Welcome to my latest blog post, where I document the progress of another of my coloured pencil drawing of a Boxer dog called Rooster. This blog showcases the process I use to create my lifelike pencil portrait of a Boxer dog, from the early stages to completion. To begin, I start with the eyes. Then I extend outwards layering colours and focusing on building depth. Each layer is carefully applied to achieve the desired texture and tone, paying special attention to Rooster’s unique markings and fur. Time-lapse videosTime-lapse videos effectively demonstrate the process behind my coloured pencil drawings. I typically begin with the eyes, as starting here allows for minimal revision in the event of an error. This approach is more habit than possibility, especially considering my extensive experience with coloured pencils, which has been cultivated over the past 40 years.
Both videos encompass a duration of a little over three hours. This portrait is still in progress and further updates will follow. Brands used in this drawingThe brands of pencils employed in the creation of this portrait are as follows: * Caran d'Ache Luminance * Derwent Lightfast * Derwent Coloursoft * Derwent Drawing * Berol Karismacolor The paper used is Bockingford hot pressed, 300 gsm. I have included links to my art information website for those artists who wish to further explore these products.
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Pet Portraits in Focus: The Progress of a Lifelike Coloured Pencil Portrait of Maggot the Boxer24/11/2024 This marks the fifth portrait I've completed in the past year for my friend Jet. She initially commissioned two portraits of her beautiful Boxer dogs, Carrot and Fungus, and decided to wait until her third pup matured before asking me to create another, named Maggot. Additionally, last year's commissions also included pencil portraits featuring her mother's dogs, Masuda and Kudu, as well as Watson, another Boxer dog belonging to her friend Mark. Each portrait has a dedicated progress page, accessible via the provided links, showcasing the creation process. Jet possesses an extraordinary talent for photography, and her selections for reference photos will always represent the very best available. In this specific image, Maggot is engaging in direct eye contact with the viewer, creating a powerful connection. However, one ear appears slightly askew, which can distract from the primary focus on her eyes. Therefore, it was decided to adjust her ear to align it with the other one for a more cohesive look. An ear from a secondary photograph was superimposed onto the reference image, allowing for a simplified working process. It is important to recognise that there is no singular requirement for a reference image. Any photograph selected by me as the artist reflects the optimal stance and composition; however, the ideal reference photo is one that the pet owner believes captures the essence of their pet most accurately. It is important to preserve distinctive characteristics in a dog's portrait, such as a subtly raised lip or an unusually angled ear, in order to authentically represent their individuality. As a traditional artist specialising in lifelike portraiture, I always start with the eyes. They must be accurately rendered, as any discrepancy can compromise the entire portrait. It's much easier to begin anew at this early stage than to invest hours into a portrait, only to realise it just can't be salvaged. Despite having over 40 years of experience in the field, I continue to adhere to this rule. When using coloured pencils, it is crucial to recognise that, unlike other mediums, overworking any area, especially the eyes, can place undue pressure on the paper's surface, potentially leading to tears. Therefore, careful planning throughout the process is essential to avoid overworking these areas. Both images above demonstrate the layering technique that I utilise in all of my coloured pencil drawings. By applying additional layers, I am able to enhance the details and achieve a more realistic representation in the artwork. The depiction of this area of the eye may involve the use of numerous colours, each consisting of five or six primary hues. Additionally, contrasts and highlights are incorporated using lighter and darker pigments from the same colour family. The extensive colour palette offered by the Caran d'Ache Luminance pencil range is the sole reason I favour this brand over many others. The artwork is finalised when I apply the highlights with the most pressure, creating slight indentations in the paper that enhance the realism of the piece. This is why I advise customers to contact me during the drawing process if they wish to request any modifications. Time-lapse videos of the creation of MaggotTime-lapse videos serve as an effective means to illustrate the process involved in the creation of my coloured pencil portraits. Although these videos condense several hours of work into just a few seconds, they provide a clear view of the artistic journey. The first video represents 90 minutes of work, while the second showcases a 75 minute period. The third video provides a comprehensive overview of the entire process involved in creating the left ear, including the application of colour and the final detailing.
At this stage, I am merely applying colours and providing some definition; however, I will return to these areas for further refinement, typically by adding highlights to eliminate the visibility of the paper grain, thereby enhancing the appearance to be more realistic and soft, akin fur. After an additional two and a half hours, the fur appears shiny and more defined. Significantly, it now resembles actual fur in terms of realism. Creating Realistic Pet Portraits: Dougal A Red Fox Labrador in Coloured Pencils - Private Commission4/3/2022 The latest commission on the easel is this stunning Red Fox Labrador called Dougal. For this 10" x 12" drawing of Dougal, I am using the lightfast coloured pencils, Caran d'Ache Luminance on Strathmore Bristol Vellum paper. I create my drawings using a layering process, which help to create the depth and realism that can be seen in all my work. This process starts from the lighter tones and builds up to heavy and bold applications. The realism is created at the end, when I use both light and dark tones to manipulate the layers and create the final pieces you see within the pages of my website. Creating a drawing like this can take many hours and to ensure I stay fully focused on each piece, I work on other drawings and paintings in between sessions. The length of time it takes to create a portrait depends entirely on the complexity of the composition, but a 4 - 6 week timescale is normal, unless a specific timeframe is requested. This is the current stage of Dougal's portrait. There is still much to do on the colouration, but you can see how soft his fur now looks from the first post above, after numerous layers have been applied. You can view Dougal's progress page HERE. I also completed a portrait of a Red Fox Labrador last year. This is Rua, who is Dougal's sister. You can view her portrait HERE. If you are looking to commission your own portrait, visit one of the galleries below to find out more about each medium.
