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. CarrotCreating 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. WatsonThe 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. FungusJet'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. This video shows the three drawings side by side. There is no sound. Kudu (Left) and MasudaCreating 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. THE PROBLEMS WITH REMOVING COLLARSAll 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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It is always lovely to receive feedback from clients. Every single one of my commissions are created with care and you do get attached to the pet. You know you're unlikely to ever meet them in the flesh, but could pick them out in a crowd, having spent so many hours staring at and creating, their beautiful faces with all their tiny markings and (im)perfections. A thank you from a happy customer is a celebratory one. The fact that someone takes the time to send an email and to tell me how well the portrait was received, always brings a great sigh of relief knowing that they appreciated the time spent on the portrait. I thought I would share it here. Here is the framed portrait of Dougal, a Red Fox Labrador completed in coloured pencils. What a beautiful dog he is. If you want to see more of my coloured pencil art (including Rua, Dougal's sister), click here. If you are thinking of booking your own bespoke commission, find out more here. A BIG THANK YOU to Karen for her fantastic piece of work to complete |
Buddy the Springer Spaniel - 11" x 14"Buddy's portrait was created using 5 different photographs. The body taken from this photo, the head from another, the tail from a third, the background from a fourth and some of the background flowers from a fifth image, all cut and pasted together to create the mock up of the reference image. Doing this can throw a whole lot of problems into the mix as different images can have different lighting, luckily I was able to ensure the correct balance as I was provided with lots of great quality photos that i could pull detail from. As you would suspect the grass took the longest as each blade of grass was applied individually and this was done in 3 layers so individually repeated 3 times! |
"I'm sitting looking at Buddy in pride of place on the wall, photo attached! It is absolutely lovely and it had the desired effect on Steve when he unwrapped - there were tears!! Everyone that has seen it has said how amazing it is with the amount of fine detail and so Buddy. If I manage to get a decent photo of Buddy next to it I will send it on! Thank you once again, it is lovely to have a painting of Buddy forever."
Esther
Dudley the Springer Spaniel - 9" x 12" in AcrylicsThis was a lovely composition but a tiny photo meaning that it pixelated when zooming in and the detail was lost in the face, especially around the eyes. The Commissionee loved the composition so much that I decided to see what I could do and asked if she could send some close up photos of Dudley taken in a less sunny environment and using all the photos together, I elaborated on the background/foreground somewhat and toned down the colouration on his head whilst still keeping the favoured stance. This was a challenge but I really loved the composition too and was happy with the final painting. |
"Just wanted to let you know that mum loves her portrait and we all cried our eyes out when we first saw it. What you've done is so special and we couldn't have asked for a better painting to remember him by. It captures his brilliant personality so well. I'll definitely be recommending you to my spaniel loving friends!
Picture of framed painting to follow soon!
Andrea xx."
The customer only had a few photos of Kita, having recently lost her, and I was limited to flash photos. The reference image was a good pose, but as flash distorts colour and detail, I had to research the breed and add a little artistic licence. The image was also slightly out of focus, but I found that I was able to apply a lot of detail by overworking the fur, and the final portrait was far more detailed than I thought possible. The final painting was framed in a black moulding called ASHGATE, which accentuated the light tones in Kita's fur. |
"Hi Karen, I just wanted you to know that I absolutely love my painting of Kita. Thank you so much, you have done the most amazing portrait of him. He was my best friend and my little boy and the painting has been hung in the living room so we can all admire him everyday! Thank you again xx"
Diarmid E-mailed me a great photo of himself, his girlfriend Max and their little French Bulldog Kyla stood in front of the famous red phone box from the film 'Local Hero' when they visited Pennan in Aberdeenshire. As the phone box only covered half the background and the other half would add nothing to the composition it was decided to leave the background out completely and simply write 'Pennan' in the corner of the portrait. As mobile phone images tend to 'flatten' detail, the fineness of the Coloured pencils brought back the sharpness of detail and I really enjoyed creating this portrait - I always love a challenge! |
"Hi Karen , Hope you had a lovely Christmas. Wanted to drop you a note to say that Max absolutely loved the portrait! She couldn't believe how well you'd captured the detail from the photo and was thrilled to pieces! We've already recommended you to friends and family and am sure we'll use your amazing skills again in the the future. Have a great New Year!! Diarmid"
This portrait was the last drawing I completed for Christmas and depicts 2 Bearded Collie's called Pyppa (L) & William (R) completed in Coloured pencils. I had taken some photos of them both a year earlier but as William (R) is a rather nervous little boy, I struggled to get any close ups of him. trying to distinguish between them after a year was a challenge too! I was provided with a few great quality photos which I could also use to add in their eyes a little more too. |
"Thank you so much for my beautiful portrait, you've really excelled yourself this time, its amazing!"
