Dream Boxer dog portrait - Mabel's story
Mabel has wanted a Boxer dog for years.
Her Dad, Tim, decided to surprise her with the next best thing - a hand-drawn portrait of the Boxer she'd love to call her own. There was just one small obstacle to the real thing: Mum still says no.
Working from a carefully chosen licence-free photograph, I created Mabel's dream Boxer using coloured pencil and wax crayon.
Hopefully it'll do the job until Mum changes her mind.
Breed: Boxer
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Medium: Coloured pencil & wax crayon
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Size: A5
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Commissioned by: Tim, Manchester, UK
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Created from: Licence-free reference photograph
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Occasion: Surprise gift
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Breed: Boxer ★ Medium: Coloured pencil & wax crayon ★ Size: A5 ★ Commissioned by: Tim, Manchester, UK ★ Created from: Licence-free reference photograph ★ Occasion: Surprise gift ★
Sometimes it's about the dream
Mabel has loved Boxer dogs for years and has been campaigning for one of her own for almost as long.
Her Dad, Tim, thought a portrait would make the perfect surprise - a chance to give Mabel her dream Boxer without technically bringing another member into the family.
Mum remains unconvinced by the real thing. Mabel, presumably, is still working on it.
Finding Mabel's Boxer
There wasn't a Boxer waiting to be drawn, so first we needed to find one.
Tim described the kind of dog Mabel had always imagined, and I chose a suitable licence-free reference photograph with the colouring, features and gentle expression he had in mind.
That photograph became the starting point for Mabel's very own - albeit imaginary - Boxer.
For portraits of your own pet, my photo guide explains what makes a good reference photograph.
Creating the portrait
With the reference chosen, I started building Mabel's Boxer by hand using coloured pencil and wax crayon.
I focused on the rich Boxer colouring, distinctive markings and those big, expressive eyes, keeping enough detail for the dog to feel believable while still giving the portrait my contemporary hand-drawn finish.
And luckily, I recorded this one from the first pencil marks to the finished portrait.
The finished portrait
Mabel might not have her Boxer just yet, but she does now have the portrait of the dog she'd always imagined.
The finished A5 artwork was framed and given to her as a surprise - and judging by the reaction, Dad chose pretty well.
For now, at least, it's probably the closest Mum is getting to a Boxer in the house.
What Tim thought
★★★★★
“Mabel couldn’t believe it when she opened the portrait. She’d wanted a Boxer for years and immediately said, ‘That’s exactly my dog!’
The drawing is beautifully done and has pride of place in our home. Until Mum finally agrees to a real Boxer, this is definitely the next best thing!”
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Give them something completely personal
Got someone who's impossible to buy for but very easy to identify by their love of animals?
A hand-drawn pet portrait makes a genuinely personal gift, created individually using coloured pencil and wax crayon.
And if their dream pet hasn't actually arrived yet? Well, Mabel proves we can sometimes work around that too.
Made for gifting
Drawn entirely by hand
Preview before delivery