Welcome to my blog post about the Two Golden Retriever Pencil Portraits of Sam. This special commission came from Michael and Kathy Malta in the USA, who asked me to create two pencil drawings of their beautiful golden retriever, Sam. One portrait was 16 x 12 inches, designed to hang in their staircase, and the second was a smaller 10 x 8 inch drawing.
Michael first contacted me with a really lovely message…
“I just want to say I love your pencil work. I used to staff artists for some of the largest ad agencies in NY. Pencil art is my favorite and would love to commission from you a portrait of my golden Samantha ‘Sam’.”
He explained that Sam was currently 8 years old and that he had a puppy photo which truly captured her spirit. After discussing sizes, they chose a larger 16 x 12 pencil drawing, with the idea of displaying it in a special place in their home. Michael added:
“One of her most glowing features were her orange eyebrows which now have turned white as she is now 8 years old. She is such a sweet dog.”
Sending Pet Portraits to the USA
Once both portraits were complete and scanned, I carefully packed them into one of our luxury presentation boxes. The portraits travelled from Wales to Staten Island, New York via DHL Express. I always include tracked and expedited shipping in my quotes for clients outside the UK.
Michael messaged:
“Does the final cost include shipping to USA?”
Yes — it does! I’ve sent pencil portraits across the world, and many go to the USA. Once the portraits arrived, I received the most moving message:
“Thank you for the artwork of Sam. We received them today and it brought tears to our eyes.”
It was a real honour to create both pieces for Michael and Kathy and I enjoyed drawing both portraits of Sam.
Choosing the Right Size for Your Retriever Portrait
When Michael and Kathy commissioned their two drawings of Sam, they carefully considered how each piece would fit into their home. They chose a 16 x 12 inch portrait to hang in their staircase, a central space that allowed for a larger statement piece and a 10 x 8 inch portrait for a smaller, more intimate spot.
I often help clients decide which size is best for their pet portrait. It depends on where you plan to display it, how detailed you’d like it to be, and whether it’s a head study, full body, or even a montage.
As a guide:
- 10 x 8 inches works beautifully for a simple head and shoulders portrait, especially when space is limited.
- 12 x 10 inches offers a little more breathing room and works well for head studies or a full body of a smaller dog.
- 16 x 12 inches is ideal for larger breeds like retrievers or for when you want a striking piece to display more prominently.
If you’re considering a full-body drawing or montage, I usually recommend starting from 14 x 11 inches or larger. This gives me enough space to capture your pet’s character and detail without things feeling cramped. Whatever size you choose, I’ll help guide you through the process to make sure your portrait suits both your vision and your space.
Displaying Sam’s Portrait
A few months after delivery, Michael kindly sent me a photo of one of Sam’s portraits beautifully framed and hung in their home. It looks stunning against the beautiful blue colour of their wall, especially with all the sunlight pouring in.
If you’re wondering how pencil drawings look once framed and in place, this is a lovely example. It’s always special to see where the portraits end up living and how they become part of a family home.
Commissioning Your Own Golden Retriever Portrait
I hope that you have enjoyed reading about my Two Golden Retriever Pencil Portraits of Sam. Golden retrievers are one of my favourite breeds to draw in pencil. Their fur textures, gentle eyes, and soulful faces work beautifully in pencil. If you’d like to see another portrait, visit Kipling’s blog post here – Golden Retriever Montage Pencil Drawing of Kipling
You can also browse my main website for more information about my pencil work and how to commission your own portrait. www.pencil-petportraits.com
If you’d like to commission more than one drawing as Michael and Kathy did, I’d be delighted to help you capture your pet in different stages of their life. Please feel free to email or WhatsApp me with any questions. I’d love to hear from you.
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