This is a portrait of two cats, named Maisie and Sadie. Maisie is the dilute tortie on the left, and Sadie is the flame point longhaired cat on the right. They are painted in natural colors with a vibrant background that is a gradient of blue, purple, and magenta. It was painted with acrylic paints on a 16″ x 20″ stretched canvas, and finished on April 26, 2022. I think the natural colors looks nice contrasted with the vibrant background, and it brings out the vibrant blue of Sadie’s eyes.

I have done many multi-pet portraits, but they are mostly dogs (and one of two sheep!). This is my first multi-pet portrait featuring cats. I also don’t get to paint cats as frequently as I would like! At this moment I have done 81 pet portraits, and only 21 of them have featured cats, so that is about 25%. I love painting cats. Their eyes are so colorful and expressive, and their fur patterns can be very unique and interesting.

This portrait was created directly from one reference photo with only slight modification. I was also fortunate to have several other secondary references of both cats so I could get their fur colors and markings correct. The cat on the left is a dilute tortoiseshell, or even a torbie. Dilute torties are mottled brindle, and have gray instead of black, and cream/tan instead of brown. Torbies are a variety of tortoiseshell cat where the tabby markings are prominent. Neither tortoiseshells or torbies are a breed of cat, but instead a color variation. The cat on the right is a flame point long-haired Siamese cat, also called a Balinese, or possibly a Himalayan.

Two Cats Portrait progress photos

I unfortunately do not have as many progress photos of this painting as I would have liked. When I am working on a painting I tend to get into a mode where I just keep going until it is time for me to take a break. I often forget to take meaningful progress pictures at this stage. I am trying to get better about taking more progress photos so I can share them not only with the owner but with my followers. Fortunately I do have a few, and I have posted them above this paragraph. As is typical, I started with the background. Then I started on the cat on the left, since I am right handed. Whether I am painting colorful style or natural style, I always start with the eyes and facial features like the nose and mouth. I then do an under-painting to establish tones and colors, and go over them with layers for fur details, markings, highlights and shadows.

Two Cats Portrait Painting

If you love this painting, and want one of your own kitty, please follow this link to my Pet Portraits Information Page. I can create unique vibrant portraits of your furry, feathered, or scaly best friend. I work with acrylic paints on canvas, and use your photos as a reference to create a unique work of art.

This unique work of art is available for purchase as a fine art print reproduction in my Online Art Print Store. In this store art prints on various materials can be purchased, such as paper giclee prints, and prints on canvas, acrylic, metal, and wood. The paper prints have hundreds of options for framing and mat colors. Also available are other unique products, such as fleece blankets, throw pillows, tapestries, jigsaw puzzles, tote bags, coffee mugs, and much more!