How a Maine Coon pastel portrait is created.

**jopetportraits** · 8th April 2011, 09:13 AM

I thought I'd show you how I create one of my pet portraits. When I've been contacted to do a pet portrait for somebody I ask for a selection of photos to have a look at and advise which I think would work best for a portrait. Sometimes clients have a particular favourite photo and providing it's clear and detailed enough I'm happy to work from that. Occassionally I have to ask for better photos. A good close up of the pets face is needed to get the best results. The more detailed the photo the better. Remember I can only draw what I can see. If I have to 'make up and guess areas' then it strays further away from being your pet.

So this is Misty, a commission that I did last year. She's 16 years old and continues to be a favourite of mine. Not least because she is a Maine Coon but her colouring was an absolute joy to work with. I hope you enjoy this thread.

**jckkerrison** · 8th April 2011, 09:28 AM

What a wonderful gift you have to make someones pet become so alive for them,right from the first drawing you can see the depth & strength of the MC muzzle,that person must be so happy to have what will always be a wonderful memory of her pet,thanks for sharing ...x
Just had another look,those eyes are talking to you,what a beautiful colour.

**Helen & John** · 8th April 2011, 09:37 AM

Wow. I am in awe of your skills, drawing a straight line gives me problems!!!!

The eyes are amazing.

**Joolz** · 8th April 2011, 10:27 AM

That's absolutely beautiful, what an amazing gift you have

**WoodsideMaineCoons** · 8th April 2011, 10:28 AM

What an amazing picture and it is wonderful to see just how it goes from being a simple line drawing to a full on portrait.

Do you have any more like that you could share?

Louise

**jopetportraits** · 8th April 2011, 10:40 AM

Thank you everyone. I thought it would be nice to show you how it all progresses. When I do a portrait I email the progress pics to my clients so that they can see how their portrait is created. A few who have commissioned a portrait as a gift have printed the progress pics off and presented them with the finished portrait to the recipient so that they can see how the portrait was created.

Louise, I've not got anymore MC progress pics but have plenty of other pets(mainly dogs) if you want to see some of those.

**Chak78** · 8th April 2011, 10:42 AM

Stunning!

I feel you'll be a popular person in the next few weeks!

**Stacey** · 8th April 2011, 05:23 PM

Lovely painting

you've got a real talent there!! Do you paint all sorts of pets or mostly cats?

Dave draws a lot and keeps photoshopping pictures of Teddy now...I may add his most recent to the forum!

**jopetportraits** · 8th April 2011, 07:11 PM

Originally Posted by Stacey

Lovely painting

you've got a real talent there!! Do you paint all sorts of pets or mostly cats?

Dave draws a lot and keeps photoshopping pictures of Teddy now...I may add his most recent to the forum!

Thanks Stacey. To be honest I do mainly dogs. More dog owners seem to want a portrait memory/keepsake of thier pet than cat owners for some reason. I have done other pics including Classic cars.

**FreyjaRoMaine** · 8th April 2011, 08:05 PM

Stunning. That really is a gift you have there, and thank so much for sharing the process, it's fascinating how quickly the picture takes shape. Beautiful. How long would a picture like that typically take you?