Welcome to my latest blog post about a Newfoundland pencil portrait of Padfoot. His portrait was commissioned by returning client Nick as a surprise gift for his wife, making it all the more special. Padfoot’s lovely side profile drawing was a just a pleasure to capture in pencil and I hope the finished drawing brings back happy memories for the family every time they see it.
Nick is a returning client, I had previously drawn their dog Willow a few years ago and it was lovely to be asked to create another pencil portrait for their family. This time, with Christmas just around the corner and my commission schedule full, we arranged something a little different…
Portrait Gift Vouchers for Christmas (or any occasion!)
Nick ordered one of my gift vouchers. He paid in full and chose the reference photo, allowing me to add him to my commissions list. He stayed very organised throughout, having been through the commissioning process before and knowing exactly how it all worked.
If you would like to read about my commissioning process, take a look at my website – Pencil pet Portraits. Nick arranged the voucher with me which was perfect as a Christmas gift for his wife. Vouchers are great in that if you are getting close to a deadline – Christmas, birthdays, anniversaries etc. They make the perfect gift.
In Padfoot’s case, Nick ordered the portrait just after I’d closed my Christmas commissions. Instead of rushing it, we booked him into my January schedule and created a personalised card which you can see here showing the photo that would be the basis of the portrait. Nick could then present it to his wife on Christmas Day.
If you would like to do something similar for a gift for a friend or family member, and are short on time, I’d be happy to put a design together for you, just let me know.
Drawing Newfoundlands in Pencil
Newfoundlands have such thick, expressive coats and strong profiles, making them incredibly wonderful subjects for pencil drawings. I build up the shading gradually to bring out their gentle expression while maintaining the texture and depth of their fur.
When working from a profile view like Padfoot’s, it’s all about balancing light and shadow to maintain a sense of structure. Especially in black coated dogs. It’s also important to keep the eye and nose crisp and detailed. As these are the focal points that help bring the portrait to life.
Tips for Photographing Newfoundlands for Portraits
If you’re planning a portrait of your own Newfoundland, here are a few tips to help get the best photos:
- Lighting matters: For dark-coated dogs, avoid strong backlighting or deep shadows. Try photographing them in natural daylight near a bright window or outside on a cloudy day.
- Backgrounds: A light, neutral background works well for black Newfies, helping to separate the dog from the background. Pale coloured Newfoundlands can be photographed with darker foliage or indoor shadows to help them stand out.
- Focus on the eyes: Try to capture the sparkle and clarity in your dog’s eyes. A slightly elevated camera angle often works well to avoid distortion.
- Capture their personality: Whether it’s a soft expression or their majestic profile like Padfoot’s, the more character the better!
Happy Clients
Nick and his wife were delighted with the finished portrait. I can’t thank Nick enough for taking the photo for me. The framer did a marvellous job here, loving the black inner mount as it really sets of Padfoot beautifully.
Hi Melanie, Love the picture it really captures him well 👏 thanks so much
Newfoundland Portraits
I hope that you have enjoyed viewing my Newfoundland Pencil Portrait of Padfoot. It’s always an honour to be part of someone’s gift giving, especially when it involves loved pets. If you’d like to see more examples of pencil drawings like Padfoot’s, have a browse through my Latest Pencil Pet Portraits Gallery. You might also enjoy seeing Ava. She was a stunning Standard Poodle pencil drawing with beautiful flowing curls, or Karl the Labrador from a recent Christmas commission.
If you are considering commissioning a portrait of your Newfoundland (or any breed!), feel free to get in touch. You can also view portrait sizes and prices on my commission info page. I’d love to hear from you.
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