Welcome to my latest blog post where I thought it would be good to do a bit of a roundup of a pencil pet portrait collection of drawings from this year. I have squeezed in a few drawings that don’t really warrant a blog post all to themselves, so I thought this would be a good opportunity to showcase them all in one post.
I love drawing the smaller pencil pet portrait drawings as it allows me to fit them onto my drawing desk with ease and really get to grips with the detail. Photos are key though and the better quality the photo, essentially the better the drawing will be. I can add extra detail in to some extent but I can only go so far with what I can see in your photos.
Choosing Sizes for a Pencil Portrait
My favourite sizes to draw are the 10 x 8 and the 12 x 10 size. I often think that the smaller breeds shouldn’t really be portrayed much larger than life size. So if you have a Yorkshire Terrier, ideally it should be drawn on one of these sizes. It definitely shouldn’t be on a 30 x 40! That would be pretty scary!
If you would like a pencil pet portrait drawn and you aren’t sure what size drawing would be best for you, please do drop me a line and we can discuss it. Quite often clients come to me with specific places join their home in mind to display the portrait. We then work out what size the frame would be to fit within the space. We work back from there to see what size the drawing would need to be.
I have often then helped the clients to take the right shaped photo of their pet. If you imagine taking a portrait orientation photo, head and chest, this would make the drawing a portrait orientation drawing. However if your space was landscape over the fireplace for instance, ideally you might like to capture your pet laying down. This would allow the drawing of your pet to lay sideways. Perhaps in a garden with grass around and fill the space well.
The drawing below is quite an unusual composition. I combined lots of photos of different dogs, but it works really well and would be mounted and framed landscape. Therefore would require a landscape space in your home on your wall. There is a lot to think about when commissioning a drawing!
Finally, I hope you’ve enjoyed reading about my pencil pet portraits and seeing the collection of drawings I’ve created. Each portrait is completely unique, each commission handled uniquely too. If you’re considering commissioning a portrait, whether it’s a detailed pencil drawing like the ones featured here or one of Nicholas’s stunning oil paintings, we would love to hear from you.
We know that choosing an artist for such a personal and meaningful piece can feel like a big decision, and we’re always happy to guide, advise, and answer any questions you may have. Whether you’re looking for a timeless tribute to a beloved pet, a special gift for a friend or family member, or simply want to celebrate the love you share with your furry companion, we’re here to help bring your vision to life.
Feel free to email us at any time. We are always happy to chat about your ideas, discuss options, and ensure your portrait is just as you imagine it. We look forward to creating something truly special for you!
Hi Melanie
It’s lovely, just as I knew it would be. Has brought more than a few tears to my eyes (as I knew it would)!
Thank you so much, I’m sure they’ll be a few more tears when I receive it!!
I look forward to having Poppy in my front room, where she’ll belong forever 🙂
You are super talented xx
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