"I just wanted you to know that I absolutely love my painting of Kita. You have done the most amazing portrait of him, he was my best friend and my little boy. I love him so much and the painting of him has been put up in the living room so we can all admire him everyday!!!
Thank you again" xx
Rachel
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.
Victoria D.M
Bailey - 10" x 12" Coloured pencil pet portrait
The portrait of Bailey has been modified to include the floorboards featured in Casey's portrait, ensuring visual continuity and balance. Originally, Bailey was seated on a green striped rug, but changes can be readily made upon customer request. To view Bailey's portrait and the other pencil drawings created for this client, please click the link below.
" Bailey just arrived! Well, about 15 minutes of tape removal ago. We are so chuffed! Bailey was loved by all of us, but loves my husband best, he was over the moon! We are blessed by your talent!
I just love him! Thank you so much! xxxx"
Obe - 11" x 14" Boxer Dog Acrylic painting
"Hi Karen, Your painting brought tears to my eyes and a huge smile to my lips. Thank you! I love it. He's home and on my wall." |
The article discusses a portrait that demanded much more than merely replicating the photo reference. It features Ern, a chocolate Labrador Retriever. The commission, intended as a birthday surprise for a husband, necessitated that the final artwork be a true representation of his beloved dog.
The photograph presented is a breathtaking capture, initially appearing to be the perfect reference image. However, it became evident that the mouth was not in a naturally relaxed state, presenting a distended appearance rather than a typical, relaxed posture. Furthermore, the intense sunlight resulted in both overexposed and underexposed areas of his face, and the intricate details in the neck region were obscured by dark shadows. Observe the change in his colour when he steps out of the sunlight in the images below. It's as if he's an entirely different dog!
First, correspond with and confirm important details.
Thorough research is crucial before commencing the portrait.
Thank you so much for all the hard work and effort put in to make the numerous photos I bombarded you with come to life! The portrait is just amazing, beautiful and captures Ern perfectly!
Lots of Love, Kat, Vinny & Ern xxx
If you have a question, please share them in the comments below.
The exhibition is scheduled from October 6th to November 25th, 2012, at the Nuneaton Art Gallery & Museum in Warwickshire, UK. The entries will be judged by Dr. Sally Bulgin, Managing Director & Editor of "The Artist," Graham Brace, a founding member of the UKCPS, and Leah Lister, the Marketing Manager at Derwent.
" The UKCPS, also known as UK Colour Pencil Society was founded in 2001, inspired by a collection of people who, despite having never met, shared a passion for the art of colour pencil. They promote the art of drawing for the public benefit through the use of colour pencils by providing at least one annual exhibition to showcase work with workshops and demonstrations to help educate the public how to use colour pencils and by providing such other support to educate the public as the trustees deem appropriate. "
For more information about the UKCPS, please visit this page.
About the the development and inception of 'Snow Queen'
I find Colourfix paper to be a fascinating medium for coloured pencils. While the texture of the paper limits the number of layers I can apply compared to standard cotton papers, a few layers are enough to attain a comparable level of realism. It was delightful to work on this piece, and although its larger dimensions of 20" x 30" exceed my usual scope, I enjoyed the challenge.
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Karen M Berisford
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