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Chow Chow Dog in an Isle of Skye Landscape | Acrylic Painting

' TEDDY '

Portrait size: 12" x 16"
​Completed: November 2025
9th September 2025

I would like to enquire about the possibility of a commissioned painting of my very elderly Chow Chow for a present for my husband.

Lesley
In September 2025, Lesley commissioned a 12" x 16" acrylic portrait of her Chow Chow, Teddy, as a Christmas gift for her husband, Gordon. Given Teddy’s 14th birthday in November and his close relationship with Gordon, the piece held significant personal value. During our initial consultation, we settled on the dimensions and composition, though Lesley requested one specific change: adjusting the reference photo to show Teddy with his mouth closed rather than open. While I typically advise staying true to the reference to ensure an accurate likeness, Lesley was happy for me to proceed with the modification.
The following sections document the painting’s progress through images and video, alongside more background on Teddy, and Lesley’s thoughts on the finished portrait.
" Teddy bear was a Christmas pup born in November 14 years ago and brought home on Christmas Eve.
​
He came into our home and joined our then elderly cocker spaniel, Katie and very elderly house bunny, Jasper. Teddy loved both these friends and Jasper was particularly taken with his new, very furry, companion despite Teddy’s size and determination to cause chaos in the house.
​
Teddy has travelled with us quite a lot and particularly loved his visits to the Isle of Skye which was the choice of background for his wonderful portrait. "
Acrylic painting of a Chow Chow dog with the MacLeod’s Tables, Healabhal Mhòr and Healabhal Bheag, in the background.
The beautiful 'Isle of Skye'
As an artist, my job is to ensure that I create the best composition possible. When a background is requested, I ensure that it contributes meaningfully to the story. Since Teddy and the family had spent many years vacationing on the Isle of Skye, it was fitting to incorporate that into the background. Chow dogs have very dense and soft fur, so it was crucial that the layering process reflected this texture. I spent countless hours meticulously adding detail to the fur before applying additional layers to achieve the softness visible in the painting. The video and images below illustrate the various layers involved in creating the portrait of Teddy.
Once the painting had been finalised and approved by Lesley, I moved on to the varnishing stage. This part of the process takes around two weeks, as the painting must be left to dry thoroughly before the varnish can be applied and then left to cure. When everything was fully dry, the framing could begin. Lesley spent some time choosing the gold frame you see here. Whilst it was not one of the options shown on my website, I was happy to select a more suitable frame from the samples I have in the studio, which matched the style she described more closely and complemented the other framed pieces in her home. Wider frames suit head‑and‑shoulder portraits particularly well, as they enhance the composition without overpowering the subjects, which can happen with full‑body or multi‑subject pieces.

The video below illustrates the various layers involved in creating the portrait of Teddy. Enjoy!

​​​" I know Gordon’s going to be delighted when he gets this on Xmas day…. a total surprise. He would never guess he is getting such a wonderful gift. I think the Isle of Skye as our backdrop is absolutely perfect and makes it all the more meaningful as it brings back wonderful memories of a place we love, but will not be going back to, with Teddy now at his stage of life "

CUSTOMER TESTIMONIAL
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​" Hi Karen. He looks magnificent.
​You’ve really done him proud. We don’t really have a decent photo of him being so hard to photo so this is wonderful.

Beautiful memories in years to come and he can admire himself in the meantime.

So, many many thanks for your skill and determination to get Teddy’s look and character so perfect. 

​Kind regards "

Lesley
Northumberland, UK

How to commission a custom-made painting


If you're thinking of commissioning a portrait to commemorate your own Chow Chow dog, another pet, or a portrait of a loved one, you can choose the medium that best suits your preferences, including coloured pencils or acrylics. Each piece is tailored to reflect the subject with accuracy and intent, whether for personal remembrance or as a considered gift. For further details, my commissions page provides all the information you need or get in touch to discuss your concepts.
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