Welcome to our latest blog post about a very Happy Spaniel Portrait in Oils. This stunning oil painting that Nicholas recently painted features Reggie, a lively and much-loved Spaniel commissioned by his owner Nicholas Stothard. (coincidentally they have the same first name!) Reggie was set in a soft green landscape with gentle hills and trees in the distance, Reggie sits front and centre, full of energy. Nicholas asked for a 20 x 16 inch portrait which was the perfect size for a full body portrait with full detailed background.
Capturing the Portrait in Stages
Nicholas always begins each oil painting with a detailed tonal sketch using a wash of sienna, which helps build the foundations of the portrait before any colour is added. In Reggie’s case, he first mapped out his full pose and background in a monochrome underpainting. This stage is all about placement, lighting and flow.
Next, Nicholas began blocking in colour, starting with Reggie’s beautiful markings, also adding depth to his fur, and working into the rich greens of the grass and landscape behind him. These early colour stages bring the portrait to life piece by piece. As with all of our oil paintings, every detail is hand-painted using traditional techniques to create a beautiful and unique portrait.
Finished Spaniel Painting
When the portrait was completed, we received this lovely message form Nicholas and his family –
“We absolutely love it and cannot wait for it to arrive. Thank you so much – it’s amazing 👏”
The Spaniel Painting Framed
Here are a few photos of the portrait all framed and ready to send to our clients. Isn’t the frame absolutely gorgeous!
Spaniel Portrait FAQ
We hope you have enjoyed reading about our Happy Spaniel Portrait in Oils. If you might be considering commissioning a pet portrait, these FAQ’s might be helpful.
How do I commission a portrait of my Spaniel?
It’s easy! Just visit our Commission Information Page, choose your preferred medium (oil or pencil), and send us a few favourite photos of your Spaniel. We’ll guide you through the process step by step.
Can you paint a specific background?
Yes, absolutely. Whether you’d like your Spaniel set in a natural landscape like Reggie’s portrait, or with a simple background. We will work with your ideas and reference photos to create something truly personal.
What size should I choose for my portrait?
Popular sizes for full body Spaniel portraits with full backgrounds like this usually 18 x 14 or 20 x 16 inches, but we can create something bespoke to fit your space. We are happy to help you decide what size will work best for your composition.
Do you ship worldwide?
Yes, we send portraits all over the world and also carefully package each painting to ensure it arrives safely.
Can I see the progress of my painting?
Definitely. We often share work in progress photos during the painting process. So you can see your Spaniel come to life layer by layer!
Love Spaniels? You Might Also Enjoy…
Spaniels are one of the most joyful and expressive breeds to paint. If you enjoy Reggie’s portrait, you might like to see another oil painting of a Spaniel we created – Spaniel Pet Portrait in Oils of Millie
If Reggie’s portrait has inspired you, we would love to hear from you. Whether you’re looking for a head and shoulders piece or a full body scene like this one, we work with clients all over the world. Let us know your ideas. We can’t wait to work with you to create bespoke oil paintings of your pet.
Finally simply get in touch and send us a few of your favourite photos. We will take it from there! You can also see more examples in the Dog Oil Portrait Gallery.
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