Pet portraits in pencil of dogs

Black and white pencil portraits are usually created using either graphite or charcoal. Sometimes, I use both types of pencils to render a drawing, in order to achieve the deepest of blacks. Since traditional pencil drawings do not involve using any white pencil, the white marks or areas are actually the white of the paper showing through.
These sweet pooches were commissioned as a Christmas gift for my client's spouse. Sadly, Joe has passed but I was fortunate to meet miss Bree when the client received their portraits.

 

 "Joe"

English Setter

pencil drawing

5x7

commission

 

 

"Bree"

German Shepherd

pencil drawing

5x7

commission

Shetland Sheepdog charcoal pencil drawing (pet portrait)

I have been fortunate for all the request I have received for portraits since I began taking commissions well over 15 years ago.  In that time span, I have learned much, and there is always something new to learn or adjust to. Social media is one of them and is a double edged sword as it can bring great rewards but is also very time consuming.  Still, one should not overlook the possibilities and never take things for granted as you just never know what can come out of it!!

This portrait was commissioned from a repeat client. I am very honored and flattered at each and every request and this one is no exception. He was a charm to draw! 

"Jasper"

Sheltie

5"x7"

pencil

COMMISSION

Winter Snowshoe Hare Pencil Drawing

Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas and many thanks for all the support and encouragement throughout the year!

This year we have an unusually warm and green Christmas. While I really enjoy the warmer temps, I sort of miss the beautiful blanket of snow. I am sure the snowshoe hare probably prefers the white stuff as well since his white coat makes him stick out like a sore thumb amid the browns, golds and greens of the forest!

Scanning problems with update of dog drawing

I enjoy my technological tools but sometimes they make me go crazy. Intermittent scanner issues have been causing me lots of trouble lately. I had to resort to use the smaller scanner on my printer which does not give me the results I desire but it will have to do for now. So here is the portrait of the black Labrador just about done!

Today's work in the studio...

I am feeling quite relieved that I was able to accomplish much of the body and front legs of the cat today. I have a client commission in pastel to get to work on but I feel the need to finish the lazy cat before the studio becomes full of colorful dust!

More of the cat revealed!

Here is the latest update from the cat drawing. Although it may not appear so, some of the areas of white fur actually have quite a bit of detail which is not discernible at this size/scan. I will reserve that for the final post once the artwork is completed.

Cat continued... coming to life on paper

There still are a few more touch ups to be done to this cat's face but she is definitely starting to look like how I want her to. The original reference photo is rather dark due to the shadow on her black fur so I want to add some definition rather than solid blackness in those areas.

In the next steps, the position of the rest of her body will slowly be revealed... so stay tuned!!

Those Staring Green Eyes...

Well, this is it for today...I wanted to go to sleep feeling good that I colored those greens eyes so I would not put my pencils down until I did just that.  I will be going back and most likely reshaping the eyes some as I am just too tired for that tonight and want to look at her with fresh eyes tomorrow!

I used Rembrandt Polychromos colored pencils which are oil based, rather than the conventional wax based pencils.

Scaredy Cat Drawing Progress

There is no denying that I have reached the "ugly" stage of this drawing...a subject with no eyes is downright scary and this cat is no exception! I have gone against my usual and "safe" method of always drawing the eyes first, perhaps because I feel no pressure whatsoever on this drawing (it is not a commission).  

The mood I am feeling today has to be one of bliss; the joy of creating work just for ME. That got me thinking of a title for this drawing...which might include the word "bliss" to aptly describe the cat's contentment...but who knows what cats are thinking?!?!

Commemorative Artwork (Drawing) of US Army k-9 Police Handler and his Military Working Dog

It has been a while since my last post and some of you might have been wondering what was on my easel? I started this commission last April and although I was given over a year to complete it, I felt it's completion was long overdue.
The drawing features Military K-9 Police handler Sgt Chris Lalonde and his dog U.S. Army Sgt. Maj. Fasco. The pair participated in a historic tandem jump from a CH-47 Chinook helicopter at an altitude of 12,500 feet, Sept. 18, 2009. The jump took place at the Gammon Parade Field on Fort Leonard Wood, Mo. during Military Police Warfighter Week.

Sgt Chris Lalonde & Sgt Major Fasco
Pencil Drawing
11" x 14" 

Pencil Portrait Step 3: the muzzle

In this sitting, I have mainly worked the nose and muzzle area but also started to work the fur on the right side of the dog's face and the wrinkles on the forehead. I will probably complete the top of the dog's head next to prevent smudging as I work my way down. I always use a clean piece of white paper as a hand guard but prefer to work around previously worked areas.

Dog Portrait of a Wire-Haired Dachshund

Here is the finished portrait of "Angus".
Medium: Graphite pencils
Support: Fabriano Artistico paper
Size: 8"x10"

Dog Portrait step 3

If all goes well, I should have this portrait finished in the next sitting!

And the nose follows!

I really enjoyed working on Ana's textured nose and flabby jowls. She seems rather funny without her neck and shoulders though! Hopefully, I'll be able to finish this portrait in a few more sittings as I have several more Christmas commissions waiting on the easel.

Drawing of Boxer update

At this sitting of about 6 hours, I was able to complete the majority of the face of the dog. I'll probably work on the ears next and then tackle that wonderful boxer nose and muzzle.

Lots of grass!

I decided to start tackling more of the grass today...a long tedious process almost as tiring as drawing the fur itself. Believe me, it is easy to loose yourself in all that grass!

It can be difficult to create realistic grass using graphite since the lighter strands are created by negative drawing. Of course, I could spend many, many more hours reworking the grass and improving the look but I feel it is not necessary here since the main focus is on the dog.

Rosie coming to life!

After spending much of the day working on this drawing, I managed to finish the facial features of this pretty border collie/Labrador mix. Drawing the fur on the muzzle is definitely the most time consuming part since each strand of fur measures only 0.5 to 1.0 mm long! Add to the fact that several layers of different grades of pencil are slowly added, one at a time. Considering this, drawing the rest of the dog should be smooth sailing from now on right? I sure hope so!

Dog drawing work in progress

Here's an update on the GSD portrait. I'm always more anxious when working on a larger portrait or one with multiple subjects or poses and am quite relieved when the last bit of the drawing is finished. I still have a ways to go here, but I feel confident once the muzzle and face is done, the rest will be smooth sailing.

Horse hooves and grass...

Well it seems I've been motivated enough through this summer heat to work through this drawing some more. With only the hooves and grass left to fill in, I'm very excited to complete this piece!

What attracted me to draw this horse scene was not only the composition but the range of values and sharp contrast on the horses' coats from the light of the late-day sun.

Update on current drawings

It's been a while since I last posted an update on the gorilla portrait. I have not worked any more on him lately but have so much little left to do that it would be a shame not to finish him (considering all the work I put in it so far)! Hopefully, I'll get back to him this week sometime or the next.

The horse drawing is coming along nicely, although the middle horse needs more blending in the darker areas to fill in all the tooth of the paper. I'd like to finish this one within the next few weeks as I have a large commission to work on once I receive all the ref photos. Let's hope I get good reference material this time!

Happy Canada Day to fellow Canadians!