Lulu: Custom Fluffy Cloud Pup Oil Painting

This 25x25 cm (10x10 inch) original oil painting is a custom piece I created to transform a favorite photo of a fluffy pup named Lulu into a vibrant, texturized portrait.

Balancing Form and Negative Space

I loved working on this portrait because Lulu looks like a literal little cloud. The original reference photo was quite wide, so the collector and I decided that a perfect square format would work best to keep her features in natural proportions. To create a more balanced composition, I extended the space on the left side of the canvas. This allowed me to keep her sweet face completely centered and gave her large, alert eyes the space they needed to command the viewer's attention.

I chose a solid, deep purple background because it provides a beautiful contrast against the light tones of her coat. When painting white or cream-colored fur, I never just use flat white. Instead, I layered soft mint greens, light yellows, and pinks into the highlights, using deep lavenders and teals to construct the shadows. I applied the professional oil paint heavily using my signature brushwork, creating a thick, buttery texture that mimics the soft, curly volume of her coat on a studio-prepared wood panel.

Why I love this commission

• Centered Square Layout: Extending the composition horizontally allowed me to center the subject perfectly for a classic, royal feel.
• Vibrant Background Choice: The rich purple backdrop creates a beautiful chromatic vibration against the light fur tones.
• Chunky Impasto Texture: I used heavy layers of oil paint to give the fluffy coat a real sense of physical volume and weight.
• Handmade Studio Finish: Painted directly on a prepared wood panel with a clear varnish, ensuring it remains an archival family keepsake.

Technical Details

• Original Oil painting by Alai Ganuza
• 25x25 cm (10x10 inches)
• Handmade prepared wood panel
• Certificate of Authenticity (COA) included
• Worldwide tracked and insured shipping via FedEx