Latest News for the UK Artist Karen M Berisford

Pet Portraits in Focus: The Progress of a Lifelike Coloured Pencil Portrait of Maggot the Boxer

24/11/2024

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.

Photograph of a fawn Boxer dog called Maggot

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.

The early stages of the layering process with more layers yet to add.

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.

Progress of a Boxer dog eye in coloured pencils

Further progression of a coloured pencil drawing of a Boxer dog

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 Maggot

Time-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.

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My Latest Lifelike Coloured Pencil Art Celebrating Four Canine Companions

7/1/2024

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In October 2023, my friend Jet asked me to create four coloured pencil portraits. One portrait was intended as a gift for Jet's friend, another for her mother, and the other two were portraits of her beloved Boxer dogs. I have known Jet for over three decades, and during this time, I have had the pleasure of creating pencil portraits of her dogs on several occasions.

Here are all four portraits displayed with additional information about each individual. You can access a link below each image to learn more.

Carrot

Creating a drawing of a white dog on white paper may seem challenging at first, but it's quite easy. Since white fur is composed of shades of grey, white paper provides the perfect base for such a portrait. Drawing this particular portrait of a white boxer dog required a bit of creative problem-solving regarding the body. Still, I was able to use a different dog's body to complete the portrait.
If you're interested in learning more about this portrait, you can click on the link below.

Working on a lifelike coloured pencil drawing of a white Boxer dog

Discover more about Carrot

White Boxer dog custom-made coloured pencil drawing

Watson

The reference photo for the portrait depicted Watson wearing a thick blue collar. However, the photo was cropped short, leaving little of his body visible. Additional images were required, particularly in a similar pose, to complete the body and ensure accuracy. I also used some artistic license too.
If you want to learn more about this portrait, please follow the link below.

Working on a lifelike coloured pencil drawing of a Brindle Boxer dog

Discover More about Watson

Boxer dog custom-made coloured pencil drawing

Fungus

Jet's reference photo of Fungus was ideal. The image was a large, high-resolution file with incredible detailing that remained sharp even when zooming in. Taken outdoors, it had a perfect balance of light thanks to natural daylight, which is always the best option for pet photos. The collar, which was present in the photo but not included in the drawing, covered the throat area. To ensure accuracy, I referenced a second image of Fungus. Also, the chest area was not fully visible in the photo, so I had to extend it to complete the image.
Click the link below to read more.

Boxer dog coloured pencil portrait in progress

Discover More about Fungus

Fawn Boxer dog custom-made coloured pencil drawing

This video shows the three drawings side by side. There is no sound.

Kudu (Left) and Masuda

Creating this drawing was difficult, especially Kudu, the little grey dog. In the reference image, Kudu was wearing a harness that covered most of his body, so much of the details were missing. To ensure precision, I had to use other reference photos. Ordinarily, I may research a breed before embarking on such a challenging drawing. However, in this case, both dogs were mixed breeds, which made it even more difficult. Despite this, my friend was aware of the difficulties involved and graciously accepted that the final result may not be an accurate representation.

Working on a lifelike coloured pencil drawing of two small mixed breed rescue dogs

Discover More about Masuda & Kudu

Double portrait of two mixed breed dogs custom-made coloured pencil drawing

THE PROBLEMS WITH REMOVING COLLARS

All the dogs in the photos wore either a collar or a harness, which were removed in the drawing as per Jet's request. Fortunately, Jet provided me with a collection of photos of each dog to make the process relatively easy. The photos were incredibly helpful as they provided me with a clear view of the intricate details that were obscured by the collars in the reference photos. However, there may be instances where the removal of collars, especially harnesses, is a difficult task, especially if they hide crucial details. In such a scenario, removing them can only be considered if additional photographs are made available.

If you're interested in a custom coloured pencil portrait of your pet, a loved one, or any other subject, you can visit my commissions page or send me an email at: [email protected] to share your ideas for the portrait.

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Latest Pet Portraits: Dogs and Cats in Coloured Pencils and Acrylics - A busy few months with commissions

22/1/2018

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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.

Acrylic painting of a Chow Chow dog laid in grass

Star the Chow Chow dog next to his acrylic painting

Find Out About our Commissions

Visit the Step by Step Art Website

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

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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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Pet Portraits in Focus: The Progress of a Lifelike Coloured Pencil Portrait of Maggot the Boxer

Time-lapse videos of the creation of Maggot

My Latest Lifelike Coloured Pencil Art Celebrating Four Canine Companions

Carrot

Watson

Fungus

Kudu (Left) and Masuda

THE PROBLEMS WITH REMOVING COLLARS

Latest Pet Portraits: Dogs and Cats in Coloured Pencils and Acrylics - A busy few months with commissions

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

Pet Portraits in Focus: The Progress of a Lifelike Coloured Pencil Portrait of Maggot the Boxer

Time-lapse videos of the creation of Maggot

My Latest Lifelike Coloured Pencil Art Celebrating Four Canine Companions

Carrot

Watson

Fungus

Kudu (Left) and Masuda

THE PROBLEMS WITH REMOVING COLLARS

Latest Pet Portraits: Dogs and Cats in Coloured Pencils and Acrylics - A busy few months with commissions

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

Portrait size: 11" x 14"
Completed August 2016

SERVICES

COMMISSIONS

HELP & INFORMATION