If you have a favorite photo of your dog or pet, that’s a great choice to use! It probably captures their personality perfectly and looks just like them.

The best photo or photos are high resolution, clear, and taken at eye level.

The higher the quality of your reference photo, the more details I can capture in your portrait, giving you a stunning likeness.

If you’re uncertain about whether your photo is a bit too dark or blurry, or if you have a few options to pick from, I’d be more than happy to advise you.

Some Helpful Tips

• To get the best shots of your dog, try snapping the photo at their eye level and from a short distance. This way, you’ll capture their true shape and likeness without any distortions. When you take pictures of dogs from above, it can make their nose look oversized and their legs a bit too small.

• No need to worry about the ‘red-eye’; I can easily fix that when I paint your portrait. Bright sunlight or shadows? I can usually adjust those too!

• If your dog’s coat looks different colors depending on the lighting, it would be great if you could take a few photos to capture those variations. Alternatively, just let me know which photo you’d like me to use for the most accurate color representation.

• Have fun trying out different lighting angles to discover what brings out the best in your subject’s coloring.

• If you’re capturing a portrait with multiple subjects, feel free to use separate photos! Just make sure the lighting is similar—like taking both shots indoors or outdoors.

• A three-quarter view of the head often makes for a more interesting look than a straight-on view, but it really comes down to personal taste. Plus, your subject doesn’t always have to gaze directly at the viewer. Exploring different angles can add a unique and delightful touch to your portrait.

• You can totally change or remove backgrounds, and a simple head-and-shoulders portrait usually looks fantastic with a plain background!

Feel free to send me a few images if you’re not sure which one would work best for your portrait, and I’d be happy to help you pick!

Choosing the perfect reference photo is super important! It helps capture the true essence of the subject and gives me all the details I need to get that likeness just right.

Choosing the Size and Medium

Choosing a medium really comes down to what you love! Personally, I think dogs look absolutely stunning when painted in oils or pastel.

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