Welcome to our most recent blog post and Shadow’s Portrait – Oil Painting by Nicholas. We are delighted to share the story behind the oil painting of Shadow. A gorgeous Golden Retriever commissioned by a lovely client in the UK. Shadow holds a special place in their hearts, not only is she a beloved companion, but she also has a charming personality, following her owner everywhere like a true shadow!
This portrait was painted at our 18 x 14 inch size. Nicholas has perfectly captured her beautiful expression, soft eyes and golden fur. What makes this portrait special is the delicate strawberry resting in her mouth. Can you see it in the painting?
The Story Behind the Commission
Shadow’s portrait was commissioned as a special surprise gift for our client’s husband, Rob. When our client first contacted us, she was excited about the idea of an oil painting but knew that we were approaching the busy Christmas period. Despite our tight schedule, we worked closely with her to complete the commission as quickly as possible.
She shared a little about Shadow, explaining that she follows Rob everywhere, hence her name. At just a year old, Shadow had already become an irreplaceable member of their family. Our client, who lives between Cheshire and central London, described their home as a lively space filled with loved ones – grandchildren, family members, and of course, their loyal Golden Retriever.
As Christmas neared, we kept our client informed about our availability, and she kindly reassured us that if we couldn’t complete it in time, she would give it to Rob for his August birthday instead. This flexibility gave Nicholas the chance to work on Shadow’s painting with the attention to detail it deserved.
Bringing Shadow to Life on Canvas
Nicholas started by working on the composition, ensuring the focus was entirely on Shadow’s expression. Nicholas carefully painted a soft, neutral green toned background to complement Shadow’s golden fur. When we sent the final photos for Normaine to see, her reaction was amazing
“The painting of Shadow is magnificent and everything I had hoped for. It is perfect and no ‘tweaking’ needed. Well done to Nicholas! So looking forward to framing it and presenting it to Rob.”
Packaging and Safe Delivery
We carefully packaged Shadow’s completed portrait to ensure safe delivery. Our packaging process involves using foam wrap, reinforced cardboard outer packaging, and of course the paintings being secure with delicate wrapping inside prevent any damage during transit.
Shadow’s Portrait – Oil Painting by Nicholas
We hope you ahve enjoyed reading about Shadow’s Portrait – Oil Painting by Nicholas. If you would like a portrait of your dog similar to this just drop us a line! You can get in touch with us here to discuss your ideas and safe a space in Nicholas’ commissions list. If you would like to read about another recent oil painting, head over to the portrait of Monty & Ozzy’s oil portrait. We hope you’ve enjoyed seeing Shadow’s painting and reading the story behind it. Thank you for following along on our journey!
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