Welcome to our beautiful oil painting of Monty the Whippet – Oil Portrait Birthday Surprise. It was commissioned by our client Andrew as a birthday gift for his wife. From the very first message, we knew how much this surprise would mean to his wife. We worked closely with Andrew to create a portrait that truly captured Monty’s personality.
Monty is a gentle soul with a soft, inquisitive expression. He wears a blue polka dot bandana and is never far from his favourite toy. Both included in the final painting.
A Thoughtful Birthday Gift
Andrew reached out in September with a thoughtful idea: to surprise his wife with a portrait of Monty for her birthday on October 22nd. Time was tight, but with some extra work, Nicholas was able to make it happen.
“Her favourite photo of him isn’t a head and shoulders, but I’ll send it now, followed by a couple of alternatives…”
From the photos Andrew sent, it was clear which image told Monty’s story best. His toy bunny was a must have detail. Although it made the composition more complex, it added so much character to the piece. We adapted the photo to work as a portrait format (to fit a specific spot on their wall!). Also made a few subtle changes to improve clarity and balance.
Portrait in Progress
One of the unique challenges was adapting the posture and light while removing some distracting shadows and leg positions from the original photo. We worked closely with Andrew on mock-ups to make sure every detail was just right.
Once the final oil painting was complete, we photographed and filmed the portrait before packing it carefully in tissue and ribbon. Ready for delivery to Scotland.
“Lovely!”
“I’m sure she will love it!”
Despite the looming postal strikes, we managed to get Monty’s portrait on its way. Just in time for the birthday reveal.
Portrait Packed
Monty’s portrait is painted on a 16 x 12 inch canvas and shows him seated gracefully in the grass, also proudly holding his toy. The soft background gives a sense of peace and space while keeping the focus on his expressive face. His eyes are gentle, full of love and connection—the heart of what Andrew wanted to capture.
Want to Commission a Portrait Like This?
We hope that you have enjoyed reading about Monty the Whippet – Oil Portrait Birthday Surprise. If you’re looking for a meaningful birthday gift, an oil painting like Monty’s makes a beautiful and lasting tribute. We’d love to hear about your dog or cat, and help bring your idea to life.
You can visit our Commission Info Page or Contact Us to get started. And if you love this style, you might also enjoy this – German Shepherd Oil Portrait of Lucie
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