How to Capture Your Pet’s Personality in Paintings
Capturing a pet’s unique personality is an art all its own. It’s about more than just replicating their features—it’s about conveying their quirks, emotions, and the connection they share with you. As an expressive realism artist, I love working with pet portraits, and I’ve developed a process that helps bring these traits to life in every piece. Let’s explore how you can paint not just a likeness, but the very essence of your pet.
1. Observe Your Pet’s Unique Traits
The first step in any pet portrait is observation. If your pet is still with you, spend time watching how they move, their favourite expressions, and those little quirks that make them special. Maybe your dog has that adorable head tilt when curious, or your cat lounges in a regal pose, surveying their kingdom. These are the moments you’ll want to capture in your painting.
If you’re working from a photo—especially for a memorial piece—study it closely. Look beyond just the features and focus on the details that made them unique. Their favourite resting position, a signature expression, or a distinct marking can help bring their spirit to life on canvas. If you have multiple photos, use them to build a fuller picture of their personality.
Penny’s Observation Tip: Try sketching these moments in a notebook or jot down descriptions. A simple note like 'head tilt when curious' or 'paw draped over the bed when relaxed' can be a great reference when you start painting. Observing is just as much about feeling their personality as it is about noticing details!
2. Capture the Best Reference Photo
A strong reference photo is the foundation of a great pet portrait. When taking photos, aim for sharpness, clarity, and natural lighting to ensure you can see the details that will bring your painting to life.
Lighting: Soft, natural light is best. Avoid harsh shadows or artificial lighting that can distort colours and features. Outdoor light or a spot near a window works well.
Distance & Composition: Get close enough to capture fine details like fur texture and eye expression. A head-and-shoulders shot is ideal for portraits, ensuring distinguishing features, markings, or scars are visible.
Expression & Personality: Aim to capture your pet in a natural, relaxed state. Playful pets shine in action shots, while a calm pose might better reflect a serene personality. Avoid distractions and let their unique charm be the focus.
Taking the time to capture the right reference photo will make the painting process much smoother and more enjoyable.
3. Outlining with Confidence
Once you have the reference photo, it’s time to create your outline. I always grid or trace a photo or a sketch I’ve done elsewhere for accuracy. A pet portrait is not the time for testing out your drawing skills—my focus is on painting for personality, not drawing. Keep your outlines loose and expressive rather than rigid and over-detailed. My goal is always to capture the pet’s energy and character rather than getting caught up in details. Precision is important when it comes to placement of facial features and unique markings, however details are not!
Penny’s Outlining Tip: Hold the brush at the end of the handle to keep your strokes light and fluid. This prevents overworking and helps maintain a sense of movement and life in the outline. At this stage, you’re laying a framework, not filling in every detail!
4. The Value of Value
Understanding value is key to creating depth and realism in a painting. One of the modules in my upcoming Expressive Pet Portraits Course is dedicated to this concept. Value refers to how light or dark a colour appears, and getting it right can make or break your composition.
A value study completed as an underpainting is optional, but if you don’t do it there, you should complete one separately in a sketchbook. Value studies are not optional if you want to truly understand what’s going on in a composition. The more complex the composition, the more vital it is to complete this before laying down paint.
If you’re new to value studies, turning your reference photo black and white can help train your eye to see values clearly. With practice, you’ll develop a stronger sense of contrast and depth, leading to more compelling paintings.
5. Toning Your Panel or Canvas with a Ground
Before painting, I apply a ground—something in the mid-value range and opposite to the main composition. This could be a complementary colour on the colour wheel, or simply a colour that won’t be used much in the final painting. Applying a thin, transparent layer allows it to dry quickly so you can move on to the next stage without delay.
Penny’s Grounding Tip: A well-chosen ground unifies the painting and subtly influences the final layers. Keeping it thin ensures flexibility as you build up colour and form.
6. Block in the Key Details
With the foundation set, I block in the main shapes, working from dark to light. Layering is essential for depth, especially when highlighting a pet’s distinctive features. I use a limited palette: Phthalo Blue (PB15.3), Quinacridone Magenta (PR122), Arylamide Yellow Light or Yellow Mid (PY74), and Titanium White. This allows for a vibrant range of hues while maintaining colour harmony. One of the modules in my upcoming Expressive Pet Portrait Course will focus on intuitive colour mixing, teaching you how to mix colours expressively while keeping them vibrant and intentional.
Penny’s Layering Tip: For unique markings, build up layers slowly, adjusting values as you go. Rather than outlining each detail precisely, use loose, expressive strokes to keep the portrait soft yet recognisable.
7. Create an Expressive Background
The background is where I really let loose! Bold, energetic brushstrokes suggest movement and personality. Negative painting techniques refine the pet’s edges, ensuring they stand out. Allowing parts of the toned ground to show through is optional and can add extra depth.
New Layering Tip: Building up layers adds depth and expression. Lay down each brushstroke deliberately and leave it alone. Allow paint layers to dry to avoid muddiness—overworking can make a painting look messy. If a stroke is in the wrong place or wrong colour, remove it immediately with a damp brush, rag, or even your finger if the paint is wet. Be careful not to pull up any other wet paint.
8. Add Final Touches & Highlights
With the main elements complete, I refine details and add expressive highlights. These final touches bring energy and focus to the portrait. I let the piece rest for 24 hours before making any last refinements. Once satisfied, I finish with a varnish to protect the painting.
Penny’s Highlighting Tip: Use highlights sparingly but intentionally. A glimmer in the eye, a dab of light on the fur, or a soft shine on the nose can bring the painting to life. Place them strategically to enhance focus and realism.
Final Thoughts
Creating a pet portrait that captures personality is deeply rewarding. By observing your pet’s unique traits, choosing the right reference, and using expressive painting techniques, you can bring their spirit to life on canvas. Whether painting your own pet or working on a commission, remember—it’s the little quirks and emotions that make each portrait truly special.
Until next time, keep splashing colours! Penny 😊🎨✨
