Creating a Portrait of Your Dog with Sarah
Photo Credit: Painted Paw Studio
Do you want a painting or drawing of your pooch? Sarah shares her process of producing the perfect picture.
I hate to admit it, but I am one of those dog owners who has my pup’s image on almost everything in my house. There are framed photos of Ricky, a mug with his picture and a painting of him hanging by my front door. Yes, I love my dog! It might sound crazy to some, but I know I’m not alone.
Sarah, the owner and founder of Painted Paw Studio, is also a dog lover. She has a passion for animals and incorporated this into her business when she saw the impact her work had on clients. I spoke to Sarah about her studio and the amazing pieces of art she creates.
How did you get started doing dog portraits?
I've created art for as long as I can remember. I've also been a crazy animal lover for as long as I can remember! Growing up, I thought I'd be a veterinarian. It wasn't until a little later in life that I realized I could combine those loves into the profession of pet portraiture. It's been 3 years since I launched into this niche full time, and I absolutely love it!
What kind of tools do you use?
It depends on the project. When I'm working on a portrait drawing, I use Bristol paper, a high-quality heavy weight option, as the foundation. My drawing tools include mechanical pencils (any brand will do!) and Sharpies in ultra-fine and fine point tips. When I'm painting, I switch between watercolors on paper and acrylics on canvas, according to client preference. I love Windsor and Newton brand watercolors on Arches 140 lb watercolor paper- a winning combo! For acrylics, the brands I use most often are Liquitex and SoHo acrylics. With both mediums, my first step is to sketch the image onto the surface in pencil. I love a mechanical pencil for this, as it saves me from stopping to manually sharpen a pencil in order to maintain a fine point.
Photo Credit: Painted Paw Studio
What kind of canvases do you use?
I use the standard size, premade canvases available at my local art store. Some artists assemble their own, but I prefer to use as much of my time for painting as possible! Also, the standard sizes (such as 8" x 10", 12" x 16", etc.) fit pre-made frames. This makes framing much more affordable than if custom framing is required.
What is your process for doing a dog portrait?
To start, I work with the client to select the best reference photograph. An ideal one is well lit, non-blurry and taken from the pet's eye level to decrease any size and perspective distortion. We also discuss preference in background colors. Next, I sketch the pet out using a pencil- gotta have the option to erase and rework areas before laying paint down! Then, I work in layers with paint. I find the richest and most vibrant colors come from layering paints. Most often each painting has 3 layers to it. I start by blocking in large areas with color and save the details till the end. I think painting the eyes and nose are my favorite parts, so I save the best for last. The final step is to apply a protective finish. This is clear coat of varnish provides protection from light damage over the years as well as preventing yellowing as the paint ages. And voila- we've got a finished portrait!
Photo Credit: Painted Paw Studio
Do your clients ever share any funny stories of their dog with you?
I love when clients share funny memories of their pets. While working on a portrait of a greyhound, the owner shared that although the breed is very athletic, they're terrible swimmers. She noted that once her pup fell in a swimming pool; since the dog was unable to swim, the client had to jump in with all her clothes on and deadlift this huge dog out of the pool. Now every time I see a greyhound, I wonder if they can swim and think about this story!
How do clients respond when they receive the finished product?
Oh, this is the best part! Many just gush with joy. Sometimes there are bittersweet tears, if it's a memorial portrait. Recently I painted a pup named Shelby and her mom said "The detail is amazing. You really captured her sweet smile. I look at it every day and love it." ...that type of reaction makes my day!
Photo Credit: Painted Paw Studio
Tell us about your art classes.
I teach Paint Your Own Pet classes to empower YOU to be the artist. Often, adults don't have many creative outlets. Yet, creativity is so beneficial to mental health and happiness! I love welcoming participants who do not have painting experience and guiding them through the steps. I start class with each person's pet already sketched onto their canvas. This provides a template to paint on and reduces anxiety about having to draw it out themselves. During the two-hour class we talk through what brushes to use, how to mix colors and other basic painting techniques. It's so rewarding to see everyone express their own unique style and leave with a painting of their beloved fur baby! To see my class schedule, please visit paintedpawstudio.com.
Where can people contact you to get their dog painted or sketched?
Everything is at Painted Paw Studio! Go to paintedpawstudio.com and follow us on Facebook & Instragram. You can also contact me at paintedpawstudios@gmail.com. I'd love to paint your pet!
Photo Credit: Painted Paw Studio
For those wanting to create their own dog portrait, Sarah shares some tips:
1. Get a little guidance: I regularly teach a Paint Your Own Pet class that covers the basics - join me! Or, if you're not in the Nashville area, do a YouTube search and watch tutorials before you get started.
2. Use the right supplies: Visit your local art supply store (Jerry's Artorama is my Nashville favorite!) and let them help you select the fundamental materials that will set you up for success.
3. Work from a good reference photo: A well-lit, high-resolution photo will yield noticeably better results than a poor-quality option.
4. Have patience with yourself: Think Malcolm Gladwell's 10,000 hours approach - everything takes time to master!
5. Practice makes perfect :)
Thank you Sarah for all the great information. You are such a great artist and I love your portraits. I don’t know if one painting of Ricky is enough, so I’m sure I’ll be in contact with you soon, haha!
You can contact Sarah@: