I was commissioned to paint a portrait of a  gorgeous Miniature Yorkshire Terrior named Pebbles as a special Christmas present. I painted her from photos in oils on canvas and thought I’d share the process with you!

I like to start with more than one photo so I have options when it comes to deciding on the best possible composition.

Photos of Pebbles

Step 2

The next step is to make sure your initial sketch is as accurate as possible. This will prevent problems later. I mixed and matched a few photographs and had Pebbles looking straight facing forward.

Pencil Sketch

Step 3

For the first layer I just want to cover the whole canvas in paint, I don’t worry too much about the colours being accurate but I do try and paint in the direction of the fur, even at the early stages.

First Layer

Step 4

With the first coat dry, I then cover the whole canvas in a thin layer of Liquin over the areas where I will be painting fur.  I dip the tip of a large brush into oil paint (no Liquin)  and start to paint the first under-layer of fur and textures.

First under layer of fur

Step 5

For the next few stages I worked on getting the likeness of the dog with the photos and modeling the fur.

Work on the fur

Step 6

When it was dry I again covered the canvas in a thin coat of liquin.  I went over all the fur with light colours to shape it further. I used a mixture of yellow ochre. white and a touch of blue for the champagne colour.

Light fur

Fur Modeling

The colours are too light at this stage but I will knock it back with darker glazes next.

Step 7

I again apply a thin layer of liquin over the fur area, whilst this is still wet I begin glazing darker colours over the top of the fur. This knocks back the very light colours and adds depth and shadow.

Darker Glazes

Step 8

I  spend some time painting in fine details and fur. Remember fur is painted light to dark, I apply a light line of colour and blend in the root and tip.

Detail of painting the fur

Step 9

Finishing touches included fine hairs around the ears and edges and minor tweaks.

Finished Oil Painting

Detail of finished painting

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