No. 391: 'The Quintet' - A Canine Compilation

"The Quintet" by Tom Wills, November 2017. SOLD

I recently received a simple text message, asking: “Can you put five dogs together in a drawing?” It was followed by a flurry of iPhone pictures.

Hanging out, and over, at home.

Three weeks later, you are now looking at a drawing of five dogs that was created from 10 photos selected from among 15 shots. “The Quintet,” No. 391, is a canine compilation!

Hand-rubbed stain, oak frame.

These boys and a girl all were rescued or re-homed by a caring woman who has, over the years, networked with a handful of Mahoning Valley agencies that save pups. Over time, one by one, she has thoughtfully and carefully assembled her canine crew.

"Where's the treats?"

It hasn’t been easy and, with five "kids" there have been mishaps a-plenty. Though they are all members of the genus Canus and related on a basic level, each has a distinct personality. Clockwise from the top of the drawing are:

AKA Ralston Purina

Rawlie, or Ralston Rufferford, the first to walk through the door, 13 years ago, from Angels for Animals. http://www.angelsforanimals.org/ He is the old man who over the years has grown tolerant, or even resigned, to mom’s parade of four-legged guests. He’s pretty laid back, though kind of a whiner.

A start ...

Rawlie was a little tough to see in the photos, being at the back of the line, so I requested and was sent three more pictures, so that I could get his eyes and floppy ears right.

More details ...

Georgie, rescued from the streets. He loves only his human and is wary of everyone else. Whatever happened to this boy before finding a forever home was certainly bad.

"I love her. You, not so much."

There were two photos of George that I used, to get his antenna ears as accurate as possible.  They have flyaway hair and always seem to always be on high alert.

"What are you looking at?"

Rebel, from Legacy Dog Rescue of Ohio. http://www.ldrofohio.org/index.html This guy was half-starved when rescued but has since bulked up considerably. Some of his consumption has involved furniture, notably the couch that they are all on or around. He is described as a “doofus.”

I only needed the one picture of Rebel, who has a distinctive look. And yes, his head is that big.

"I didn't do it.  OK, I did it.  But I'm blaming the other four."

Boots, earning his place as the new guy, also from Legacy Dog Rescue of Ohio.  http://www.ldrofohio.org/index.html He’s a Puggle, a mixture of pug and beagle, a breed that retains the worst characteristics of both. Handsome boy, sweet of course, but kind of an asshole.

" ... and, I am not an asshole."

Boots needed a little extra work once I had the picture nearly finished: a nose job. Once that was fixed, he was ready to play.

The Gatekeeper

Gracie, the boss, from Northeast Ohio Lab Rescue.  http://awos.petfinder.com/shelters/OH684.html No one comes through the door without an audition with Gracie first. Keeping the crew in line is a German Shepherd thing.

"My conduct is impeccable. Mostly."

It took three photos to get Gracie’s eyes and nose right. If you look closely at the two Gracie pictures above, you can get an idea of how I combined them.  Light-colored dogs are always a challenge because they have to be dark enough to show details.
German Shepherd breeds, even mixed breeds, come across as hard asses.  But actually they are very sweet.  I have one, so I know.  It’s just that they are no-nonsense dogs, and they prefer to be the leader of the pack.

Floating.

I decided to add the furniture after finishing the dogs, because they looked as if they were floating. Adding the couch gave their bodies weight and depth, and the fabric pattern (whoa!) highlights their five bodies.

Stripes!

This is not the first time that I have been asked to combine various images of pets or people into one. It’s always a challenge and involves a lot of sketching and tinkering — no Photoshop involved. But this one, I feel, looks natural.  The crew looks assembled and posing for the camera, in one shot, as if waiting for a treat.

(Mom ate them.)

Probably Doritos.

HIGH FIVE!

Happy Thanksgiving from Tom Wills Productions. Holiday orders are drawing to a close.  But for 2018, contact me at willstom01@gmail.com -- or message me on Facebook!