Hattie the Golden Retriever

This is Hattie a beautiful Golden Retriever who is to be the subject of my next portrait.  This portrait is going to be a surprise birthday present!  I took the photo of Hattie - a free photo shoot is included in all regularly priced portraits.  I like to be able to take the photo myself as I know exactly how I need the photo to be to do the best portrait I can do. I also love to meet the pets I draw before I get started as it helps me with the process and I feel makes for an even better portrait.

The Finished Dog Portrait

The portrait is completed - I really hope the recipient will love it! I enjoyed drawing both dogs - both faces are so full of character.

Dog Portrait in Progress.....

Dog Portrait in Progress.... the first dog has been fully rendered and I've finished with the second dog's eyes. I love the way his eyes glow through the page. The eyes are the most important part of the portrait... so much can be told about an animal through it's eyes.

The Beginnings of my next Dog Portrait

My latest portrait.... I just started the shading today - my favorite part - this is where the drawing comes to life and just as Michelangelo "found" The David in the marble so I "find" the subject I am depicting by bringing them to life with shadows and lights on the paper. The aim is to have the subject really come out of the paper in as three-dimensional a way as I can using only two-dimensional tools.