{"id":39148,"date":"2023-03-12T13:37:05","date_gmt":"2023-03-12T13:37:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\/?page_id=39148"},"modified":"2026-04-03T17:50:47","modified_gmt":"2026-04-03T17:50:47","slug":"dog-portrait-on-black-canvas","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\/dog-portrait-on-black-canvas","title":{"rendered":"Dog Portrait on Black Canvas"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"coursetitlecontainer\">\n<div class=\"coursetitle\">\n<h1>Dog Portrait on Black Canvas<\/h1>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"coursetitledes\"><span>CLASS<\/span><i class=\"far fa-chart-bar\" style=\"margin-left:10px; margin-right:5px;\"><\/i>Beginner<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/p>\n<div class=\"insertbackground\">\n<div class=\"removep\">\n<div class=\"videoflexwrapper\">\n<div class=\"videotop\">\n  <iframe loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/player.vimeo.com\/video\/1154326871?h=339bcabfda\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"autoplay; fullscreen; picture-in-picture\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<div style=\"clear:both;\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"sidebartop\">\n<div class=\"vertalign\">\n<div class=\"logoimage\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/logosmall75.png\"><\/div>\n<p>\n    <div class=\"sidebarcarddescriptiondark\">\n<span>JOIN THE VIRTUAL INSTRUCTOR<\/span><br>\n    Get ALL of our courses, ebooks, live lessons, critiques, lesson plans and more today.\n<\/div>\n    <\/p>\n<div class=\"sidebarbuttonholder\"><a href=\"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"sidebuttonsmem\">START FREE TRIAL<\/div>\n<p><\/a><\/p>\n<div class=\"separator\" style=\"margin-top:1.5em;\">or<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\/register-ll-oil-dog\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"sidebuttons\">BUY CLASS $67<\/div>\n<p><\/a>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"clear:both;\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"courseperkscontainer\">\n<div class=\"courseperks\"><span>This lesson series features:<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"courseperks\"><i class=\"far fa-clock\" style=\"margin-right:10px;\"><\/I>6 Hours of Instruction<\/div>\n<div class=\"courseperks\"><i class=\"fas fa-film\" style=\"margin-right:10px;\"><\/I>6 Videos<\/div>\n<div style=\"clear:both;\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"clear:both;\"><\/div>\n<p>\n\n<div class=\"contentfix\">\n<div class=\"favorites\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tabs\">\n<p> <input name=\"tabs\" type=\"radio\" id=\"tab-1\" class=\"input\"\/><br \/>\n  <label for=\"tab-1\" class=\"label\">Lessons <i class=\"fas fa-angle-down\" style=\"margin-left:2px;\"><\/i><\/label><\/p>\n<div class=\"panel\">\n<h2>Lessons<\/h2>\n\n<\/p>\n<p><div class=\"curriculumcontainer\">\n<a href=\"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\" class=\"curriculum\"><i class=\"fas fa-lock\" style=\"margin-right:5px;\"><\/i>Lesson 1: (1:08:30)<\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\" class=\"curriculum\"><i class=\"fas fa-lock\" style=\"margin-right:5px;\"><\/i>Lesson 2: (1:15:10)<\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\" class=\"curriculum\"><i class=\"fas fa-lock\" style=\"margin-right:5px;\"><\/i>Lesson 3: (1:11:32)<\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\" class=\"curriculum\"><i class=\"fas fa-lock\" style=\"margin-right:5px;\"><\/i>Lesson 4: (1:11:59)<\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\" class=\"curriculum\"><i class=\"fas fa-lock\" style=\"margin-right:5px;\"><\/i>Lesson 5: (1:05:50)<\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\" class=\"curriculum\"><i class=\"fas fa-lock\" style=\"margin-right:5px;\"><\/i>Lesson 6: (58:20)<\/a>\n<\/div>\n<\/p>\n<p><\/div>\n<p><input name=\"tabs\" type=\"radio\" id=\"tab-2\" checked=\"checked\" class=\"input\"\/><br \/>\n  <label for=\"tab-2\" class=\"label\">About <i class=\"fas fa-angle-down\" style=\"margin-left:2px;\"><\/i><\/label><\/p>\n<div class=\"panel\">\n<h2>About This Lesson Series...<\/h2>\n<p>\nThe <em>Dog Portrait on Black Canvas<\/em> class is a comprehensive lesson designed to help artists create a striking, realistic portrait of a dog using oil paints on a black canvas. This class emphasizes observation, value control, and layering techniques, demonstrating how working on a dark surface can enhance contrast and make highlights pop. By the end of the lesson, you\u2019ll understand how to approach dark backgrounds while maintaining vibrant and lifelike colors.