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West Highland Terriers | Acrylic Painting

' LEXI & BORIS '

Portrait size: 12" x 16"
​Completed: December 2025
16th October 2025

We are looking for a 60th birthday present for my sister in law. Her beloved West Highland Terrier, Boris died last year and we thought it would be the perfect present to have a portrait done of him. We are trying to get hold off a nice clear photo of him. Her birthday is at the end of October, but if we could get something underway, we can tell my sister, “there is something coming”.
Many thanks. Tess
In October 2025, Tess reached out to me to commission a 12" x 16" acrylic painting of two West Highland Terriers, Boris and Lexi. This painting was intended as a special gift for her sister-in-law's milestone birthday at the end of the month. Unfortunately, the only available photo of Boris, who had passed away a year prior, was unsuitable. Since this was meant to be a surprise, Tess was unable to access any additional photos, so we needed to find a different approach.

This page outlines the painting process, featuring images and videos that provide valuable insight into the commission journey and, ultimately, the final framed painting.​

Bringing Boris and Lexi Together as A Symbolic Tribute


​A central part of this piece for Tess was the opportunity to bring Lexi and Boris together, despite the two never having met. Because the available reference for Boris lacked the clarity needed for a direct portrait, I used a digital mock-up to carefully reconstruct his likeness, placing him in the familiar sitting pose he was known for. It was essential to include his signature red collar as a final, personal touch. At the customer's request, Boris is portrayed as an ethereal presence, with a soft mist rising from the grass around him. This symbolic approach ensures that while Lexi is the primary focus, the memory of Boris remains a permanent fixture, honoring the eighteen years he spent with the family.

Refining the Focus and Capturing Lexi’s Likeness


​While Lexi was the primary subject of the reference photography, her portrait required careful artistic adaptation to ensure she complemented the calm atmosphere of the piece. In the original images, her coat was quite long, potentially overpowering the calm nature of the composition. Throughout the painting’s development, I intentionally refined her coat to bring more clarity to her features and maintain a sense of balance. This process also involved reconstructing her proportions, including an eye that was hidden in the reference, to ensure her expression was accurately captured. To ground the subjects, the fallen leaves present in the original scene, was placed thoughtfully to break up the expanse of green grass. This helped to anchor the dogs within the environment and ensured the surrounding space felt natural and intentional rather than empty.

Creating a Visual Path


I intentionally brightened the tones on the left side of the piece, which helped to break up the vast expanse of lush green grass and establish a more visually engaging focal path. By keeping this area lighter than the deeper, richer tones on the right, I created a natural guide for the viewer’s eye, leading it effortlessly from Lexi in the foreground to Boris in the distance. This technique not only bridges the gap between the two figures but also enhances the composition, infusing it with a stronger sense of movement and direction.

Selecting the Perfect Frame


Choosing the right frame is a deeply personal decision, particularly for a commissioned gift, and Tess asked for my guidance in finding the perfect match. Given the painting’s warm palette, I felt a warm tonal moulding would be best and selected a gold Whittington frame. While the finish appears subtle in natural light, it develops a beautiful golden glow under artificial lighting that complements the artwork perfectly.
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You can see how the painting came together in the video below.

CUSTOMER TESTIMONIAL
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​" Hi Karen. Tracey, my sister-in-law, was absolutely delighted with the painting, she was very emotional. Very very pleased.

The packaging was brilliant and a lovely touch to have the enclosed paperwork.

So many many thanks for such a professional work of art. We are so very pleased. 

​Kind regards "

Tess
Northumberland, UK

How to commission a custom-made painting


If you're thinking of commissioning a portrait to commemorate your own West Highland Terrier, another pet, or a portrait of a loved one, you can choose the medium that best suits your preferences, including coloured pencils or acrylics. Each piece is tailored to reflect the subject with accuracy and intent, whether for personal remembrance or as a considered gift. For further details, my commissions page provides all the information you need or get in touch to discuss your concepts.
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