Latest News for the UK Artist Karen M Berisford

Custom Made Dog Portrait: Shih Poo Acrylic Portrait Gift

18/6/2018

Ernie is a little Shih Poo dog. A Shih poo is a cross between a Shih Tzu and a Poodle He is a very sweet and affectionate dog and whenever I visited, I would offer him a treat. He would eagerly stand on his hind legs with his paws up, waiting for me to feed him. Ernie had been living with my auntie since he was a puppy, but when she sadly died in 2018, he found a new home with a very kind lady.

During a visit to my aunt, I brought my camera along to capture pictures of Ernie. Unfortunately, the weather was dismal, and I couldn't get any satisfactory shots. However, I managed to take one photo that had a certain appeal, even though it could have been better. I planned to edit it and transform it into a beautiful painting as a surprise gift for my aunt, who was going through some health issues.

For this particular painting, I opted for a simple background and used large brushstrokes to create the initial layers. This served as a foundation for adding finer details. It's worth noting that not all my acrylic paintings are created the same - some require a looser style, while others need more intricate details. The canvas size also plays a role in determining the painting style.

Fortunately, I had an extra Ashgate frame in my studio that matched the portrait flawlessly. The warm, golden hues of the frame perfectly complemented the painting's tones. When I showed the artwork to my aunt, she became emotional. She cherished the artwork and hung it in her kitchen. When she passed away, I requested that the painting be returned to me to keep that memory alive. He now hangs in my studio as a memory of that precious moment that made my auntie happy when she was so ill.

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Cocker Spaniel Art: Acrylic Painting from Traditional Photographs

17/12/2017

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BEN
Cocker Spaniel in Acrylics

Size: 9" x 12"
Completed: 16th December 2017

This article provides insight into the meticulous process of creating an acrylic painting portraying Ben, a Cocker Spaniel, from the initial photograph to the final framed piece. Sadly, Ben had died in January 2016, prompting Kathleen to contact me with a request to create a portrait of him as a Christmas gift for her niece. Continue reading for a detailed account of this process.

Acrylic painting of a Cocker Spaniel in a beautiful field

Kathleen only had physical photographs of Ben, and although I typically work with digital images, I understand that there are times when only physical photos are available. Ideally, it is best to scan these and email them to me, allowing me to determine if I can work from one of them. Since Kathleen did not have access to a scanner, she sent the photos directly to me via special delivery so that I could scan them. I kept the photos safe and returned them to her along with the painting.

Photograph of a Cocker Spaniel for an acrylic painting

Working from physical photographs

The image above served as the reference for Sam's portrait. As evident from the magnified version, it possesses almost no definition. Digital photographs provide me with the ability to enhance detail through adjustments. In contrast, physical photographs typically lack the level of detail found in digital images, so zooming in on a scanned file yields very little clarity. When I am creating a pet portrait and can access additional photographs of the same breed online, it almost always provides a beneficial solution.

Early progress of an acrylic painting of a Cocker Spaniel

Progress of an acrylic painting of a Cocker Spaniel

Refining the detail of an acrylic painting of a Cocker Spaniel

Completed acrylic painting of a Cocker Spaniel

In this case, I was able to provide a generalised interpretation of Sam, suggesting that a full-body portrait is the most feasible option due to the absence of fine detail. Although head-and-shoulders portraits are the most commonly requested format, full-body portraits deliver a more classical presentation. The background was chosen from my personal photographic collection, following a collaborative process with Kathleen to identify the most appropriate option.

Acrylic painting of a Cocker Spaniel in a teak frame

Kathleen requested that the painting be framed to enhance the presentation of the portrait as a complete package. I presented her with a selection of frame samples for her consideration. She ultimately selected a teak moulding. Upon receiving her confirmation that no further modifications were required, I moved on to the varnishing stage. After ensuring safe packaging, I dispatched the item with a 24-hour express delivery service to ensure its arrival the following day.

Acrylic painting of a Cocker Spaniel in a tranquil surroundings within a teak frame

" Portrait arrived safely and I am delighted with it. The likeness is amazing and I know my niece is going to love it. Here's wishing you a very Happy Christmas and a peaceful and healthy New Year! "
Kathleen R

For more information about my custom-made portraits, please explore the Acrylic Paintings Gallery and the Pet Portraits Gallery. You can view the complete collection of my work in the Art Gallery, which includes pieces created with Coloured Pencils as well as Oil Pastels.

Should you be interested in commissioning a custom portrait, detailed information regarding the process is available on my Commissions page.

