Painting a portrait of your favorite dog in oil is a fascinating but not easy process that requires patience, attention to detail and certain skills. Nevertheless, with the right approach, the result can become a wonderful interior decoration and a memorable gift for the whole family.
Let’s start with the choice of materials. For oil painting it is desirable to use high-quality artistic oil paints of well-known brands such as Winsor & Newton, Rembrandt, Old Holland, Gamblin or Williamsburg. Their rich palette of shades will allow you to accurately convey all the nuances of the dog’s coloring.
It is best to choose medium to high quality linen canvas from Fredrix, Trekell, Phoenix or Mastertouch for the base. It will provide good adhesion to oil paints and durability of the finished work.
To apply the colors you will need bristle brushes of different sizes – flat, filbert, round brushes from Winsor & Newton, da Vinci or Robert Simmons. It is also recommended to use mastichins to create textured strokes imitating wool.
Before you begin, make a pencil sketch on paper, thinking about the composition and positioning of the dog. Then transfer the sketch to canvas and draw the basic shapes. Start by underpainting the general spots of color, gradually detailing and working out the small elements – hair, eyes, nose and other features inherent in your pet.
This process may seem long and time-consuming. If you doubt your abilities or want to get the highest quality portrait, preserving precious memories of your pet, the best solution is to order from professional artists. Photolamus Studio specializes in creating oil portraits of dogs from photographs. Experienced masters will carefully study the features of your pet and create a real work of art, worthy to decorate your interior.
Regardless of the path you choose, an oil portrait of your dog will not only be a beautiful painting, but also a warm reminder of a loyal four-legged friend. The canvas will capture the expressive gaze, playful nature and all the love you shared with your pet.
