I had the pleasure of creating a pencil portrait of Karl, a beautiful Labrador, commissioned by Nikki in Florida, as a Christmas gift for her husband. Nikki reached out to me in October 2024, enquiring about an 8×10 inch headshot of Karl. She wanted a simple composition without a background, similar to other Labrador portraits in my gallery.
Nikki provided lots of photos of Karl and between us we both settled on the perfect photo that captured his personality and character well. The reference photo showcased Karl’s beautiful eyes and distinctive features, making it an ideal choice for a pencil drawing.
Taking Photos of Your Labrador
Photographing Labradors can be challenging due to their varying coat colours. If you are looking to have a portrait similar to Karl’s, here are some tips to help you capture them at their best for a pencil portrait.
- Black Labradors: Photograph your dog in well lit areas with lighter backgrounds to ensure their features stand out. Avoid harsh direct sunlight, as it can cause overexposure and loss of detail.
- Yellow or Light Coloured Labradors: Use darker backgrounds to create contrast so that your dog’s lighter fur stands out. Soft, natural lighting helps in capturing the subtle shades and textures of their coat.
- Chocolate Labradors: Aim for neutral or slightly lighter backgrounds to balance their rich, dark brown coats. Overcast days or shaded areas can provide even lighting, highlighting their features without harsh shadows.
When choosing the kind of backgrounds for your pencil portrait, many clients opt for a clean, white background. Especially for darker-coated Labradors and head studies, to emphasize the subject. However, if you have a lighter coloured Labrador, I can use subtle subtle shading or a gentle scenic background which helps the dogs stand out well.
Choosing the Right Size for Your Labrador Portrait
Selecting the right size for your Labrador portrait depends on where you would like to display your artwork and how much room you have in your home. The portrait of Karl was an 8 x 10 inch head and shoulders study, which works beautifully for a focused piece. If you’d prefer something closer to life size, an 18 x 14 inch format allows for more detail. Especially around the eyes and coat texture. Full-body portraits are also a popular choice and work best at 20 x 16 inches or larger. Here there’s space to include your Labrador’s full stance or even a scenic background. Any size can work depending on your ideas, and I’m happy to help you choose what’s right for you and your dog. You can find more information and pricing options on my Commission Info and Prices page.
Karl’s Portrait All Finished!
Nikki was delighted with the final portrait of Karl and wrote this upon receiving it. I really hope that it made for a wonderful gift for her husband at Christmas.
ITS BEAUTIFUL. I absolutely LOVE it. Thank you so much Melanie. Thank you and merry Christmas!!
Thank you for reading my blog post about the Labrador Pencil Portrait of Karl. If you are considering commissioning a pencil portrait of your Labrador or any other pet, feel free to visit my gallery to view previous works and gather inspiration. For more information on commissioning a portrait, including pricing and sizing options, please visit my commission information page.
For more examples of Labrador portraits, you might enjoy reading about Gladys, the Black Labrador Pencil Drawing. I chat about the process and considerations for capturing the unique characteristics of black Labradors in pencil. I look forward to working with you and your Labrador soon!
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