Artwork-Zebra Zensations Technical Pen and Daniel Smith watercolor on a Hahnemühle Cold Pressed Watercolor Postcard. Brushes: Escoda Aquario Petit Gris Mop, Series 1130 Size 12 . Photo courtesy of Pezibear on Pixabay.
Did you know, that until 1960, the only color considered desirable for Labrador Retriever’s was black.? But black labs carry the chocolate, yellow and silver genes so they kept popping up, and they’re beautiful, so eventually the dog world wised up and all these colors are popular and bred for, these days.
Doodlewash prompt ‘chocolate’.
I don’t use many browns other than burnt sienna and occasionally a little burnt umber. I tend to mix other colors with these two to get the brown I want or mix purple and greens. But I do love Daniel Smith’s Piemontite Genuine.
It pairs well with Lavender. The challenge for this painting was to get that sheen of a healthy dog’s coat and I think the two were perfect. I sort of regret painting this particular scene on a postcard. A larger size would have allowed me to play with the sheen and all the textures more easily. One of these days, I’ll have to paint it again.
Tools
And Where You Can Buy Them
Hahnemühle Cold Press Watercolor Postcards (review).
Zebra Zensations Technical pens (review)
DANIEL SMITH Extra Fine Watercolors
Life Imitates Doodles 
He’s darling! The coloring on him is perfect. I can’t believe you painted this on a postcard size paper.
Thank you, Lori! I do want to try this in a larger size someday.
Oh this guy looks like a Christmas present! Be still my heart! And that sheen is wonderful! Let’s call him Charlie or Martin! ha. And speaking of sheen….that green velvet chair is lovely!!! I am ordering Piemontite Genuine today. I need more mineral colors in my palette.
Piemontite Genuine is one of my very favorite of colors. You won’t regret having it in your palette.
Kodi was a chocolate lab and I remember the days when he was this small.
Ah! You must miss him. I know you’re more of a cat person, but still the fur babies steal your heart.
Love this portrait of a darling chocolate lab. Thanks for the info about the colors you mix to get brown. I’m going to try your recipe.
Many thanks, Sharon! I don’t like all of the Daniel Smith Primatek and other specialty lines, but there are a few of the colors that I just love.