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I’ve just completed an oil pastel portrait of our black Labrador, Haze, which gave me the chance to explore a medium that has become one of my favourites. Alongside my long-standing work with coloured pencils and acrylics, I’ve come to value oil pastels for their versatility. They allow me to build rich layers of colour with a real sense of energy, while also refining them into subtle marks that bring out texture and detail. This balance between strength and delicacy makes oil pastels an ideal medium for capturing the individuality of a subject. Here I share the stages of creating an oil pastel portrait, from materials and techniques to protection during the process and the finishing touch of framing. It offers an insight for those thinking about commissioning a pet portrait in this medium.  In loving memory of Haze - 03.05.23 My latest oil pastel portrait is of our much-loved black Labrador, Haze. I had always admired this photograph of him, knowing it would make a strong composition. As my first pet portrait in this medium, I was especially curious to see how oil pastels would handle the challenge of black fur, which is notoriously difficult to capture. To my delight, their blendability made the task easier than expected and allowed me to portray Haze’s silky coat with real depth and softness. Through Haze’s portrait, you’ll see how an oil pastel painting grows, from early foundations to the final frame. For my oil pastel portraits, I rely on a combination of professional-grade materials and carefully chosen surfaces. I usually work on either Ampersand Pastelbord, a rigid archival board that is simply framed with protective glass, or Clairfontaine Pastelmat, a high-quality paper designed to be mounted and framed in a more traditional style. For the pastels themselves, I favour leading brands such as Sennelier and Caran d’Ache.  An oil pastel work in its early stage, where the base is built prior to refining the details This is where an oil pastel portrait begins. The first priority is always the eyes, as their placement establishes the likeness and sets the character of the subject. Once that anchor point is in place, using the soft Sennelier oil pastels, I apply a loose base of pigment to block in the main shapes, highlights, and values. Sennelier’s soft pastels are renowned for their rich pigmentation and smooth application, perfect for layering vibrant tones and building the depth needed in fur or skin. At this stage the work looks rough and unfinished, but these early marks are essential for building structure. The background is generally left untouched until the foundational layers of the subject are established, providing a framework on which the rest of the portrait can grow.  At this stage the portrait begins to take on a more defined appearance. With the base layers established, I use the firmer Neopastels to introduce finer details, which help to define the contours of the face and body. These marks lay the groundwork for the next step, careful blending with paper stumps, which allows me to create the texture of fur, smooth out the background and sharpen the details that bring realism to the portrait. The combination of controlled pastel application and blending ensures the portrait develops depth, balance, and character.  I use a variety of blending tools, but I find that paper stumps and the smaller tortillions offer an effective and inexpensive way to soften oil pastels. I simply wipe the tips clean as I work so they can be reused, and if they become too worn or dirty they are easily replaced. More recently I’ve also introduced silicone-tipped tools, which are especially useful for creating very fine lines when blended with care.  Here is the portrait so far, with Haze keeping a watchful eye. At this stage I’ve begun to build up the background, which is now giving the piece a greater sense of depth and setting the subject more firmly within the scene. It's useful to start with a darker base layer for the background, as this provides contrast and makes the brighter tones stand out more vividly. In this case, the rich greens of the grass begin to glow against the darker foundation, adding both atmosphere and three-dimensionality to the portrait. Framing and protecting oil pastel artworks require a bit of extra care, as the medium never fully dries. I always store my finished pieces in a safe, dust-free spot until they’re ready to be framed. When it comes to framing, I recommend using glass to shield the painting from dust, pet hair, or other debris that could stick to the surface. Without glass, attempting to clean the artwork risks smudging or damaging it. When commissioning a portrait, I always provide the customer with an after-care guide, which can also be shared with your framer to ensure the piece is presented and protected in the best possible way.
A key detail in framing oil pastels on Ampersand Pastelbord, is including a spacer between the artwork and the glass. This thin strip creates a small gap to prevent the pastel from sticking to the glass, which could otherwise cause permanent damage. The spacer is discreet, barely noticeable unless you’re inspecting the frame up close, and it ensures the artwork stays pristine. For Haze’s portrait, I chose acrylic glass for its durability and lower risk of shattering compared to traditional glass. It’s a practical choice that doesn’t compromise on clarity, making it ideal for showcasing the rich textures of an oil pastel piece. For oil pastel paintings created on Pastelmat, a spacer is unnecessary because the mount serves as a protective barrier between the artwork and the glass. Oil pastels are a wonderful medium for creating heartfelt, striking portraits that truly reflect the character of your subject. Whether it’s a pet, a loved one or a cherished memory, I welcome the chance to create a portrait in oil pastels that feels both personal and lasting. If you’re interested in commissioning a portrait or would simply like to find out more about the process, please don’t hesitate to get in touch. I’m always happy to answer questions and to create something personal and meaningful.