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Capturing Obie: A Heartfelt Acrylic Painting Tribute of a Boxer dog

15/8/2016

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OBIE

Portrait size: 11" x 14"
Completed August 2016

Back in 2016, I had the pleasure of creating a beautiful portrait for a Boxer dog group on Facebook. They wanted to surprise one of their members called Di, who lives in the United States, with a stunning painting of their beloved dog, Obie. Almost 40 Facebook friends joined forces to arrange this surprise portrait, and it was heartwarming to learn of her joy upon receiving such a considerate gift from wonderful friends.
Continue reading to discover the creation process of the painting.

Progress of an acrylic painting depicting a Fawn Boxer dog

Painting the fine detail on an acrylic painting of a Boxer dog

The diligent and experienced photographer, Obie's owner, had provided me with a reference image of exceptional quality. The single, large digital image allowed me to zoom in and carefully capture all the intricate details, ensuring that the resulting painting of Obie was highly detailed and fully showcased his unique and handsome features.

Close up of the fine detail in an acrylic Boxer dog portrait

A Boxer dog acrylic painting on a 3mm Ampersand Gessobord surfaace

The technique starts with a basic layer of colour, followed by roughly placed markings that help to establish the contrasts and highlights. This phase enables the refinement of details to an even greater extent in the subsequent layers. This refinement progresses until the details are sufficiently defined to my satisfaction, at which point I then proceed to the varnishing phase.

A custom made acrylic painting of a Fawn Boxer dog

Boxer dog acrylic painting in a teak coloured frame

" Karen, Your painting brought tears to my eyes and a huge smile to my lips.
He's home, on my wall. You did an awesome job of capturing my beautiful boy, Obie.
He looks like you could reach out and touch him. Thank you! I love it. "

Northumberland artist Karen M Berisford holding an acrylic painting of a fawn Boxer dog in a washed ivory frame

My acrylic paintings are created using a mixture of vibrant pigment and sometimes I will include a medium or two, which provides texture. This painting involves applying the paste onto the canvas using a palette knife, before applying the paint, which adds more texture and detail to my artwork and enhances its overall quality. I used this technique when creating Obie's portrait, giving the painting a stronger sense of structure and character.

Upon completing the painting, I added a layer of varnish for protection. Although the painting was commissioned unframed, I located an extra frame in my studio which I utilised for the display image provided. Upon receipt of the portrait, Di shared a photo of the painting once it had been placed in its forever frame.

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Custom-made Lifelike Coloured Pencil Portrait: Tia the Jack Russell

18/12/2015

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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.

Photograph of a female Jack Russell with feet on a wooden bench and a blue mosaic floor behind it.

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.

Creating a coloured pencil drawing of a Brown and white jack russell terrier

Coloured pencil drawing of a brown and white jack russell terrier

Jack Russell Terrier dog coloured pencil drawing

Caran d'Ache Luminance coloured pencils and a black Labrador Retriever coloured pencil drawing

Archival qualities of my artwork

Justine 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.

Coloured pencil drawing off a Springer Spaniel

black Labrador Retriever oil pastel painting

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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Custom Made Dog Portrait: Shih Poo Acrylic Portrait Gift

Cocker Spaniel Art: Acrylic Painting from Traditional Photographs

BEN
Cocker Spaniel in Acrylics

Working from physical photographs

Capturing Obie: A Heartfelt Acrylic Painting Tribute of a Boxer dog

OBIE

Portrait size: 11" x 14"
Completed August 2016

Custom-made Lifelike Coloured Pencil Portrait: Tia the Jack Russell

Archival qualities of my artwork

Author

Categories

Archives

Get In Touch

SERVICES

COMMISSIONS

HELP & INFORMATION

Custom Made Dog Portrait: Shih Poo Acrylic Portrait Gift

Cocker Spaniel Art: Acrylic Painting from Traditional Photographs

BENCocker Spaniel in Acrylics

Working from physical photographs

Capturing Obie: A Heartfelt Acrylic Painting Tribute of a Boxer dog

OBIE

Portrait size: 11" x 14"​Completed August 2016

Custom-made Lifelike Coloured Pencil Portrait: Tia the Jack Russell

Archival qualities of my artwork

Author

Categories

Archives

Get In Touch

​SERVICES

​COMMISSIONS

​HELP & INFORMATION

BEN
Cocker Spaniel in Acrylics

Portrait size: 11" x 14"
Completed August 2016

SERVICES

COMMISSIONS

HELP & INFORMATION