My Process: Capturing the Cheeky Grin of a Piggy
As a pet portrait artist, my work is a journey. It starts with a simple image and ends with a piece of art that, I hope, brings a smile to someone’s face. I recently came across this wonderful photo by Pam Fretwell, found on the "Free Reference Animal Images For Artists" Facebook group. It immediately captured my heart.
What struck me were the visual effects of light and shadow, the way these cute pigs were peeking through the fence with their cheeky faces, and the interesting perspective of the pig looking up. It just made me smile. I knew I had to interpret it in my own style, using some of the new techniques I’ve been learning. It’s important to me to always reference the source of any photograph I use—not only for copyright but to respect the generosity and talent of the photographer.
My Go-To Tools and Materials
For this piece, I chose Polydraw drafting film, a surface I've only recently started to explore. I love the painterly effects it allows and the ability to use my favourite tools, like the slice tool for creating fine hairs and a Tombow eraser for sharp highlights.
Working on drafting film is a unique experience. It's incredibly smooth and has virtually no tooth, so you need a feather-light touch. There’s no room for blending, which means every stroke and colour choice has to be deliberate. I'm still experimenting and with each drawing I complete, I learn more about what works and what doesn't.
I use a variety of professional, artist-quality pencils, including Faber Castell Polychromos, Caran D'Ache Luminance, and Derwent Drawing. These pencils have intense, lightfast pigments, which means that any bespoke pet portrait I create will retain its vibrant colours and last for many years to come.
The Slow, Rewarding Process
In the gallery, you can see I started by printing an A4 copy of the photo to use as a reference, sketching the main lines behind the drafting film. Then, I began working on the main pig, building light layers of pale pinks before slowly adding darker colours to increase the contrast. This process is what I love about using coloured pencils; it's a very slow medium, but it allows for so much detail and depth.
In this drawing, I was particularly focused on increasing the values, or the contrast between light and dark. It takes confidence to go bold, but the greater contrast enhances the drama of the piece. I found myself using unexpected colours like Caput Mortum Violet and Dark Indigo to achieve those deep shadows.
Below you can see some shots of the final result. This was a drawing that truly tested me, especially when trying to depict the straw and the black shadows, but I'm so pleased with how it turned out.
This piece is now available as a Giclée print, which is part of my new Barnyard collection. I love how it turned out, and I hope you do, too. What should I call it? All suggestions are welcome!
Inspired to see your own pet brought to life?
If you've ever thought about commissioning a custom pet portrait from your favourite photo, I would be so honoured to work with you. My aim is to create a piece of bespoke pet artwork that captures the unique personality and spirit of your beloved companion.
And if you're looking for a truly special present, a personalised portrait makes an incredibly thoughtful and cute gift for the animal lover in your life, a keepsake to cherish their furry friend forever!
Click Here to Learn More About My Process and Commission a Custom Pet Portrait
Or browse My Full Range of Prints and Original Art
Frequently Asked Questions
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I can create a portrait of any animal! While I get a lot of requests for dog portraits and cats, I love drawing all kinds of animals, from horses and pigs to guinea pigs and lizards.
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My process is simple and personal. We start with a high-quality photo of your pet that you provide. I use this as the primary reference to capture their unique personality and detail, and I'll keep you updated with progress photos throughout the creation of your bespoke pet portrait.
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My pet portrait prices start from £65 for a 5x5-inch Square Portrait. You can find all of my available sizes (A5, A4, and A3) and their prices on my website. Prices vary depending on the size and the number of pets you want in the portrait.
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Yes, I do! If you're looking for a multiple pet portrait, I recommend choosing an A4 or A3 size to ensure I can capture all the unique details of each pet. An additional fee applies for each extra pet in the artwork.