1) Caplin and his owner look so genuinely happy, it makes me happy :D
2) I have never painted a large oil portrait of a person before
3) The movement and reflection on the water will be cool to paint
4) As a compostion, it is very stong
5) Did I mention how cute it is?
I started the painted sketch. It's rough, but it always develops into more as you work. And thats why I love painting.