Black Cocker Spaniel portrait - Tilly's story
Tilly came my way after her owner, Jasmin, won a pet portrait competition I ran with The Dales Dog Deli.
And with a Black Cocker Spaniel this photogenic, there wasn't exactly a shortage of reference material.
Rather than choosing just one favourite, I used several photographs to bring together Tilly's gentle eyes, flowing ears and familiar expression in one original hand-drawn portrait.
Breed: Black Cocker Spaniel
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Medium: Coloured pencil & wax crayon
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Size: A5
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Commissioned for: Jasmin, Wales, UK
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Created from: Several favourite photographs
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Commission: Competition prize
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Breed: Black Cocker Spaniel ★ Medium: Coloured pencil & wax crayon ★ Size: A5 ★ Commissioned for: Jasmin, Wales, UK ★ Created from: Several favourite photographs ★ Commission: Competition prize ★
A very lucky Cocker Spaniel
Tilly's portrait started with a competition I ran with The Dales Dog Deli - and her owner, Jasmin, was the lucky winner.
As one of the Cheeky Spaniels, Tilly had some competition of her own, but she was the one chosen for the portrait.
And once Tilly had been picked, there was another decision to make. With plenty of great photographs to choose from, which one should I draw?
As it turned out, we didn't have to choose just one.
Three photos, one Tilly
Choosing one photograph turned out not to be necessary.
Each of Jasmin's favourites had something useful - one captured Tilly's gentle eyes, another showed her flowing ears, and another had the familiar expression we wanted in the finished portrait.
I brought those details together to create one Black Cocker Spaniel portrait that still looked unmistakably like Tilly.
Got several favourites of your own? My photo guide explains what makes a useful reference, and I'm always happy to help you choose.
Creating the portrait
Drawing a Black Cocker Spaniel isn't quite as simple as reaching for the black pencil.
Tilly's coat is full of softer greys, highlights and subtle changes in tone, so I built these up gradually using coloured pencil and wax crayon.
I paid particular attention to her eyes, flowing ears and the soft greying around her muzzle - the details that make Tilly look like Tilly.
The finished portrait
Once Tilly's A5 portrait was finished, Jasmin received a preview before it was carefully packaged and sent to its new home in Wales.
And then came the comparison that really matters - Tilly sitting beside her finished portrait.
Three reference photos, one finished drawing, and very definitely the same Cocker Spaniel.
From studio to home
Winning the competition meant receiving a completely original piece of artwork created especially for Tilly.
Seeing the finished portrait displayed at home, alongside photographs of Tilly herself, is always the final and most rewarding part of the process.
More portrait stories
One Cocker Spaniel down, plenty more stories to explore. Here are some very different commissions.
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Dudley
Memorial Parson Russell Portrait
Dudley's portrait shows that a photo doesn't need to be perfect to become meaningful artwork.
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Maverick
Cockapoo puppy portrait
Created from a garden photo, Maverick's portrait celebrates a first puppy with hand-drawn artwork.
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Rocky, Dutch & Jessie
Multiple pet portrait
From 3 photos, this multi pet portrait brings Rocky, Dutch & Jessie together in one composition.
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Mabel's Dream Boxer Dog
Dream Boxer dog portrait
A surprise gift that brought the Boxer she'd always dreamed of having a little closer to home.
Got too many favourite photos?
Good news - you might not have to choose between them.
If different photographs capture different things you love about your pet, I can use them together to create one original, hand-drawn portrait that still looks unmistakably like them.
Multiple reference photos welcome
Drawn entirely by hand
Preview before delivery