My Latest Lifelike Coloured Pencil Art Celebrating Four Canine Companions

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.

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A Coloured Pencil Drawing of a White Boxer Dog

​For this particular portrait, I had to be a little creative with the dog's body. Since the reference photo had limited detail, I used a photo from a gallery I've built up over the years of the client's other white Boxer dogs. This approach allowed me to complete the piece accurately and create a final portrait that was a true representation of the subject. It's a technique I've used successfully on a number of pet portraits to ensure the finished artwork is as complete and detailed as possible.​

A coloured pencil drawing of a white Boxer dog called Carrot - Framing is simulated using the ArtStage app

​While the concept of drawing a white dog on white paper may appear challenging, the key lies in understanding that white fur is not a singular tone, but a composition of subtle grey shades and shadows. The white paper itself serves as the highlight, providing the perfect foundation to build upon. 

The reference image

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A Coloured Pencil Drawing of a Brindle Boxer Dog

The reference photo for this portrait of Watson showed him wearing a thick blue collar, but it was cropped tightly, leaving very little of his body visible. To fulfil the client's request to have the collar removed and to create a complete and accurate portrait, I needed additional reference material. I was able to use a second photo of Watson, taken from a similar pose, which provided the necessary detail to accurately capture his body's form and extend the composition beyond the original image.

A coloured pencil drawing of a brindle Boxer dog presented in a simulated display using the ArtStage app

​While it is possible to remove a collar during the portrait creation process, it adds a layer of complexity. The best way to ensure a seamless and accurate final piece is for the client to take the reference photograph without the collar if they do not wish for it to be included in the portrait. A clear, collar-free photo allows me to focus on the fine details of the dog's fur and form, resulting in a more natural and authentic piece of art from the very beginning.

The reference image

Explore the Process

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A Coloured Pencil Drawing of a Fawn Boxer Dog

The reference photo of Fungus provided by his owner, Jet, was ideal for this portrait. It was a large, high-resolution file with incredible detailing that remained sharp even when zoomed in. Taken outdoors in natural daylight, it had a perfect balance of light and shadow, which is always the best option for capturing a pet's true likeness. Although the photo was excellent, I needed to get creative with a few areas. Fungus was wearing a collar, so his chest wasn't fully visible. To ensure the finished portrait was as accurate as possible, I used a second image of him to fill in these missing details, as I did with the other portraits.

A coloured pencil drawing of a fawn Boxer dog in a walnut frame, presented in a simulated display using the ArtStage app

The reference image

Explore the Making Of

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This video offers a rare, behind-the-scenes look at three Boxer dog portraits, displayed side-by-side on the studio shelf. Without any sound or commentary, the focus is entirely on the finished artwork. The video invites you to simply observe the details of each piece, and showcasing them together highlights the unique character of each dog while also displaying the consistent style and meticulous detail applied across all three drawings.

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A Coloured Pencil Drawing of two Mixed Breed Rescue Dogs

​Creating this portrait presented a unique challenge, particularly with the smaller, grey dog, Kudu. The main reference photo showed him wearing a full harness that obscured a significant portion of his body, leaving many of the details of his fur and form to be filled in. To ensure as much accuracy as possible, I had to use a variety of other photos to complete the drawing. This was made even more difficult by the fact that both dogs were mixed breeds, meaning I couldn't rely on typical breed-specific research to inform the details.

A coloured pencil drawing of two mixed breed dogs in a white frame, presented in a simulated display using the ArtStage app

​I discussed these challenges with my friend beforehand, and she understood that the final piece may not be a perfect representation of Kudu due to the lack of clear reference material. Jet allowed me to approach the portrait with a bit more artistic freedom, and ultimately, I was able to create a piece that captures the spirit of both dogs, using the available photos to bring their personalities to life.

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Final Thoughts

​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.

All four coloured pencil drawings in a grey wood frames, presented in a simulated display using the ArtStage app

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If you're interested in a custom coloured pencil portrait, I'd be delighted to discuss your ideas.
Whether you have a beloved pet, a cherished family member, or another subject in mind, please get in touch! You can learn more by visiting my commissions page, or feel free to email me directly at to start the conversation.

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