April showed up at the shelter when my mom was looking for a friend. For this one, I did a preliminary sketch as well. A square format adds composition challenges, but also really focusses attention on the expression.

Animals definitely have expressions. A Labrador Retriever can be particularly expressive when making a silent request for food or a walk.

Using gouache lets me plan a painting with light layers and add depth with more layers. If I make a mistake, I can wipe off a forgiving paper like Arches 140lb cold press. I do a sketch underneath to make sure the proportions are right.