Each portrait is hand drawn and unique, and with my attention to detail I will do my utmost to capture the true likeness of your pet. Coloured pencil is a slow medium, much slower to work with than graphite so if you have a special date in mind for completion please let me know at the beginning of our conversation so that we are both aware of this.

Tips for a good reference photo

Photos taken of your pet in natural daylight are the best to work from, bright sunlight like cloudy days may alter the individual colouring of your pet.

Photos taken on eye level are also great for capturing their expression, eye and nose shots are important too as these are particularly unique. 

If the pose you are hoping for isn't in the best light then lots of photos showing your pet in other angles in a good light can be helpful. I may be able to see colour variations, fur directions, differences particular to your pet, their personality. Lots of lovely photos, please!

Here are some examples shown with my dog Mitzy taken on an iPhone 8. You can see that in every picture she looks a little different. In the bottom left photo I can really see her facial bone structure, her mouth, teeth and tongue  and in the photo that was taken from beneath her I can see more of her bristly nose. The one where she's watching television... well she has a particular chest shape and fur direction, and that one just makes me laugh!

You will be kept up to date with how the piece is going but not a preview on demand. All artists will tell you that at some point there may be an ugly stage, and if you can remember the ugly duckling transformation... 

All portraits are produced using artist quality pencils, and in the instance of coloured pencils to the highest lightfast quality currently available. The surfaces I use are are acid free to protect your picture from aging or yellowing. Your portrait will be backed and mounted allowing you the chance to choose your own frame style to suit the placing on the wall space you are to hang your new portrait.

Please note - If photographs of your pet have been taken by someone other than yourself, such as a professional photographer, written proof of permission to use will need to be obtained before work on your portrait can begin, this is because the copyright of the photo belongs to the photographer.