This is to be one of my next graphite pencil portraits from photos. It combines people and animal portrait paintings so will be a challenge. This is to be a birthday gift.
I am currently awaiting for further images to begin as the sprocker's eyes are not very visible in the original reference image above. I have already been given a second image but unfortunately she also had her eyes closed on this one. It is very difficult to produce animal portrait paintings without good images or having met the subjects in person, luckily I do have the opportunity to pay the sprocker a visit in person and take photos myself if the need arises. See my pencil portraits from photos tips page to ensure your images are suitable. I have now taken some more photos of Sal the sprocker with more eye detail showing .As a dog portrait artist it is vital to get as much detail from an image as possible, although it is possible to use my knowledge as a dog portrait artist for the shape and eye colours etc of a pet it is always better to have a good clear photo showing all the vital details. As you can see Sal was wearing her 'naughty dog' collar today but this does not matter as I will be using the original image above in the portrait and simply using the detailing of the eyes from these (there is actually eye detail in these images but Sal's eyes are very dark)
So work will begin very soon....
And here it is. I started from the right side of the page as graphite pencils are very easy to smudge so I do not want to work over an area I have already worked so being left handed this prevents it. So far I have sketched in the outline and shaded prominent areas on my latest pencil portraits from photos. I will not be working further down the jacket as only a head and shoulders portrait is required. This is my first people and animal portrait paintings combination. I will return to this area for blending as in my opinion it creates a more realistic skin tone. I think so far this has taken about 6 or 7 hours to get to this stage.
I have started to Sal the sprocker now, her eyes are in place and having met Sal on many occassions I know they are right, plus I was able to get the additional photographs to ensure they were the correct shape and shading.
To enhance the whiteness of Sal's fur I chose to colour the background with a pale cream pastel shade and touched up the lowlights to ensure all detail was brought out.
Pencil Portraits from Photos People and Animal Portrait Paintings by dog portrait artist Karie-Ann Cooper 
