“EINSTEIN” Pastel Dog Portrait – Pomeranian

REFERENCE PHOTO

 

 

 

This was a commissioned pastel dog portrait. Since the clients did not have any photos that were suitable for a portrait, we arranged for me to have a photo session with Einstein, a Pomeranian. We set him on the sofa near a window, where he played with his stuffed dinosaur, one of his favorite toys. Having him on the sofa raised him high enough so that when I crouched or sat on a chair to shoot the pictures, I would be more or less on an eye level with him, which usually results in the best photos. The light from a window is ideal, as it is a single source of light coming from the side, which shows form very well, and being daylight, the colors would be true. We finally decided on the above photo (which I cropped as shown above), because it shows Einstein’s personality, and the pose and lighting were very good.  I would be including the toy in the portrait, but leaving out the bed.

 

 

 

STEP 1 –  OUTLINE

 

 

After my initial outline drawing was completed, I transferred it onto my surface of choice, which was UArt 500 sanded paper. I transferred the drawing with white Saral transfer paper.

 

 

 

STEP 2

 

 

 

 

 

Laid in some initial color with Pan Pastel. It takes several layers to build up such dense, fluffy hair, but pastel is ideal for this kind of soft, furry coat. I was happy that even so early in the painting process, I was able to capture Einstein’s happy, alert expression. Sometimes capturing the expression of the subject is easier than at other times. Since it’s crucial to the success of the portrait, I’m always relieved when I can nail it down fairly accurately early in the process!

 

 

 

STEP 3

 

 

 

 

 

Put some color into the background, still using Pan Pastel, which is ideal for making a smooth, blended background. I like to add color to the background early on, as it helps me to judge the values (shading) on the subject in comparison to the background. I decided on a bluish color, to set off the warm golden tones of Einstein’s coat, and because cool colors like blue tend to recede and bring the warm-colored dog forward, putting the attention where it belongs: on the subject of the portrait! Instead of portraying Einstein sitting on a couch, I decided I would simplify things and make it look as though he were sitting on the floor against a wall, as I thought this would work better than the gray couch. I continued to build the colors and texture of Einstein’s fluffy hair.

 

 

 

STEP 4

 

 

 

 

More build-up of color and texture on Einstein and on the stuffed dinosaur toy. Started adding more detail with pastel sticks and pastel pencils.

 

 

 

STEP 5

 

 

 

 

 

More color on the dog, building up the coat, and on the toy. Worked also on the surface on which Einstein is sitting, and the cast shadows. I decided to put some greenish/turquoise colors into the background to contrast nicely with the dog’s coat and also harmonize better with the greens in the dinosaur toy. An artist should always strive for color harmony in any painting to “pull everything together.”

 

 

 

STEP 6

 

 

 

 

Things are now coming together and the portrait is nearing completion. Still building up the colors and textures of the fluffy coat, and blending out the background colors.

 

 

 

COMPLETED PORTRAIT

 

Added more turquoise colors to the background and blended it all out. Added some finishing touches and signed my name. Done! Einstein’s Mommy & Daddy were very happy with the portrait of their special boy. 🙂 That is the moment that makes all the hard work worthwhile!