Bichon Frise dog portrait (painting) commission

As I was working on this portrait my heart started melting as soon as I was done drawing this dog's expressive eyes. What a darling little face!! I'm so lucky to have the best job in the world!!

It is always my goal to achieve the most accurate likeness and expression of each and every commissioned portrait I create. I'm very happy to say that the clients were "over the moon" when they saw the final piece... despite the fact it also brought tears to their eyes. I was told that Scooby had recently passed on the the rainbow bridge.  I understand fully how loosing a beloved pet is hard to take, loosing my faithful gal only a year ago today. But time heals the wounds and we learn to move on...forever left with their paws on our heart!

Here are a few more steps showing the progress of the soft pastel portrait, with the final image at the bottom.

"Scooby"

Bichon Frisé

8"x10"

soft pastels

commission

Bichon Frise pet portrait progress on the easel

Been busy in the studio working on this dog painting commission of an adorable little Bichon Frise. I thought I'd share some of the work in progress pictures I took with my phone so you can see some of the steps involved. I lightly draw a pencil sketch then I always start with the eyes...yes, the eyes are the windows to the soul and I feel I need to get those just right before I can continue with the rest of the portrait. Sometimes, I go back and tweak a little but there is nothing usually major unless the client points something out.
That is another reason I take progress shots of my work and send to the client. It gives the opportunity to provide feedback and if necessary, little touch ups here and there.
I want every client to be totally in love with their portrait so it is important it is to their liking.
Keep watching to see the rest of the portrait as it progresses to the grand finale in my next post!