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In this article, I am pleased to share my latest commissions, completed as gifts for Christmas. Four new acrylic paintings, which include a double portrait of two mixed breed dogs, a Chow Chow dog, a boxer dog and a Cocker Spaniel. Additionally, I also had three coloured pencil commissions, featuring a Boxer dog and two individual portraits gifted by a mother to her two children of a Cocker Spaniel and a Tabby cat.
In 2017, I started receiving Christmas orders as early as September, which kept me busy throughout the entire season. Since my work is highly detailed, I can only take on a limited number of portraits in the lead-up to Christmas. Beginning in mid-October, I needed to dedicate 10 to 12 hours each day to ensure I could complete all the portraits on time. To navigate this intense workload and ensure that each portrait was completed on schedule, I had to organise a daily schedule, to manage my workload effectively.
Early December marks the final varnish before this portrait travels to the USA.
Given that some of the orders originated from overseas, it was imperative to ensure that the portraits were finished promptly, as the shipping process typically takes between 5 to 7 working days. Additionally, I needed to proactively arrange for the frames well ahead of time, particularly considering the surge in demand that framers often face during the holiday season. This careful planning would help guarantee that each piece arrive in time for Christmas.
My objective was to complete all outstanding orders one week ahead of my trip back to Chesterfield, where I could enjoy quality time with my family. Despite the challenges of this busy period, I found myself needing to work late into the night before my departure, ensuring that everything completed. Star - Acrylic Painting of a Chow Chow dogCommissioned as a Christmas gift for the client's parents, this portrait of their Chow Chow was created with careful attention to detail. Executed in acrylic on a 16" x 20" canvas, the composition features a scenic background thoughtfully selected to complement the Chow's unique colouring without detracting from the focal subject. The portrait provided an opportunity to engage with texture and tonal layering, particularly in capturing the complexity of the coat. It was a time-intensive process, but one that allowed for a more nuanced and considered result, both technically and emotionally. 
The completed acrylic portrait, shown in a simulated frame created with Artstage to visualise presentation.
This portrait was commissioned by a lady from Chesterfield, where I am originally from. As I planned to return to Chesterfield for the Christmas holiday, it was arranged for her to collect the painting at the Chesterfield train station. The portrait of Star the Chow Chow was carefully transported in my suitcase, ensuring its safety during a six-hour journey. Upon our meeting, Rachel thoughtfully presented me with a beautiful bouquet of flowers, which added a lovely touch to our exchange.
For those interested in how this portrait of Star the Chow Chow came together, you can follow the full progression on his dedicated page. It offers a closer look at the layering process, and the techniques used to bring his painting to life.
Ben - Acrylic Painting of a Cocker SpanielThis Christmas commission was arranged by an aunt as a gift for her niece. Kathleen, the client, was only able to provide a couple of printed photographs rather than high-resolution digital images. While I generally advise against working from physical prints due to the lack of fine detail, I asked her to send what she had. I scanned them carefully and, using supplementary references of Cocker Spaniels sourced online, was able to gather the key anatomical and tonal information needed to build an accurate portrait. 
Ben the Cocker Spaniel, shown in the completed acrylic portrait with the chosen teak frame, previewed in a simulated display setting.
One of the photographs captured an ideal pose, though the colour and image quality was less than perfect. Nevertheless, I worked diligently to enhance the image, keeping the client informed throughout the process via a dedicated webpage where she could monitor progress and request adjustments. We selected a vibrant landscape background that beautifully complemented the dog, and the client chose a teak-coloured frame to complete the painting, resulting in a polished and meaningful gift.
" 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! "
If you’d like to learn more about how this portrait of Ben developed, from initial reference to final brushwork, you can view the full process here.
BuBu - A Coloured Pencil Drawing of a Boxer dogJoanne commissioned this portrait of BuBu as a Christmas gift for her husband, following the recent loss of their much-loved Boxer. The chosen 12" x 12" format allowed for greater precision and offered space to include a scenic background, a park they had often walked in together. It was important that the composition felt personal and accurate, not just visually pleasing. 
Before the drawing could begin, the first task was to build a reference image that reflected BuBu’s natural proportions. The most suitable photo had been taken indoors, with uneven lighting and an ear position that didn’t reflect his usual stance. Several adjustments were made to correct these issues, combining elements from the original photo with anatomical reference to ensure the final portrait felt true to him.