\n<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/Dog-Portrait-Complete.jpg\" alt=\"Dog portrait with oil paints\"><\/p>\n<h2>Preparing the Black Canvas<\/h2>\n<p>\nThe class begins with preparing the black canvas and planning the composition. You\u2019ll learn how to transfer the initial sketch accurately, ensuring that the dog\u2019s proportions and facial features are correct. This preparation is critical for maintaining a strong foundation, allowing the oils to build depth and texture effectively on the dark surface.\n<\/p>\n<h2>Building Layers of Color<\/h2>\n<p>\nOnce the drawing is in place, you\u2019ll start applying oil paints in layers. The lesson demonstrates how to build up color gradually, blending and layering pigments to achieve smooth transitions and rich, dimensional tones. Special attention is given to how colors appear differently on a black surface, teaching you techniques to enhance vibrancy and luminosity.\n<\/p>\n<h2>Creating Realistic Fur<\/h2>\n<p>\nRendering realistic fur is a key focus of this class. You\u2019ll learn how to use directional strokes and varied pressure to mimic the texture and flow of the dog\u2019s coat. The instructor shows how to combine multiple colors to suggest highlights, midtones, and shadows, giving the fur a lifelike appearance. Techniques for softening edges and adding subtle details help bring the portrait to life.\n<\/p>\n<h2>Highlighting Features and Expression<\/h2>\n<p>\nSpecial emphasis is placed on the dog\u2019s eyes, nose, and facial features, which are essential for conveying personality and expression. The class demonstrates how to enhance highlights and contrasts to create depth and realism. You\u2019ll learn how to focus attention on key areas while keeping supporting regions softer and more subtle.\n<\/p>\n<h2>Final Touches and Finishing Techniques<\/h2>\n<p>\nIn the final stages, the class shows how to refine the portrait, unify colors, and strengthen contrasts. Tips are provided for enhancing small details and maintaining harmony throughout the piece. By the end of the lesson, you\u2019ll have a polished, vibrant dog portrait on a black canvas, along with valuable skills for working with oil paints on dark surfaces.\n<\/p>\n<h2>Specific Lessons<\/h2>\n<h3>Lesson 1 (1:08:30) <\/h3>\n<p>In lesson one, we sketch out the contours of the dog on plain paper and discuss the process of transferring our image to the final canvas.<\/p>\n<h3>Lesson 2 (1:15:10) <\/h3>\n<p>In lesson two, we begin to apply oil paint using a soft, scumbled application.<\/p>\n<h3>Lesson 3 (1:11:32) <\/h3>\n<p>In lesson three, we continue working on the face of the dog, working our way to the left.<\/p>\n<h3>Lesson 4 (1:11:59) <\/h3>\n<p>In lesson four, we develop the texture of the nose of the dog.<\/p>\n<h3>Lesson 5 (1:05:50) <\/h3>\n<p>In lesson five, we begin painting the texture of the fur.<\/p>\n<h3>Lesson 6 (58:20) <\/h3>\n<p>In lesson six, we complete the painting by adding glazes.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>  <input name=\"tabs\" type=\"radio\" id=\"tab-3\" class=\"input\"\/><br \/>\n  <label for=\"tab-3\" class=\"label\">Resources <i class=\"fas fa-angle-down\" style=\"margin-left:2px;\"><\/i><\/label><\/p>\n<div class=\"panel\">\n<h2>Resources for this Lesson...<\/h2>\n<p><i class=\"fas fa-exclamation-triangle\" style=\"margin-right:10px;\"><\/I>Distributing any content downloaded from this site is strictly prohibited and against the terms and conditions of use.<\/p>\n\n<\/p>\n<h4>References<\/h4>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><i class=\"fas fa-lock\" style=\"margin-right:10px;\"><\/I>Photo Reference<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><i class=\"fas fa-lock\" style=\"margin-right:10px;\"><\/I>Finished Result<\/a><\/p>\n<p><\/div>\n<p><input name=\"tabs\" type=\"radio\" id=\"tab-4\" class=\"input\"\/><br \/>\n  <label for=\"tab-4\" class=\"label\">Materials <i class=\"fas fa-angle-down\" style=\"margin-left:10px;\"><\/i><\/label><\/p>\n<div class=\"panel\">\n<h2>Here's what you'll need...<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3EZVs79\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">9\" by 12\" Canvas Board<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3ZGdALa\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Black Acrylic Paint<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3ZutLvp\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Oil Paints<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3ybZgOW\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Bristle Brushes<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>(Disclosure: Links to art materials are affiliate links which means we make a small commission if you purchase at no additional cost to you.)