Welcome to our latest blog post of a German Shepherd Oil Portrait – Gary Our Champion and Protector. His owner Polly commissioned this piece to celebrate everything Gary means to their family. Not only is he a former champion, but he’s also a loyal protector, a trained service dog and her best friend.
We had previously painted Polly’s other dogs, Marley and Nohea, so it was a joy to work with Polly again for this special portrait. She emailed with the idea of a 20 x 16 oil portrait of Gary and from the first email, it was clear how important this painting would be.
“He is my best protector and friend. Gary is a beautiful shepherd and was a champion in 2016 in Germany.”
Gary’s Eyes
Polly shared how expressive Gary’s eyes are how they “talk to her” and that capturing them perfectly was absolutely key. As with all of our paintings, the portrait evolved carefully through stages and Polly also kindly gave her feedback to help us fine tune the likeness:
“Sorry to be so picky, but I want it to be like him… his colouring is a little darker, more golden with black and beige—not so white looking… And the space between his ears is straighter.”
Of course, we made the adjustments to ensure everything was just right. Once the final version was approved, Polly replied….
“We love it 👍”
Framing Gary’s Portrait
To complete the painting we framed Gary’s portrait and added a custom nameplate, something Polly specifically asked for. The finished piece now hangs proudly next to the portraits of Marley and Nohea, forming a beautiful trio of beloved dogs.
“It is just stunningly beautiful. Looks like the real Gary sitting in the portrait and the eyes are amazing. Needless to say, we are so happy with it and it looks great next to Marley and Nohea. What a threesome!”
Love German Shepherds?
If you’re a fan of German Shepherds, you might also enjoy another of our oil portraits. This time of a beautiful dog named Lucie. Read about her story here – German Shepherd Oil Portrait of Lucie
Thinking About a Portrait of Your Dog?
Whether your dog is a champion, a rescue, or simply your best friend. Nicholas would love to paint your pet for you. Each commission is unique and personal and we work closely with our clients to make sure we capture your pet’s true character.
Visit our Contact Page or browse more portraits on our Website to read more about how to get started. Feel free to also send us your photos and ideas. We would love to hear all about your special companion.
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