" Just wanted to let you know that I absolutely love BuBu. He has now gone for framing and I will send a picture to you when I get him back next week. Once Christmas is over and Shane has received the gift, you are more than welcome to Bu's progress and final image online. It is just amazing. "
Joanne later shared a photo of BuBu’s portrait after it had been framed. She selected an ivory mount paired with a slim white frame, choices that kept the focus on BuBu and complemented the artwork without distraction.
To see more images and read about how the portrait came together, you can visit BuBu's blog here. Tank - An Acrylic Painting of a Boxer dogDavid discovered my work through mutual friends and contacted me to create a portrait of his dog, Tank. He shared several reference photos, but one stood out as ideal. The digital format allowed me to zoom in and capture fine details with clarity, and because it was taken in natural daylight, it accurately reflected Tank’s colouring. With this image, no further references were needed to achieve the level of realism and tonal accuracy required. 
For head and shoulder portraits like Tank’s, 9" x 12" is a popular format. It provides enough space to capture fine detail while keeping the composition focused. Although I had access to multiple images, the final result depended on the strength of the chosen reference. A well-lit, high-resolution photo makes all the difference. I always recommend providing a range of images and selecting the most suitable one to ensure the best possible outcome.
" Hello Karen, I just received the painting, it is absolutely beautiful. It arrived unscathed, and thank you so much, this will be hung on my wall, with great pride. You have a god given talent, that is heartfelt. You make a lot of people happy, so we can keep our beautiful babies forever in our hearts and we can see them every day and give us a smile. Chaz & Lucy - An Acrylic Painting of two mixed breed dogsA lady contacted me about a Christmas portrait of her sister’s two dogs, Chaz and Lucy, both of whom had sadly passed away. With only a few reference photos available, it was difficult to gather enough detail to meet my usual standards. Luckily, I was able to create an ideal composition that honours their memory and offers a heartfelt tribute to these much-loved companions. 
To paint Lucy, the larger dog, I combined two photos, one for the body and one for the head. This method can work well, but it depends heavily on the clarity of the images. When references are limited or unclear, it becomes harder to ensure accuracy. Including the customer in the process helps guide decisions and improves the final result.
Taz & Benny - Two Coloured Pencil Drawings of a Tabby Cat and a Black Cocker SpanielI was recently contacted by a client named Pat, who was looking to commission two small pencil portraits as Christmas gifts for their son and daughter, one of a dog named Benny and one of a cat named Taz. The requested size was 8" x 10", though she was open to advice, especially for Taz’s portrait. Due to the composition, it was decided that a 7" x 11" would fit better. 
Pat had limited reference photos and wasn’t sure if they would be suitable. For Benny, a head and shoulders pose was preferred, showing him as he often appeared, wet from swimming, with a slight brown tinge likely caused by sunlight on his black coat. For Taz, she favoured a full-body image and included an extra photo in case it better showed his eye colour. She were open to guidance throughout to ensure the portraits captured each pet accurately.
"Just received the portraits. They are stunning and so lifelike. I've just left them to be framed and they will be ready for Christmas. Thanks again, you are so talented."
Once I completed all the Christmas commissions, I 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 I recently completed this stunning portrait of Willow the Springer Spaniel, as a surprise gift from a husband to his wife for their first wedding anniversary. The reference photo was excellently composed, which made the painting process even more enjoyable.  My acrylic paintings are designed to exude vibrancy and, where possible, texture. For the tennis ball at the forefront of the painting, I incorporated a moulding paste into the paints to replicate the ball's fluffy texture. Similarly, I used the moulding paste to add texture to Willow's fur, creating an intriguing effect when the painting is viewed from various angles.  The image above represents the preliminary phase of the artwork, where I establish the foundational colour tones. At this juncture, the appearance may seem quite chaotic, which can be somewhat disconcerting, particularly for the customer, but it does improve as the image below shows. Observe how the details have been further refined and the contrasts are now also being established.   Fine detail in the face The Ampersand Gessobord's smooth surface is ideal for the fine detail I prefer in my acrylic portraits. This portrait was created on a 22mm Gessobord, designed for frameless displaying. The edges have also been painted edges so it can be displayed without a frame. It has been preserved with multiple coats of Satin Varnish and enhanced with two wall protector feet on the reverse side's lower corners for extra protection.
