My MIL best friend

[Lin2002]

My MIL has requested for her B-day gift in September a portrait cutting of her dog Sissy. Sissy is getting up in years so won't be around many more. She is my Mother In Laws best friend. I have never done an dog pattern before and I'm at a loss on what to do with the pic. Sissy doesn't get around very well any more so trying to get a pic of her sitting up was out of the question...she kept laying down on her pillow. I have tried but have no idea what to do with the eyes and feel like I am losing a lot of the needed detail in the entire portrait to keep Sissy looking like herself. Can someone with more experience with animals take a look at the pics and what I have done and see if they can help.
Thanks so much for any and all help.
Lin

[Don R]

Lin, Here is my attempt at Sissy. I took out the background so the picture isn't so busy and the viewer is drawn to the cutie-pie. Your pattern is looking good as far as you went. Hope this helps.
Don R

[ekmouse]

Here is what I've done with the pic. I agree with Don, the background is too busy. Your pattern was good, just need to be cleaned up a bit and add some detail. To me eyes are always dificult...

I've added your original pattern after cleaning it up a bit.

--ekmouse

[Lin2002]

Thanks soooo much. The eyes so much better than what I was trying. Hoping that I will be able to do the next doggy pattern I have a request for on my own. My MIL will be very pleased on her B-day.
Lin

[Hawaiilad]

I just wanted to say you folks are Wonderful. Jumping in to help someone like this takes a special person. In todays world it is always great to see people that wish to help, not always for money.