Dogs vs. Pets

The dogs that I paint purely for my own enjoyment have a quality that's difficult to achieve when doing dogs-or other animals-for other people.  With commissions I tend to tighten up.  I want the dog to look like their pet.  I have certain colors that I've been asked to incorporate.  There is a size limitation.  All of the sudden it becomes a challenge to be spontaneous.  In the end I have a painting that the client is very happy with and that is, with commissions, the desired result.  The above dogs were painted pretty quickly and done right after a few pet portraits.  Needing to prove to myself again that I could do this stress-free and with some abandon, I am pretty happy with the way they turned out.