The Soulful Gaze: Creating a Momma Cheetah Portrait
There’s always a special something that draws me to a particular subject. It could be the colors, the details, or the contrast. But in the case of this stunning Momma Cheetah, it was entirely about the eyes. They hold such depth and intensity - a powerful combination of beauty and strength that I just had to capture.
Firstly, I must give full credit to the wonderful and talented Karren Almstrom-Dixon, who took this photo on a safari in Sabi Sands, South Africa. Karren generously shares her photography on the 'Free Reference Animal Images For Artists' Facebook page. It must have been an incredible experience to spend a full hour with this magnificent creature, and her kind permission gives artists the opportunity to recreate her stunning work in our chosen medium.
The Right Tools for a Realistic Portrait
For a piece like this, I rely on my trusted colored pencil brands: Faber Castell Polychromos, Caran D’Ache Luminance and Pablos, and the Derwent range. I've also chosen my preferred surface, drafting film, which I love for the painterly effect I can achieve.
To begin, I created a simple graphite sketch to ensure all the features were in the correct place. This step is so important for a realistic pet portrait. If the proportions are even slightly off, the entire piece can feel wrong. As I move on to the color, I carefully rub out the graphite from each section using a Tombow or Putty eraser.
It’s All in the Eyes
And so, back to those eyes... my "draw" for this entire piece.
Aren't they just beautiful? Look at the colors within them and that incredible stare! I wouldn’t mess with this Momma. The joy of using these gorgeous colors is something else!
Polychromos pencils are fantastic for eyes because they have a translucent quality when layering. This means each color can be seen and is not lost, which creates a wonderful 3D or "glassy" effect.
I used a variety of shades, including Dark Cadmium Yellow, Orange, and Caput Mortum from the Polychromos range; Cornelian and Crimson Alizarin from Luminance; and Flame from Derwent Lightfast. I used Polychromos Dark Indigo and Black for the pupils and surrounding areas.
A Word on Lightfastness
When creating a high-quality piece of animal art like this, it's essential to consider the archival qualities of the materials. Every colored pencil range has a lightfastness rating, which relates to the life of the pigment. For example, the Faber Castell Polychromos I used have a "Blue Wool" star rating. A three-star rating means the pigments have a fade resistance of 100+ years. This ensures your bespoke artwork will retain its vibrancy for a very long time.
Building Layers of Life
I find choosing the right colors for this type of fur quite difficult, but I settled on a few shades that worked well together. The rest of the magic is in the layering. It's amazing how many layers you can build on drafting film with a light touch. Layering achieves realism and depth, and tools like the Tombow eraser can even add detail by "subtracting" pigment.
Remember, my goal isn't to create an exact copy, but rather to capture the soul and essence of the animal.
The Final Result
I hope you'll agree that a finished piece is so much more than a likeness - it's a tribute to the subject.
The finished piece will be available soon on my website. I truly hope that it captures the soul of this incredible animal and brings a smile to your face.
It's such a joy to see a piece come to life. I hope this before-and-after shows you just how much love goes into every stroke.
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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Yes! While many of my commissions are for dog portraits and cats, I love creating portraits of all animals, from cherished pets to wild creatures like this cheetah.
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A custom pet portrait is an original piece of artwork created just for you. A print is a high-quality, limited edition reproduction of an original piece, like the ones from my Barnyard Collection or this cheetah portrait, which will be available soon.