I finally sat down to attempt a proper painting in Rebelle 8 Pro. I powered up my Xencelabs pen tablet and went for it.
I didn’t think to take screenshots to share, but I did work in layers. I placed a photo of G-Dubs in the bottom-most layer to use as a guide. From there, my process became haphazard.
I’ve never really learned the ins and outs of Rebelle, and there’s a lot. So, I’ll have to set aside time to practice. I also need to become better familiarized with my tablet, which apparently is loaded with features that I haven’t touched yet.
Nevertheless, I am pleased with the outcome. I figured that whatever I painted would look better than how G-Dubs looked at her viewing. I understand that her body was in cold storage for three weeks, but couldn’t someone have brushed her fur into place at the very least? Her canine tooth was visible, as if she were snarling, though that is how her mouth was positioned when she passed. Whatever. It was meh.
Puccini’s viewing last year was perfect. I looked at photos and videos from that day to make sure I wasn’t misremembering, but she looked like her perfect self. Lucky’s viewing in June was okay, better than G-Dubs’. I still think more attention could have been paid to the details.
But… I don’t work there. I have no idea what it’s like to set up a pet viewing or what it’s like to handle a deceased pet’s body. All I know is that G-Dubs looked better on her last day with us.
But even the hospital could improve their aftercare practices. They offered to clip G-Dubs’ fur and whiskers at no cost, but I regret that because the missing whiskers added to her disheveled appearance at the viewing. They also took a nose print but didn’t bother cleaning the ink off her nose. We picked up her body for a viewing for the other cats before dropping her off at the pet funeral home. We opened the coffin, and her precious pale pink nose was black. *eyeroll*
Also, when we picked up Lucky’s body from the hospital—again, so that the cats could see him one last time—they didn’t bother putting him in a coffin. They just handed him over, cold and in a plastic bag. I understand that some people prefer that, but… no. No one was expecting that.
Anyway, the bottom line is that I had expected and envisioned things one way in my mind, and reality was a little different. We’re all human, and we do the best we can in any given moment. Can I let this go? Probably… not that I’ve vented, haha. This photo of G-Dubs resting on Splotch is a mood lifter.
In the spirit of positive momentum, I am enjoying painting kitties in Rebelle 8, in gouache, and in watercolor.
Passing time caring for critters.
Creating while they nap.
