Dog Portrait of Shih Tzu and Terrier mix

Pets mean so much to us that they have taken the role of our "furry children" as some people call them. The loyal companionship and unconditional love are probably the main reasons why we keep pets. So, it is no wonder that we want to cherish them forever, and what better way to honor them than with a custom portrait?

I am always thankful when it is possible to meet my subjects in real life as I can instantly get a sense of their true character...something that I always strive to capture on a portrait, along with the obviously important true likeness of course! So, when I was asked to help with photographing these two "fur sisters", I was thrilled at the chance to meet them. As I explained to the client, it is not necessary to capture the two pets on the same photo...that is something that the artist has the ability and freedom to do when they paint or draw their portrait!

Since it is not always possible for me to photograph your pet, I obviously must rely on the client to provide me with photos of them. I am always available to help you choose the right photos for your pet and create one or several "mock up" images to help you decide on the right pose, FREE of charge.  And if you don't have that "perfect" photo of your pet, no worries as I can use my artistic license along with your verbal or written description to create a likeness that you will love!

Chloe and Kacey

11x14

pastel

Commission

Pet Portrait of Shih Tzu in Pastel

After finishing the chair late last night, I sent a scan to the client and this morning I had received confirmation via email of the approval of the portrait. Watch for my next painting on the easel coming soon!


Shih Tzu Portrait
Medium: pastel
Size: 10.5" x 8.5"

Shih Tzu portrait step 4

Now, just when you might think the most difficult aspect of this dog portrait is complete, think again! What you may not realise is that the dogs are sitting on a wicker chair...now I have to add the intricate details of the side webbing! I guess I really do keep the "best" for last...

Shih Tzu Portrait step 3

Finally, a bit of time tonight to sit at the easel and start the second pup in this dog portrait. Working on such a small scale using pastels on the suede has it's challenges, especially when adding the features of the face such as the eyes and nose. The dogs heads measure a mere 2.5 inches across!

I will go back and make any necessary adjustments (I see the top dog's right eye needs some tweaking), however, for the most part, the hardest aspects of the portrait are done.

Shih Tzu portrait step 2

At this stage, I have completed the first dog in the pose. You will notice as the painting progresses that the larger dog's fur is shaved down while the smaller pup sports her long coat.

I color corrected the scan to better reflect the actual portrait.

Pet portrait painting in pastel

Here is my latest pet portrait commission work on the easel...two adorable little shih tzus posing for their owner! Portrait size is 8x10 and I am working on ochre colored suede. Better images to come...

Overdue update!

Feels like forever since my last post but so much has been going on here that I just did not have the time to update my blog. Business and personal life just kept getting in the way!

For starters, I just returned from a 20 day trip from USA and Eastern Canada. Our family and I traveled to Lake Placid, New York with the next stop being Bar Harbour, Maine were we visited spectacular Acadia National Park. While in Maine, I also had the opportunity to photograph native wildlife on a preserve while being up close to the animals. Being inside a wolf enclosure sure was an amazing experience and the poses I was able to capture will surely become some of my next painting projects. Bears, tigers, lynx, deer and moose were some of the other animals I was able to photograph at the preserve.  I have all the inspiration I need now!!

The second part of our trip, we returned to Canada and travelled to Nova Scotia and camped on the Bay of Fundy in Grand Pre. A good friend of ours was getting married so we had a whole week to explore the province! The highlight of that stay was probably photographing and filming the thousands of migratory plovers and sandpipers that feed off the rich invertebrates found in the mud of the Bay of Fundy. The most exciting moment was watching the swift (and rare!!)  peregrine falcons bomb diving the flock of birds in an attempt for a kill. Wow, these birds are fast!!

The trip home was exciting as well since we had to plow through the remnants of hurricane Irene...it seems it rained forever and the winds were so strong, swaying the truck and trailer at times so hard that it felt we were in a boat (and getting queasy)!  Oh, and I should mention the hydroplaning was an experience as well...I am thankful for hubby for being such a great driver!

Just before leaving for my trip, I completed another commission of a dog for a client in Newfoundland. This is a Shih Tzu nammed Hannah, 11x14, graphite on Fabriano paper.

And now that I am back, I was able to try out my new glass top drafting table and daylight lamp while I started working on my next commission of a horse (pastel on green suede).

I am happy to be back at the easel!!

Shih Tzu dog portait in pastel

"Show Girl" (Brooke)

Size 8.5"x11", pastel on archival suede board

I added the finished touches to this Christmas gift portrait today and it is now ready to be framed and wrapped. I had it tucked away and almost forgot about it until I cleaned out one of my work tables and found it on my to-do-later pile.