazine (a small local one) and it made me wish I could illustrate books. Last week, an American friend of ours said that after seeing my Mao painting she’d like me to illustrate a book she is writing. I haven’t decided yet, as it seems a big thing to take on, but Craig has given me much food for thought …

Go for it! I’d love to illustrate books and would jump at the chance :) Having said that I guess there would be a lot to take into consideration but it’s still wonderful and I think you well deserve having being asked, your illustrations are perfect for it.

It’s just a project between friends and i don’t know if it will get anywhere, but it’s all experience, isn’t it.

Very lovely. I’m looking for your graffiti shots…

This is a really neat picture!

great style, spirit cat looking to the heavens or bad moggy watching yummy bird. Colours are great.

Very nice work. I agree with the other commenters…I can see this on a cover of a children’s book as well.

you did a great job on this, it looks great and I love the colors

Dave this is a wonderful picture of your Mayo, I hope I can do something so wonderful with my Kitty kitty. I love this , you are so talented

Instant favorite, Dave! :D Fabulous illustration!

beautiful

wonderful work Dave, I love ginger tabbies! Had one years ago, and he was a real character…..

Sounds like Mao is a good children’s book himself, just waiting to be written! Love the cat, the colors, the lines, and just wonder what he’s looking at.

Being owned by 4 felines, I absolutely love this!

This is a lovely drawing! The cat has so much character; love the colour and the way the stripes run over his body. Plus he fits nicely with the background, especially the nice contrast between his orange fur and the bright blue sky.
And if that plan is still there to illustrate a children’s book, I think you should go for it! =D

Aww, thank you Dave! I’m glad you like that illustration. And yes, my actual goal in life is to become a children’s book illustration. So I’m working very hard now in college to hopefully be able to reach that goal in a couple of years. =D
Still, you should illustrate a book yourself, this style is really suited for it. =)

this is very fine work, I love the repeating patterns and contrasting colours….a striking image, and so friendly!

you are amazing/talent just oozes

Very cheerful and colorful, really like how you worked in “stripes” everywhere.

Another classic piece – very original

I love this cat! Reminds me of Alice and Wonderland… Well done!

Yes me too! Glad too… Great work!

i agree with craig..i mean it totally reads childrens book… great job

i love this cat – he is regal and commanding. wonderful painting

Love the strong colour
looks more like gouache

Great watecolor

I love the combination of patterns in this.

I say go for it – you have nothing to loose but a chance to follow a dream

Lovely he is!

Very nice drawing Alan. It’s evident from this drawing that you have great admiration for felines…..she looks iconic.

So beautiful Dave, charming, wonderful Cat, great colors

Sorry Dave. My mind was elsewhere.

I love the style of your work Dave… so much detail and beautifully illustrated.

“Low down in the talent rating???? fair crack of the whip,Dave,you are unique,and that is something all artists would love to be,by the by i’m surprised Mao fits through a catflap,he’s big isn’t he?and handsome!!!

wauw i always really like it when people use texture all over 1 figure, sometimes it goes terrible wrong but here it really works because your background is playing with the texture of the cat; great job

love your style, colors and textures!

I just read all the comments below and have to agree ~ you’d make a fantastic illustrator! not just for children’s books, either. you ahve such a unique style and exciting use of colour, composition…. I really love your work!

sally

This one is lovely. the colours are great.

Cheers

Karen

love the pattern, colours and the whole concept….looks like a knitted jumper….can you knit? :)

This is really neat image, I like your style of art!! It’s so different, I don’t recall ever seeing any art like this before or even close to it.

I love this, great colours and patterns

I really like the way you have painted your cat… even without reading what you said about him, he stands out as a real character!

this is lovely, I really like how you have done the landscape.

This is really good.

Thanks for your comment. The real Mao has competition now because we have a kitten called Mitch as well.

Love this:)

wo ai xiao mao!
Hen ka ai de mao!

I just discovered your cat.. it’s a great illustration, catched my attention for a long while. :)

love your cats . this on extra….

This is so much fun! And a very clever design too

I really like the way you do your cats…i have several myself…..I might be getting inspired….......

Thanks for bubble mailing me the link to this… I must have spent a good 15-20 minutes just looking at all the shapes and patterns you’ve used to create the grass etc. It reminds me a lot of quilting or patchwork and I agree with a few others on here… I can definitely see this on a children’s book cover! It’s wonderful!

This is just wonderful!

Not sure how I missed this one Dave (maybe it is buried somewhere in my favourites, I’m not sure) but he is lovely, and done in your unique and beautiful style :)

So there is one of your kitties….he looks like an emperor!!!

What a great image! This would be awesome for the new group Paws n Claws. You should stop in, it’s a fun group of Dogs n Cats.

so neat! i love his bright stripes :}

Beautiful Dave, I totally agree with everything above, Mao rocks , i started following your pencil thread as im just getting back to watercolour pencils after using digi for a few years and need a non mess medium lol

Don’t know how I missed this one Dave, what a stunner :) ~ Anni

Great work! Mao looks really cool! :-)

This piece would fit perfectly in the Painted Nature Group

And be sure to enter the Avatar Challenge!

♥

oh really? I’m sorry about that, i will accept it if you try again. :o)

How delightful!!!

This is a wonderful portrait. Cats make fantastic art subjects!

I love your style Dave. It’s neat to see the elements drawn using the similar kind of lines and patterns, but distinguished by their colours.

Absolutely dynamic watercolour sweetheART ;} happy hippy hugglez

What a beautiful marmalade cat. Fabulous watercolour!!!

delightful painting, this is beautiful !!

love the detail in this…...anna : )

Very impressive artistic rendering of the photo! I love it!

lovely work great imagination

Wonderful.

Great art:)