Bailey

The reference photograph chosen for Bailey is another example of how clients so often choose the best references for their pets.

This reference shouldn't work; it's all in shadow, it's dominated by a massive doughnut toy and Bailey's body is cut off in an odd way. In addition, the commissioned portrait was very small at just 8" x 6" so I would have recommended featuring only his head and shoulders..

However to the client who knows Bailey, it stood out as a perfect portrayal of his character, and they were completely right. The pose, the layout and the ridiculous doughnut toy taking up so much space all worked perfectly!

Bailey's portrait shows how well we know our own dogs in a way that nobody else does, and the best reference to use is always your personal favourite. The photo that you use as your wallpaper. The photo you always search for among 10,000 photos of the same dog to show to anyone who shows an interest. If they have passed away, it's that one photo that stabs you right in the heart. So often clients are afraid to choose photo references because they worry about technical issues such as lighting and clarity and everything else, and although it is important that I can see what the subject looks like, an artist is not a photocopier or a printer.

The finished portrait was drawn with Faber Castell Pitt Pastel Pencil and Unison Soft Pastel on Daler Rowney Ingres pastel paper and measures 8" x 6" / 20 x 15cm.

Bailey’s portrait alongside the reference photograph.