This is my commissioned portrait of Matthew and his Cockapoo Rusty, created with pastel on Pastelmat. And yes, that shirt was every bit as difficult to draw as it looks!
What a handsome pair Matthew and Rusty are. Rusty is a Cockapoo with many foibles and curious characteristics. He lives with Matthew, his family, and numerous other dogs and animals. Rusty and Matthew have an especially close bond and an understanding of one another that is really special. This is what inspired Matthew’s wife to commission this portrait, which was gifted for Matthew’s birthday.
People and their pets
Although I have drawn a great many people and pets over the years, this was the first time that I have put them together on one page. It has sparked a new range of portraits which I am developing of people with their animals.
There will be some very detailed works like Matthew and Rusty, and some in a looser style. I enjoy the challenges that arise from portraits with multiple subjects, and developing new ways of working with pencil too. Between commissions, I am working on a drawing of a boy with his favourite dog. But as it is a surprise for Christmas I can’t say any more till the New Year.
Commissioning a personal portrait
If you have not commissioned a portrait from me before, you may like an idea of what is involved before taking the next step. So for the curious amongst you I have written a guide to commissions which outlines all you need to know.
Rusty is the second Cockapoo that I have had the pleasure of painting in pastel. The first was another commissioned pastel portrait of a beautiful boy called Mikey.
And then there were Lucca and Coco, two doggy friends who I sketched in charcoal as a part of my Fundraising Success for Help 4 Houndsfundraising project for the dog rescue Help 4 Hounds.
