K9 Magazine Masterclass: How to Create Your Own Pet Portrait
Published on February 23, 2011 by Ryan O'Meara · No CommentsIf you’re a person with a passion for pets, probably very likely if you’re reading K9 Magazine, then you may be one of the millions of animal lovers who crave the ability to capture the subjects which interest you on paper, canvas or on film. As ever K9 Magazine is here to help with our Arty Animal Master Class Series. This first instalment sees the outrageously talented artist Susan Brinkman give you an insight into the basics of creating a pet portrait using pencil art.
Susan Brinkmann was born in Southampton in 1963 but moved to the Netherlands when she was eight years old. Even as a child, she was always busy with pencils and crayons, trying to visualize on paper the things she saw. Her preference for highly detailed techniques resulted in life-like portraits. A great love for animals, dogs in particular, has been a continual source of inspiration. After graduating from the Academy of Arts, she continued to improve her technique, and today receives growing appreciation and fame for her, mostly commissioned, portraits.
This masterclass report will teach you how to draw a dog by using the image below, and the process by which it was created, as a basis to teach the skills required to become a real Arty Animal!
In this mini art-course, I shall try to explain which steps I take when creating an animal portrait. In order to master the technique that I use, it helps if you are a little skilled in drawing with pencils.
If you’re not particularly skilled with a pencil, well, if you are a patient person willing to practice a bit, why not give it a shot?! The main thing is to enjoy yourself and learn something in the process!
[private_Premier]Although I like to work with various materials, I usually choose coloured pencils when creating animal portraits, because they allow me to produce the finest detail. Moreover, I find pencils ideal for capturing the texture of an animal’s fur. I draw thousands of tiny little lines, almost as if every single hair is displayed.
Of course, you can use any kind of material you like. The main thing is, that you feel comfortable using it. But if you wish to create a drawing with a very life-like effect, you might like to give coloured pencils a try. I prefer a fairly hard type of pencil, like water colour pencils. In my opinion, softer pencils don’t allow the same degree of detail in texture.
Personally, I like to work from photographs. This way I can accept commissions from all over the world, and as long as the quality of the photograph is good, it is a very practical method. The dog can be photographed in its home environment, where it is relaxed and happy.
STEP 1
Select a really good photograph of your pet. If the quality of the photograph is bad, there is no way your drawing is going to turn out well.
Determine the size of your drawing. Whether you decide to make a small drawing or a larger one, again, the most important thing is that you feel comfortable with it.
Now you are ready to begin. The sheet of white paper will most probably be staring back at you, and you’ll be wondering how on earth to draw that first line.
Tip: Let me give you a tip that will shock many art teachers (by the way, I do have an art teaching degree!). If your photograph is large enough, hold it against a window, cover it with your sheet of paper and just indicate the most important lines very lightly: mark the position of the eyes, nose, ears, and the jaw line, etc.
Beginning is often the most difficult and frustrating part for inexperienced artists and determining proportions is really difficult. So you have my blessing. But…don’t give in to the temptation to take it too far: it is merely meant to help you get started!
STEP 2
Now it is important that you get a ‘grip’ on the image. Take your time to understand what you are drawing. Study your photograph carefully and try to distinguish the various shades you see. Sometimes it helps to forget that you are drawing an object, person or animal, try to focus on the colours and shapes you see!
Instead of using just one shade of brown, gray or black, buy yourself a variety of pencils in these colours. You will find that there are, for instance, reddish browns and yellowish browns. For the beagle portrayed on these pages, I used six different shades of brown, three shades of gray, a light blue and a black pencil.
If your dog is brown, choose a light brown pencil to begin with and apply a first ‘layer’ of lines in this shade. Then select a second shade for your next ‘layer’, and so forth.
TIP: Go from light to dark. Carefully indicate where the darker sections are, using a dark grey pencil.
STEP 3
Build your picture up slowly and carefully, never with haste! If you are feeling rushed, stressed or nervous, stop immediately and continue drawing when you are feeling more relaxed. The moment you start working too quickly, the lines you draw will become too harsh and your drawing will lose its delicate and detailed quality. Stay ‘in control’!
TIP: Don’t expect miracles to happen overnight! The three ‘P’s in this course are Patience, Practice and Pleasure!
STEP 4
Very slowly, continue to add colours and contrast. Now that your drawing is advancing and the most important parts are in place, you may also begin to apply a little more pressure with your pencils.
TIP: Select a photograph in which the eyes are clearly visible. The result will be more appealing.
STEP 5
Use your black pencil sparingly; maybe even leaving it until last. Apply only a few black accents, like the darkest parts of the pupils (these may be a deep black), and nose.
You will see that it was worth waiting for: now your portrait is really coming to life!
Download full illustrated report to accompany this feature – >
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For information on commissioned portraits, prices, questions and comments, please contact:
Susan Brinkmann
Tel. 0031 402439956 or 0031 645736970
Web site: www.kallistart.nl
Email: info@kallistart.nl
Highly Recommended: This could be the most important link you EVER click as far as your dog’s life is concerned – see why….!