The beauty of these 22mm board portraits is the flexibility they offer; you can decide to frame them later for a classic look or leave them unframed for a modern aesthetic. Crafting this portrait was a joy, and learning that Willow's owner was delighted with her unexpected gift made it even more rewarding.  Northumberland artist Karen M Berisford with her painting of Willow Karen, I was the lucky one to receive this beautiful painting. I can't tell you what a lovely gift it is, thank you so much for capturing Willow's character so well. I absolutely love it, it's beautiful and one to be treasured for many years to come. Are you looking to commission a custom-made portrait?For those interested in commissioning a custom-made portrait of their pet or another subject, further details are available on the commissions page. Additionally, you are invited to view my collection of pet portraits and the art gallery featuring a variety of subjects. Available mediums for portraits include acrylics, coloured pencils, and oil pastels.
The creation process of my acrylic pet paintingsI'd like to share the process involved in creating my acrylic paintings. Even when I have several dog portraits on the easel, my method remains consistent, however, I may choose to enhance the artwork by incorporating different mediums or adding specialist colours. Here are two of my latest dog portraits: one features a Springer Spaniel swimming, and the other, a young female white Boxer. Springer Spaniel - Acrylic Painting on Ampersand Gessobord - Size: 11" x 14"Creating an acrylic portrait involves significant transformations of the artwork. I make it a point to photograph the painting at various stages. Observing the evolution of the painting is not only intriguing but also serves as a valuable tool to demonstrate its progression to others. In this segment, I will detail the process behind the creation of a painting featuring our Springer Spaniel, Casper. This piece is one of a quartet, each illustrating our dogs in water, which will be displayed together upon completion. 
Laying the Groundwork: Tonal Foundations and ContrastIn all my artwork, I begin with the foundational layers, starting by establishing tones and introducing contrasts. Initially, it may appear quite chaotic, but this process is essential for building upon these initial layers. This stage is critical for establishing tonal values and focusing on the different elements that make up the subject. 
Refining the Subject: Enhancing Form and PrecisionAt this current stage, the detail is somewhat lacking in precision, however, it could potentially be perceived as a more exaggerated interpretation of a subject. As an artist who relishes a challenge, I then move forward to further refine the painting in order to render the main subject with a greater sense of realism, ameliorating both the finer details and overall appearance. 
Balancing Realism and Interpretation in Photo-Based WorkMy paintings maintain a realistic quality whether viewed from afar or up close. However, not all of my works require the same level of precision; at times, a more relaxed interpretation yields a better result. Working from photographs often means dealing with images that aren't high-resolution and may lack essential details. This propels me into the exciting challenge of finding a balance between realism and artistic interpretation. 
Achieving the correct contrast can give a painting a three-dimensional appearance, even when viewed from a flat angle.
Now, let's explore the creation of another acrylic painting, featuring a charming little white Boxer puppy named Sprout. White Boxer Pup - Acrylic Painting on Ampersand Gessobord - Size: 8" x 8"At 8" x 8", this small painting is perfect for an intimate depiction of a nine-month-old Boxer puppy named Sprout. Recently welcomed into her new home with four other Boxer dogs, Sprout, like many puppies, dozed off in an unusual spot, snug in the bend of a friend's arm, with her little head resting in their hand. Choosing to craft a monochromatic portrait against a stark black backdrop guarantees that the attention is solely on the subject. 
Establishing Fur Flow and Tonal StructureDuring this preliminary phase, I carefully incorporate the fur details in a general manner to illustrate the flow and texture of the fur. Furthermore, I tentatively arrange the highlights and shadows, laying the groundwork for the meticulous addition of more intricate details in the next phase. 
Layering Detail with Precision BrushworkHere, the two stages are evident: the first with a thicker application, followed by a second with a finer touch. Each hair is individually painted using an ultra-fine brush, with a rigger brush being the perfect tool for such detailed work. To achieve a natural flow in the application of each hair, I rotate the canvas board as needed, even working upside down at times. 
Refining Contours and Preparing for Final VarnishHere, the fineness of the fur is evident. Although the painting is incomplete, the meticulous addition of each hair strand showcases the intricate contours of the Boxer dog's mouth and nose region. The concluding phase involves meticulously detailing the hand, and upon completion, the painting will be sealed with two layers of varnish for maximum preservation.
Thank you for exploring my article on how I create my acrylic paintings. Should you wish to commission a custom portrait, you can click any of the links below to visit the pages of interest. There, you can peruse my previous works, learn about the commissioning process, and either request a quote or book directly using the form. Alternatively, you can contact me direct at: [email protected]
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No content should be used, copied or distributed in any way without express consent from Karen M Berisford