<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"sidebarbottom\">\n<div class=\"relatedcourse\">Your Instructor<\/div>\n<div class=\"instructor\">\n<div class=\"instructorimage\">\n<div class=\"instructorpic\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/ashley-hurst.png\" alt=\"Ashley Hurst - Instructor\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"instructorname\">Ashley Hurst<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"instructordes\">\n<p>Expert teacher and visual artist. Ashley is encouraging and makes creating art easy to understand.<\/p>\n<p><div style=\"padding-top:10px;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/blog\/author\/ahurst\">Learn more about Ashley<\/a><\/div>\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"relatedcoursescontainer\">\n<div class=\"relatedcourse\">Related Courses and Classes<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\/landscape-painting-with-oils\" class=\"sidebarbottom-curriculum\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"leftlean\"><i class=\"far fa-play-circle\" style=\"margin-right:5px;\"><\/i>Landscape with Water Mixable Oils<\/div>\n<div class=\"rightlean\" style=\"background-image: url('https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/Landscape-Painting-Oils-River-400.jpg');\"><\/div>\n<div style=\"clear:both;\"><\/div>\n<p><\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\/still-life-garlic-with-oils\" class=\"sidebarbottom-curriculum\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"leftlean\"><i class=\"far fa-play-circle\" style=\"margin-right:5px;\"><\/i>Still Life with Oils<\/div>\n<div class=\"rightlean\" style=\"background-image: url('https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/oil-painting-still-life-oils-garlic-400.jpg');\"><\/div>\n<div style=\"clear:both;\"><\/div>\n<p><\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\/sunrise-with-oils\" class=\"sidebarbottom-curriculum\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"leftlean\"><i class=\"far fa-play-circle\" style=\"margin-right:5px;\"><\/i>Sunrise with Oils<\/div>\n<div class=\"rightlean\" style=\"background-image: url('https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/sunrise-oils-lesson-sq-rev.jpg');\"><\/div>\n<div style=\"clear:both;\"><\/div>\n<p><\/a>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"clear:both;\"><\/div>\n<p><script>\nfunction myFunction(x) {\n  if (x.matches) { \/\/ If media query matches\n    radiobtn = document.getElementById(\"tab-1\");\nradiobtn.checked = true;\n  } else {\n   radiobtn = document.getElementById(\"tab-2\");\nradiobtn.checked = true;\n  }\n}<\/p>\n<p>var x = window.matchMedia(\"(max-width: 981px)\")\nmyFunction(x) \/\/ Call listener function at run time\nx.addListener(myFunction) \/\/ Attach listener function on state changes\n<\/script><br \/>\n<script>\n$(\".curriculumcontainermem a\").click(function(){\n    $('.curriculumcontainermem a.selected').not(this).removeClass('selected');\n    $(this).toggleClass('selected');\n })\n<\/script><br \/>\n<script>\n$(\".curriculumcontainer a\").click(function(){\n    $('.curriculumcontainer a.curriculumselected').not(this).removeClass('curriculumselected');\n    $(this).toggleClass('curriculumselected');\n })\n<\/script><br \/>\n<script>\n    var iframe = document.querySelector('iframe');\n    var player = new Vimeo.Player(iframe);<\/p>\n<p>    player.on('play', function() {\n        console.log('Played the video');\n    });<\/p>\n<p>    player.getVideoTitle().then(function(title) {\n        console.log('title:', title);\n    });\n<\/script><br \/>\n<script>\nfunction PlayVid1() {\nplayer.loadVideo(807062410).then(function() {\n    \/\/ the video successfully loaded\n}).catch(function(error) {\n    switch (error.name) {\n        case 'TypeError':\n            \/\/ the id was not a number\n            break;<\/p>\n<p>        case 'PasswordError':\n            \/\/ the video is password-protected and the viewer needs to enter the\n            \/\/ password first\n            break;<\/p>\n<p>        case 'PrivacyError':\n            \/\/ the video is password-protected or private\n            break;<\/p>\n<p>        default:\n            \/\/ some other error occurred\n            break;\n    }\n});\n}\n<\/script><br \/>\n<script>\nfunction PlayVid2() {\nplayer.loadVideo(809014276).then(function() {\n    \/\/ the video successfully loaded\n}).catch(function(error) {\n    switch (error.name) {\n        case 'TypeError':\n            \/\/ the id was not a number\n            break;<\/p>\n<p>        case 'PasswordError':\n            \/\/ the video is password-protected and the viewer needs to enter the\n            \/\/ password first\n            break;<\/p>\n<p>        case 'PrivacyError':\n            \/\/ the video is password-protected or private\n            break;<\/p>\n<p>        default:\n            \/\/ some other error occurred\n            break;\n    }\n});\n}\n<\/script><br \/>\n<script>\nfunction PlayVid3() {\nplayer.loadVideo(813209865).then(function() {\n    \/\/ the video successfully loaded\n}).catch(function(error) {\n    switch (error.name) {\n        case 'TypeError':\n            \/\/ the id was not a number\n            break;<\/p>\n<p>        case 'PasswordError':\n            \/\/ the video is password-protected and the viewer needs to enter the\n            \/\/ password first\n            break;<\/p>\n<p>        case 'PrivacyError':\n            \/\/ the video is password-protected or private\n            break;<\/p>\n<p>        default:\n            \/\/ some other error occurred\n            break;\n    }\n});\n}\n<\/script><br \/>\n<script>\nfunction PlayVid4() {\nplayer.loadVideo(818374034).then(function() {\n    \/\/ the video successfully loaded\n}).catch(function(error) {\n    switch (error.name) {\n        case 'TypeError':\n            \/\/ the id was not a number\n            break;<\/p>\n<p>        case 'PasswordError':\n            \/\/ the video is password-protected and the viewer needs to enter the\n            \/\/ password first\n            break;<\/p>\n<p>        case 'PrivacyError':\n            \/\/ the video is password-protected or private\n            break;<\/p>\n<p>        default:\n            \/\/ some other error occurred\n            break;\n    }\n});\n}\n<\/script><br \/>\n<script>\nfunction PlayVid5() {\nplayer.loadVideo(820515172).then(function() {\n    \/\/ the video successfully loaded\n}).catch(function(error) {\n    switch (error.name) {\n        case 'TypeError':\n            \/\/ the id was not a number\n            break;<\/p>\n<p>        case 'PasswordError':\n            \/\/ the video is password-protected and the viewer needs to enter the\n            \/\/ password first\n            break;<\/p>\n<p>        case 'PrivacyError':\n            \/\/ the video is password-protected or private\n            break;<\/p>\n<p>        default:\n            \/\/ some other error occurred\n            break;\n    }\n});\n}\n<\/script><br \/>\n<script>\nfunction PlayVid6() {\nplayer.loadVideo(822462444).then(function() {\n    \/\/ the video successfully loaded\n}).catch(function(error) {\n    switch (error.name) {\n        case 'TypeError':\n            \/\/ the id was not a number\n            break;<\/p>\n<p>        case 'PasswordError':\n            \/\/ the video is password-protected and the viewer needs to enter the\n            \/\/ password first\n            break;<\/p>\n<p>        case 'PrivacyError':\n            \/\/ the video is password-protected or private\n            break;<\/p>\n<p>        default:\n            \/\/ some other error occurred\n            break;\n    }\n});\n}\n<\/script><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Dog Portrait on Black Canvas CLASSBeginner Lessons Lessons About About This Lesson Series&#8230; The Dog Portrait on Black Canvas class is a comprehensive lesson designed to help artists create a striking, realistic portrait of a dog using oil paints on a black canvas. This class emphasizes observation, value control, and layering techniques, demonstrating how working [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","template":"paget-iframe.php","meta":{"footnotes":""},"tags":[],"class_list":["post-39148","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/39148","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=39148"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/39148\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":46224,"href":"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/39148\/revisions\/46224"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=39148"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=39148"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}