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Pet Portraits

Hi there! Welcome to my pet portrait journey! Here, you can see how I create portraits that show the special personality of our furry family members. Sparked by the recent loss of our family dog Bud, this project is a work-in-progress following on from the portrait seen below. Whether depicting an old friend or a valued companion, the connection between the subject and the audience is really important for me within this series of Pet Portraits. The aim for the piece below is to encapsulate Bud's hopelessly stoic personality, and allow us to remember some hilarious memories we had with him in our younger years!

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Oil on Canvas. 30cm x 40cm 

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RRP: £150 GBP including Frame

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01

Bud - Foundation

At this stage, I’m focused on laying the groundwork for the portrait. I start by blocking in the basic shapes and features of Bud’s face, ensuring the proportions are accurate and the expression begins to take form. The background is already dark to create contrast, helping me visualize how the subject will stand out. The fur is loosely defined with broad strokes, and there’s little attention to detail yet. My priority is establishing a solid foundation for the layers to come.

02

Bud - Soft Blocking

Here, I’ve started refining the features and adding depth to his fur. I’m layering colours and focusing on the texture, particularly around Bud’s face and ears. His eyes are more developed now, capturing the emotion and personality of Bud, which is always my goal as the artist. The chest area is also taking shape, though I’m still experimenting with light and shadow to achieve a natural flow. At this point, I’m stepping back frequently to assess the balance and ensure the composition is working as a whole.

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03

Bud - Texture Development

At this stage, I focus on adding the fur to Bud’s chest, layering soft strokes to create texture and natural flow. Highlights and shadows are carefully placed to add depth and volume, ensuring a seamless transition from the refined head to the chest. I also extend the edges where the fur meets the background, blending it smoothly to maintain harmony in the composition. This step brings the portrait closer to its final, polished form, including highlighted areas that can be muted as the oil dries.

04

Bud - Finished Piece

This is where the portrait truly comes to life. I’ve polished the finer details, especially in the eyes, nose, and fur, to create a realistic and engaging representation of Bud. The chest fur is fully developed, with soft textures and smooth transitions that complement the face while maintaining a painterly feel . The background remains dark and consistent, drawing the viewer’s attention entirely to the subject. At this stage, I’m carefully fine-tuning highlights and shadows, ensuring the portrait feels complete and captures the essence of Bud.

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