HEXHAM HOUSE Hexham, Northumberland, UK Portrait size: 8" x 10" Completed 29th October 2020 8th October 2020 " Hi Karen It’s our daughter’s first wedding anniversary on 2 November, and as that’s paper, I was thinking of finding them a small sketch of the venue where they married - Hexham House ( in Hexham ) Is this something you would undertake & could it be done in the time we have available? " The commissioned coloured pencil portrait of Hexham House in Northumberland was undertaken for a returning client, Julia. She had previously arranged for a portrait of her beautiful black Labrador, Dusky, 2 months prior. The reference image was provided by Julia through email, containing several photos she had taken on the wedding day. This eliminates potential copyright violations from using online photographs, which are the sole property of the respective photographers and require explicit permission for usage. From the array of provided photos, Julia selected a composition that she deemed the most suitable from the mock-ups I had created. It is a rare occurrence to receive requests for architecture portraits, which is regrettable as I find enjoyment in producing such intricate and detailed artwork. This departure from the ordinary is a source of great satisfaction and provides me with an opportunity to engage with the technical aspects of the subject and uncover its historical significance of such buildings. The most recent undertaking of this nature dates back to 2013, when I portrayed Wynyard Hall in Stockton-on-Tees,UK. When a completion date is requested, I always make every effort to work within the specified timeframe. Certain projects, such as a large and intricate 16 x 20 inch painting, may not be feasible to complete within a week, despite having been requested. Conversely, a small portrait is more manageable within a short span of time. For example, in this case, I began the project on the 12th, finalised it on the 29th of October, and subsequently dispatched to the customer on the following day via Royal Mail special delivery. " It looks great Karen, Thanks for all your hard work " If you're interested in learning more about my bespoke portraits, or if you're considering commissioning a specific portrait, please visit my Commissions page for more information. Additionally, feel free to contact me direct with your ideas.
I was recently commissioned to create a stunning coloured pencil drawing of an English Bulldog for a client. This client, Carol, had previously asked me to create two beautiful portraits of her beloved pets: a red English Bulldog named Buster and a white English Bulldog named Reggie. Now, she has another adorable Bulldog named Rufus, and she wanted a third portrait to join the collection, creating a lovely trio of coloured pencil portraits to display in her home. Prior to working on the portraits of Buster and Reggie, I had not had the opportunity to create a pet portrait of an English Bulldog. Their unique character is truly remarkable, with the distinctive wrinkles and folds in their faces that are somewhat reminiscent of those of the Boxer dog. Having completed over 40 portraits of the Boxer dog breed, I have always thoroughly enjoyed the creative process for each one. My extensive experience in creating Boxer dog portraits, coupled with the excellent reference photograph provided, greatly simplified the process. The realism of my coloured pencil portraits is greatly influenced by the quality of the photographs provided. High-resolution images enable me to capture even the minutest details by zooming in. Working from subjects photographed in natural light is significantly easier, as it eliminates the need to interpret details lost to overexposure or distortion from artificial lighting conditions. The precision of my pencil work will reveal the areas in the photograph that may lack essential detail, which can lead to a less refined portrait. With more than 35 years of experience in working with coloured pencils, I gravitate towards high realism because I relish the challenge it presents. If you're considering commissioning a custom pet portrait of your English Bulldog or another breed, I will provide useful links for you to learn more about the process before contacting me.
You're welcome to reach out directly as your initial inquiry, but if you're just looking to gather information before deciding, feel free to explore my Art Gallery and/or Pet Portraits Gallery to view the range of portraits I've crafted over the years. In addition to Coloured Pencils, I also work with Acrylics and Oil Pastels, each providing unique finishes. You can visit each gallery by clicking on the provided links. Additionally, comprehensive details about the commissioning process are available via this link. I've completed a stunning pet portrait of a Rottweiler named Kira. The reference photo was rather small, and the black fur lacked detail, but after researching online for similar images of the breed, I managed to produce a highly detailed 12" x 16" coloured pencil portrait. Today, Kira's portrait made its way home and will be presented as a birthday gift to the commissioner's husband later this month. I trust that both will cherish Kira's portrait for many years. You can learn more about the completion process on her dedicated page here. You can explore a variety of Pet Portraits I've completed throughout the years. My work includes Acrylic Paintings, Oil Pastel Paintings, and Coloured Pencil Drawings, each offering a unique finish to suit your preferences.
