New Pastel Portrait Demonstration

'Murphy' demo, blocking in

Hi, back in the studio working on a new portrait of 'Murphy' a lovely golden retriever (sadly passed on) for our neighbours.  I will show you step by step how this portrait progresses, so keep watching!  I want to get as much feeling into this work as I can.........
                                                              

SALUKI DOG PASTEL PORTRAIT FINISHED

Hi, 'Jamil' Saluki dog pastel portrait is now complete and I am really happy with the result.  The final highlights to his collar and beads were added and now I put my pastels down!

His owner is delighted with the portrait and he is now ready to be shipped off to France.  I will be sad to see him leave my studio, he has become a good friend.  Bon voyage Jamil!!!

'Jamil'
SOLD



HOW TO PAINT A DOG PORTRAIT in pastel - Step by Step. Stage 1

Alongside my Daily small Painting series I am currently working on more dog portraits and thanks to a fb friend, I have at last got a Saluki dog model! I know about his character and have access to several photos of him. I have been asked to show the stages of making a pastel portrait, so here goes.

As I cannot meet Jamil in the flesh, I select a photo to work from, then get as accurate a drawing I can but also aim to capture his individual character.   I think about the composition and placement of the head on the paper. 

Next, I look for the tonal range grey scale and local colours and indicate those in key areas.  I think of this first stage as mapping out all of the main elements, composition, tone, colour.



Saluki 'Jamil' dog pastel portrait stage 1



Now the light is fading so I will leave it alone! I will post the next stage when complete, keep watching, Jan