Welcome to my latest blog post of a grey Standard Poodle pencil drawing of Ava. It was commissioned by Andrew as a birthday gift for his father who was going to be 90. It was such a joy to create, from the early design stages to the final graphite layers. Standard Poodles are elegant, intelligent and full of personality. Their unique coats and poised expressions make them ideal subjects for pencil portraits. Ava’s soft curls and relaxed posture worked beautifully for a pencil drawing.
Designing the Perfect Composition
Andrew was very helpful to work with and gave feedback throughout with exactly what he wanted. Which is great for me to have a definite brief to work with. We began with mock-ups to explore composition and size options. Seeing the layout helped him visualise the finished piece more clearly. This is something I like to do for each client I work with, so that they can visualise what the end portrait might look like.
“That is very helpful to see,” he wrote. “I think I prefer the 12 x 10 version as it shows more of her shape.”
We also discussed the background in detail. While one initial option showed Ava outdoors on grass, Andrew felt a soft, fabric-based setting would suit her better.
“I cannot visualise how the grass would look… I prefer fabric, if that is OK.”
We refined the design together, removing a scatter cushion and adjusting the balance of tones behind her. Andrew referenced a previous drawing of two Siamese cats, which he particularly liked for its gentle mottled background.
“I liked the effect that you achieved with the Siamese cats… a similar sort of background would be perfect.”
You can view the portrait of Tai and Chin, the Siamese cats, which helped inspire the look and feel behind Ava’s setting.
Capturing Ava in Pencil – Texture, Tone and Character
Ava’s portrait was completed in graphite pencils on hot pressed Italian watercolour paper paper. I worked in soft layers to replicate the curl and shine of her grey coat while ensuring her features remained the focus.
Poodles have a unique coat texture, especially around their ears and paws. Capturing these areas in pencil requires careful shading and detail, it’s one of the most rewarding challenges in realistic pet portraiture. Andrew’s kind words after seeing the final piece….
“Hi Melanie, it looks very good, thank you.”
The drawing was timed for framing ahead of a special date. Andrews father’s birthday in late September and it was a pleasure to be part of the gift.
Thinking of Commissioning a Poodle Pencil Drawing?
If you’re looking for a custom pencil portrait of a Poodle, I’d love to hear from you. Whether it’s a Standard, Miniature or Toy Poodle, each has their own charm and character and their coats are always lovely to draw. To find out more about my portraits, visit my pencil portraits commission page. Here you can find sizes, prices and information on how to get started. You may also like to see another pencil drawing of a Labrador called Dexter — another commission where texture and detail were key.
Thank You for Reading
Finally, I hope you’ve enjoyed reading about my Grey Standard Poodle Pencil Drawing of Ava. If you’re considering commissioning a poodle pencil drawing or a custom portrait of your own dog, please feel free to get in touch. I’m always happy to discuss photos and ideas to help create something truly personal.
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