For more information on my custom-made portraits, please follow the commissions link. Additionally, you're invited to browse my full gallery, showcasing a diverse array of subjects beyond pet portraits. JETSON Newfoundland Pup Coloured Pencil Portrait PORTRAIT COMPLETED: November 2018 Portrait size: 11" x 14" I was recently contacted by a client named Mel, who was asked by a close friend to facilitate the creation of a pencil portrait of their nine-month-old Newfoundland puppy, Jetson, as a Christmas gift from husband to wife. Mel kindly provided several photographs of Jetson, allowing me to select the most suitable reference image. One particular photo prominently featured a charming detail of Jetson with his tongue playfully sticking out, which I felt would make an excellent choice for the portrait. Photographing dogs with dark fur can present significant challenges, primarily due to issues related to contrast. Often, the shadows lack detail, and overexposure can occur when adjustments are made to enhance the image. However, utilising a high-resolution digital image proved to be highly beneficial in overcoming these issues. As a result, I used several photographs to guarantee that the portrait I created had the proper balance of highlights and contrasts. I utilise Caran d'Ache Luminance coloured pencils for all my pencil portraits. Employing professional-grade pencils is crucial due to their high pigmentation, which enables effective layering. This technique enables me to overlay highlights on darker base tones, which helps maintain accurate perspectives, especially in compositions that feature extensive dark pigmentation. " Aww Karen... You wonderful, lovely girl. He’s gorgeous. Must confess, might have shed a little tear... THANK YOU SO SO much " Should you consider commissioning a portrait, whatever the subject may be, you can find out how the process works on my Commissions page or drop me an email at: [email protected]
I provide three mediums, each offering a distinctive finish: Coloured Pencils, Acrylics, and Oil Pastels. More of my work is available for viewing on my Art Gallery page and in the Pet Portraits Gallery. In 2017, I began receiving Christmas orders as early as September, which kept me occupied for the entire season. Starting in mid-October, I dedicated 10-12 hours daily to work, organizing a daily schedule to guarantee the timely completion of all portraits. With some orders coming from overseas, it was crucial to secure any needed frames well ahead of time, considering the high demand framers face during the holidays. My aim was to complete all orders a week before my trip to Chesterfield, yet I found myself working late into the night preceding my departure. Everything proceeded without a hitch, and the individual who commissioned the piece met me at the Chesterfield train station to pick up the portrait of Star the Chow Chow. The painting travelled with me for six hours via various modes of transport, safely tucked inside my suitcase. The lady who requested the painting presented me with a beautiful bouquet of flowers. It was heartwarming to read the recipients' joyful remarks on Christmas Day upon receiving the portrait of their cherished pet. You can view the progress of Star's portrait on this page. I've completed all the Christmas commissions and took a well-deserved break to recharge. Now, I'm back in the studio, creating new articles for my Step by Step Art website. There are numerous tasks to accomplish behind the scenes. If you're interested in booking a personalised commission or are an artist searching for helpful articles, and mini-tutorials, click on the links below to visit my website.
Here's hoping 2018 is a wonderful year for you! Karen 22nd November 2015 " Hi Karen, I have just been looking at some of your work on your website and I am looking for someone to do a portrait of my dog for a Christmas present. What kind of prices do you charge please? I will attach some pictures as an idea of which one I would choose. Thank you :) " A lady contacted me about a pet portrait of her Jack Russell, Tia, intended as a Christmas present for her mum. The lady, named Justine, sent three large digital photos of Tia. While any of the three could have served as the primary reference, Justine chose the third image. Among the photographs provided by the commissioner, there is often one that stands out. As an artist, I possess an eye for the ideal pose that I believe would result in the finest portrait. However, the customer's choice is paramount. While I can provide guidance, I always encourage the customer to select their favorite photo of their pet, the one that they feel best captures their pet's personality. This portrait will adorn their wall long after their cherished pet has passed, making the choice of reference photo crucial. My selections are based solely on composition, lighting and photo quality, which, while important, do not necessarily contribute to capturing the pet's character. The bright blue mosaic background was too distracting and lacked any connection or significance to the family, leading to the decision to opt for a portrait without a background. If a background was required, the options are endless. Here, a cherished photo of BuBu the Boxer dog, which was captured indoors, was seamlessly merged with a photo of a nearby park, where he and his family spent countless moments together. This unique addition enriches the final artwork with personal significance and meaning. Archival qualities of my artworkJustine had a question that she thought may be trivial, yet it is a very important point to mention here. " Do the pencil pictures keep? They don't fade or anything do they? " I've spent numerous years sourcing the finest quality, archival, and lightfast art materials to ensure the durability of my portraits. The Caran d'Ache Luminance pencils I use in my colored pencil drawings are lightfast, ensuring they don't fade like regular pencils. The colours stay vivid for over a century, and the use of archival paper additionally prolongs the life of the portraits. I always provide an after care sheet with my portraits, which offers advice regarding framing. When you take it to a framer, the glass you choose with the frame can help to add extra protection to the portrait too. This can extend the lifespan of your portrait even more. Feel free to browse my other Pet Portraits, or if you're considering commissioning a custom portrait of your dog or another pet, please review the information on my Commissions page. Explore the various mediums available for your custom portrait by clicking on the images. If you have any questions, feel free to Get In Touch.
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