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Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier & Staffordshire Bull Terrier | Acrylic Painting

' DEXTER & ROXY '

Portrait size: 12" x 16"
​Completed: March 2025
14th September 2024

Hi Karen
I hope this email finds you well. Allan gifted me a voucher for Christmas to have a portrait commissioned of our two dogs. Apologies for the delay in contacting you for this but we kept arguing about the photos to use! We would like the portrait to be the same size and medium you did of James and Stuart and if possible using the same frame. I hope you will be able to take this commission on and I look forward to hearing from you. Many thanks.
Kath
This is the second commissioned portrait I’ve created for Kath and Allan, following their earlier request for a double portrait of their sons, Stuart and James.  This piece features their two beloved dogs, Dexter, a Soft-coated Wheaten Terrier, and Roxy, a Staffordshire Bull Terrier, and was designed to complement the previous portrait, sharing the same Saltergate frame for visual continuity. Below, I share the painting process and the story behind the artwork.
When Kath first got in touch about commissioning this portrait, I was in the thick of my busiest season, approaching Christmas with multiple time-sensitive commissions already underway. With firm deadlines to meet, I wasn’t able to begin immediately. Fortunately, Kath was wonderfully understanding and happy to wait until the new year. This allowed me to give the portrait the full attention it deserved, and I was able to complete it by February.

Choosing the Reference Image


​Kath kindly provided a generous selection of photographs of both dogs, which gave me a strong foundation to work from. While there wasn’t a single image of either Dexter or Roxy that stood out as the ideal reference on its own, we were able to review the collection together and select specific photos that captured the right pose and expression for each dog. The remaining images proved invaluable for refining colouration, texture, and finer details, ensuring the final portrait was both lifelike and true to character.

Preparing the Layout: Accuracy Before Art


​The main challenge was positioning both dogs together, as they were being painted from separate images. Accurate size comparison was essential, so I created three layout variants for Kath to review, and she selected the one that best represented them side by side. It’s rarely a simple process, and resolving these details in advance is crucial before any drawing begins.​ Roxy’s reference photo initially suggested an eye issue, which Kath explained was due to cancer-related loss. She asked if I could depict her with both eyes restored, and thanks to the additional photos provided, this was a straightforward adjustment. 
An acrylic painting of a Soft-coated Wheaten Terrier and a Staffordshire Bull Terrier framed in a black and silver frame
This image illustrates the final drawing, with the Springfield frame in a simulated display using the ArtStage app

CUSTOMER TESTIMONIAL
​

​" OMG Karen. The painting is absolutely beautiful. I can’t even begin to tell you how delighted I am. I can’t stop smiling. It’s like looking at a photograph. You’ve really captured them both. It’s fantastic!!! You are such a talented artist. Thank you so much!

It must have taken you ages to wrap and has arrived in tip top condition. 
Allan’s out at the moment and I know he’s going to be as thrilled as I am. It’s going to take pride of place next to James and Stuart. 
Thank you so much once again. 
From an extremely happy Kath! "

Kath
West Lothian, Scotland, UK


​Commission a bespoke portrait

If you are looking for a customised portrait to commemorate a cherished moment with a loved one, whether as a personal memento or a meaningful gift, you have the option to choose the medium that best suits your preferences, including coloured pencils or acrylics. For further details, my commissions page provides all the information you need or get in touch to discuss your concepts.
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