Welcome to my latest three dog pencil portrait of Baxter Bertie and Treacle. This three dog pencil portrait was a returning commission for Cathy in Ireland. She previously asked me to draw a pencil portrait of her brother’s Cockapoo, Georgie. You can see Georgie’s portrait and read the full story behind that gift here – Cockapoo Pencil Drawing of Georgie
This second drawing was a very special piece featuring Cathy’s own dogs Baxter, Bertie, and Treacle. Cathy described what made each of them unique. Bertie’s smile, Treacle’s eyes and Baxter’s cheeky expression. My goal was to capture all of their personalities within one composition.
Planning the Layout – Capturing Three Personalities
Cathy and I discussed sizing and layout in detail. We decided on a 16 x 12 inch portrait which is just about enough room for three dogs in pencil. We also talked about the challenges of working from darker reference photos. Cathy was especially keen to make sure their features stand out, even with their darker fur. “Bertie is difficult to get a decent photo of because of his dark face and eyes,” she said. “Same with Baxter. I particularly want to capture Treacle’s eyes.” I reassured her that with pencil drawings, I could enhance the detail where needed, lifting shadows and refining expressions, to bring out the aspects she sees in her dogs.
A Journey with No Hiccups This Time!
After we finalised the design, I completed the pencil drawing and carefully packaged it up for its journey to Ireland. This time, I used DHL rather than Royal Mail to avoid the delays we had with Georgie’s portrait due to Brexit-related customs issues and strike disruptions. Read about that in Georgie’s post! Thankfully, this portrait’s journey was smooth and it arrived quickly! “Picture has arrived and is now at the framers, thanks so much.”
A few days later, Cathy sent a lovely photo of the final framed piece, and I was absolutely delighted to see it in its new home.
Creating a Multi-Dog Portrait in Pencil
Drawing more than one dog in a single pencil portrait allows for a wonderful interplay of character and expression. I always aim to create balance between the subjects while making sure each dog’s unique features are captured. Whether it’s the texture of their fur or the glint in their eyes.
If you’re considering a pencil drawing of multiple pets, I’d be more than happy to help with photo suggestions, layout options and advice on size. There’s no extra charge for multiple dogs in one drawing, just a little more paper and time. You can find more details on my pencil portrait commission page.
Thank You, Cathy
I hope that you have enjoyed reading about Three Dog Pencil Portrait of Baxter, Bertie and Treacle. Thank you to Cathy once again for entrusting me with these very special portraits. It’s been such a pleasure getting to know your dogs and creating drawings that honour the joy they bring to your life.
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