Working Cocker Spaniel portrait – Star's story
Star's portrait was commissioned by her owner Neil in County Durham, using a simple mobile phone screenshot as the starting point.
The photograph didn't need to be professionally taken. What mattered was that Neil recognised the look as Star, giving me a reference I could use to create an original Working Cocker Spaniel portrait that felt immediately familiar to the family.
The finished Working Cocker portrait was created entirely by hand using coloured pencil and wax crayon.
Portrait Summary
Breed: Working Cocker Spaniel Medium: Coloured pencil & wax crayon Portrait size: A5 Commissioned by: Neil, County Durham, UK Created from: Mobile phone screenshot
A Working Cocker Spaniel portrait of Star
Neil commissioned the portrait of his Working Cocker Spaniel, Star, as an original piece of artwork for the family.
One of the things I ask when someone commissions a portrait is what they recognise most about their dog. The reference photograph is important, but understanding which expression or features feel most familiar can be just as useful when I'm drawing.
That became an important part of Star's portrait.
Neil later mentioned in his review that he appreciated being asked questions about Star before I started. For me, those conversations help establish what needs to feel right in the finished drawing rather than simply reproducing every detail visible in a photograph.
Created from a mobile phone photograph
You don't necessarily need a professional photograph to commission a hand-drawn dog portrait.
The reference for Star was a mobile phone screenshot. It wasn't a carefully staged portrait photograph, but it showed the head position, eyes and expression Neil associated with her.
I used those details as the foundation of the drawing, building the darker coat with layers of black, brown and grey while keeping areas of the paper visible rather than trying to create a completely filled-in or photographic finish.
The result is recognisably Star while retaining the loose marks and visible texture that are part of my drawing style.
Not sure whether your photograph will work?
I'll happily help you choose the best photo before you order.
Drawing Star's familiar expression
Star's dark chocolate coat meant much of the Working Cocker Spaniel drawing depended on subtle changes in tone rather than strong changes in colour.
I used layered blacks, browns and softer greys through the face and ears, with lighter marks around the muzzle and eyes helping define the features without losing the looseness of the drawing.
Her slight head tilt was particularly important. Combined with the eyes and long ears, it gives the finished portrait the familiar expression seen in Neil's photograph.
See Star's portrait come together
From the first marks through to the finished drawing, the process gradually builds Star's familiar features using layers of coloured pencil and wax crayon.
Watch the time-lapse to see the Working Cocker Spaniel portrait take shape.
A portrait made to live with
Once complete, Star's portrait became an original piece of artwork that could be framed and displayed at home.
Seeing the finished portrait alongside Star is always the best test. The drawing doesn't need to reproduce every hair in a photograph; it needs to contain the features and expression that make the dog immediately recognisable to the people who know them.
Neil's reaction to Star's finished portrait is exactly what I'm aiming for with every commission.
You can read more about my approach in what makes a good pet portrait?
You can also explore more dog portraits from photos to see how different breeds, expressions and reference images influence the finished artwork.
Customer review
★★★★★
“We couldn’t believe the likeness and how he captured the character and nature of our dog Star. She loves it and so do the kids who want another one now so they can have one each in their bedrooms!
Dealing directly with the artist added to the experience and I loved the way he asked so many questions about our dog so in his words could capture her nature better. Great service would highly recommend.”
Every hand-drawn portrait includes regular communication throughout the commission before being carefully packaged and sent by tracked delivery.
You can also read more customer reviews from owners across the UK.
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Rocky, Dutch & Jessie - Multi pet portrait
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Have a favourite photograph of your dog?
It doesn't need to have been taken by a professional.
If you have a photograph where your dog simply looks like themselves, send it over. I'll let you know whether it will work for a portrait and can help you choose between several photographs if you're unsure.
Every portrait is drawn by hand from your photographs using coloured pencil and wax crayon on textured watercolour paper, whether I'm creating a Working Cocker Spaniel portrait like Star or an entirely different breed.
Hand-drawn in the UK
Created from your favourite photographs
Ideal as a thoughtful gift
Carefully packaged with tracked delivery