Framed pet portrait of three dogs on modern home wall

Multiple pet portrait from separate photos - Rocky, Dutch & Jessie

Getting three dogs to sit nicely for one photograph isn't always going to happen.

James had favourite photos of Rocky, Dutch and Jessie, but not one of all three together. So I used three separate photographs - one of each dog - to bring them together in a single hand-drawn multiple pet portrait.

Created using coloured pencil and wax crayon, the finished A3 portrait keeps each dog recognisable while making the three feel like they belonged together all along.

Portrait: Three-dog / multiple pet portrait

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Pets: Rocky, Dutch & Jessie

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Breeds: Beagle, German Shorthaired Pointer & Springer Labrador Cross

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Medium: Coloured pencil & wax crayon

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Size: A3

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Commissioned by: James, County Durham, UK

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Created from: Three separate photographs

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Portrait: Three-dog / multiple pet portrait ★ Pets: Rocky, Dutch & Jessie ★ Breeds: Beagle, German Shorthaired Pointer & Springer Labrador Cross ★ Medium: Coloured pencil & wax crayon ★ Size: A3 ★ Commissioned by: James, County Durham, UK ★ Created from: Three separate photographs ★

Commission Your Own Portrait

One home, three dogs, one portrait

Rocky, Dutch and Jessie all share the same home, but they're three very different dogs.

Rocky is a Beagle, Dutch a German Shorthaired Pointer and Jessie a Springer Labrador Cross - each with their own look and expression.

James wanted one portrait that brought all three together, rather than three separate pieces. The only problem? There wasn't one favourite photograph with everyone looking their best at the same time.

Luckily, there didn't need to be.

Pet portrait reference photo of Rocky the beagle

Final pet portrait alongside reference photos of three dogs

Three photos, one portrait

Rocky, Dutch and Jessie were each drawn from a different photograph, with different poses, lighting and backgrounds.

Before drawing, I brought the three references together and adjusted their size and position so they would work naturally as one composition.

It means you don't need the perfect group photo for a multiple pet portrait - separate photographs can work just as well.

Got a few photos you're considering? Read my photo guide for a little help choosing.

Read the Photo Guide

Explore Dog Portraits

Close up detail of beagle portrait drawing

Three dog pet portrait in progress with reference photo

Close up detail of springer lab cross portrait drawing

Close up detail of German shorthaired pointer portrait drawing

Creating the portrait

With three separate photographs, the trick was making Rocky, Dutch and Jessie look like they'd always belonged together.

I adjusted the scale and position of each dog to create a balanced composition, while keeping their individual proportions and features recognisable.

Their coats needed different treatment too - from Rocky's Beagle markings and Dutch's roan coat to Jessie's darker fur - all built up by hand using coloured pencil and wax crayon.

Three very different dogs. One finished piece.

Customer holding framed hand drawn pet portrait of three dogs

Three dogs next to their custom pet portrait

The finished portrait

With Rocky, Dutch and Jessie finally together, three separate photographs became one finished A3 portrait.

James received a preview before the artwork was carefully packaged and delivered, ready for framing.

Three different photographs, three very different dogs, one finished portrait.

What James thought

★★★★★

“Fantastic drawing of my three dogs, the quality of the drawing is outstanding, the likeness is spot on and the service provided was excellent from start to finish. Highly recommend! Thank you so much Jonny.”

— James