Timber is my latest commissioned portrait, hand-drawn in pastel. As with all pet portraits, the most important thing was to capture Timber’s personality, and not just draw any Golden German Shepherd.
In the words of Timber’s family
‘It’s as if I could put my hands right in and fuss him like I always used to. Thank you, Tamsin, I can’t tell you how much comfort it brings to see him brought to life in this way. You have a very precious gift. Thank you for bringing him to life in a way that a photo never could. You bring so much joy to so many people with your art.’ Louise.
Capturing the character on the page
My client helped me to get to know him with stories of how he came to live with them as well as beautiful photos and videos. It made such a difference watching him move and play, seeing his character and his little ways.
Like so many rescues, Timber had not had an easy start in life, but boy did he land on his feet with his new family! He was adored, doted on, and they spent the longest time getting to know him and helping him with his reactivity and working through the challenges together.
Roaming Bodmin Moor
Living in North Cornwall, Timber discovered and fell in love with Bodmin moor. This soon became his very favourite place to walk. The scene his portrait is set in is a view across the moors that they know so well.
Pastel portrait
Drawing with pastel is a perfect way to render all that fur. With a coat as lush as Timber’s it is important to capture not only the many colours, but also the feel of the deep coat. I want you to feel like you could put your hands right into it and give him a big cuddle. He would have loved that!
I will often recommend pastel for pet and people portraits, though for some artworks pencil or coloured pencil may suit the subject better. It is a decision made on an individual basis, also led by the preferences of the client themselves.
Soft pastel on Pastelmat
I mostly use Pastelmat for my pastel paintings. I love how it allows me to work from dark to light and vice versa, layering and blending colours as I go. I employed three different brands of soft pastel pencils for this drawing. Derwent, Stabilo Carbothello and Conté. Each pastel range has slightly different colours and qualities, so I love mixing and matching between these to get the effects that I want.
These nine stages show the complexity of creating an artwork, and how the picture slowly grows on the page with details building and changing as I work. When drawing to commission I share each stage with the client so they can watch their portrait grow. I welcome feedback throughout as they know their loved one best, and I will always be guided by them. This collaboration makes for a symbiotic working relationship and the best possible portrait.
Pet portraits pastel
These dogs drawn in pastel show the versatility of this beautiful medium. We have Ivy the Pug tucked in her little hidey hole, the beaming Bonny Miss Bonnie, the great many curls of Mikey an apricot miniature Poodle, and the ever so handsome Bruno, an American Bulldog.
Portrait commissions are always welcomed from both UK based and international clients. On my Commissions page there is an overview of the process, and for a more in depth look at commissioning a fine art portrait, please read this guide.
For any questions you may have, or advice you may need, you can contact me here or call or WhatsApp on 07967 416072
