My unique watercolour pet portraits
The professionally made portrait you will get from me can show the true spirit of your animal much better than a quick snapshot can. Check out the video on my ArtLearn Studio You Tube channel. I always take time to interpret your photographs artistically – after all, what would be the point in having a painting or drawing that’s an exact replica of your photograph? Only by careful study and combining references can I bring out the personality of your animal. This may involve adjusting a pose for the best composition, or painting some areas with higher contrast while toning down others, to create a feeling of depth and three-dimensions, that really make the finished painting ‘pop’ off the paper.
Here’s a quick overview of how I make them
Firstly, I set to work in the studio making a selection of the best photographs or studying the pose you prefer. It’s at this point I may wish to contact you for clarification of any detail or if I need more colour information. I may also suggest a different pose if I think it works better artistically, giving you a better end result.
The photographs are scanned digitally to alter contrast and to help me see as much detail as possible. A basic line drawing is then made emphasising the areas I wish to define and this is transferred to the painting surface attached to the board or easel. I will start by using large round wash brushes – size 6 or larger – to block in areas of colour or shadow with mainly Winsor & Newton brand watercolour paints, usually opting for the subtle texture of Saunders Waterford cold-pressed paper.
Each portrait has many stages – here’s just 3:
See more paintings step by step here
Crucial details – whiskers, fur direction and eyes
As the painting progresses, I refer less to the photographs and focus more on developing it artistically, using finer brushes – size 3 and smaller – for detail such as fur and whiskers. I never use white paint for whiskers though – I paint the darker areas around these – as it looks more natural with just the white of the paper showing through.
I usually leave the eyes until towards the end, preferring to get the rest of the painting working together first. It can look a bit weird at this stage, but this is the fun part – when the animal truly comes to life! Again, I leave the white of the paper for the sparkle in eyes. This takes more time, but is worth it for the final result.
Finally I refer back to the photographs one last time to make sure I’ve created a portrait both you and I will be pleased with. Only the highest quality artists paints, papers, drawing surfaces and acid-free mounts are used which ensure your portrait will last for many years to come.
