Thanks Chanda. Yeah, I explained it to my wife like this; people are just that, people, with skin. Once you learn how to create the texture of skin you can apply it to any portrait of a person. Animals are all different. I have done a couple horses and a few dogs and with each one of them it was a learning experience, trying out different approaches and techniques. I guess they just force me to step outside of my comfort zone, which isn't always a bad thing.
Next on the list is a portrait for my 9 year old daughter....Oh yeah, and she wants a horse. It was either that or Justin Bieber.....So a horse it is...LOL