How to Begin a Pet Portrait in Acrylic

Start your pet portrait right: Essential steps to achieving realism with acrylic glazing

Creating a realistic pet portrait in acrylic is an exciting and rewarding artistic journey. So, I’ll walk you through the initial steps on how to begin a pet portrait in acrylic using the acrylic glazing technique, emphasizing smooth application, subtle tones, and layering. If you’ve ever wanted to create lifelike animal portraits, this guide will help you get started with the right foundation.

1. Choosing the Right Surface and Photo Reference

When starting a pet portrait, one of the first things to consider is the surface you’ll be painting on. While canvas is a popular choice, the artist in this tutorial uses masonite or hardboard, which offers a smoother texture than canvas. This type of surface allows for finer details that are crucial in realistic pet portraits.

Equally important is the photo reference. I emphasize the importance of having a high-quality photo, with good lighting and clear detail. The client provided a well-lit photo with natural light coming through a window, highlighting the dog’s fur, whiskers, and even reflections in the eyes.

Tip: Always choose a photo that shows a clear light source, as this will help you accurately capture the fur’s texture and the reflections in the eyes.

2. Creating a Detailed Sketch

Once you’ve selected your surface and photo, the next step is to create a detailed foundation sketch. Philleo uses a sepia-tone colored pencil to create the sketch, which matches the dog’s natural fur tones. This helps the sketch blend seamlessly into the painting later on.

The sketch should focus on the primary features of the pet, including the eyes, nose, and fur pattern. These initial lines will act as guides when applying the first layers of paint.

Technique Tip: Keep your sketch light and detailed, and ensure that the proportion of the features is accurate. A well-executed sketch sets the stage for a successful painting.

3. Sealing the Sketch with Glazing Medium

After completing the sketch, it’s important to seal the drawing to protect it from being disturbed by the first layers of paint. I use a clear glazing medium—a flat, matte medium that acts as a transparent sealant. By sealing the sketch, you prevent the brush strokes from smudging or obliterating the pencil lines, keeping your initial work intact.

Tip: Always allow the glazing medium to dry completely before starting the painting process. This ensures the sketch remains untouched.

4. Applying the Background Colors

When it comes to painting, I start by focusing on the background, which helps create contrast between the pet and its surroundings. In this example, I opt in for a dark gray background. I chose this because it not only contrasts well with the dog’s golden fur but also adds depth to the painting.

I mix ultramarine blue with burnt sienna to create a muted gray tone, which forms the base layer. Using cross-directional strokes, and then ensuring an even application, keeping the background smooth yet textured.

Technique Tip: By mixing contrasting colors like blue and brown, you can create a neutral, subdued background that doesn’t compete with the subject.

5. Building Up Layers with Glazes

Once the background is complete, the next step is to begin painting the pet itself using the glazing technique. Glazing involves applying thin, translucent layers of color over a dry base layer. This method allows for greater depth and richness in the painting, creating realistic shadows and highlights.

I start with a raw umber dark and burnt sienna mixture to capture the dog’s mid-tone fur. Because the light source in the reference photo comes from the upper left, it then carefully preserves the lighter areas of the fur, particularly around the eyes and face, where light naturally hits.

The glazes are applied gradually, starting with the darker tones. At this stage, the painting remains translucent, allowing the sketch underneath to remain visible. This gives the artist flexibility in refining the painting as more layers are added.

Tip: Use small, controlled brushstrokes to build up texture in the fur, especially around detailed areas like the eyes and snout. With glazing, it’s better to start light and gradually add darker tones for more control.

6. Capturing Light and Shadow

An essential aspect of any realistic portrait is understanding how light and shadow play across the subject. In this dog portrait, I also emphasize the contrast between light and dark areas, particularly around the face and fur.

By preserving the highlights where light hits the fur, and gradually building up the shadows with darker glazes, you create a sense of depth and form. I use a cooler tone in the shadows (mixing more ultramarine blue into the brown), which balances the warmth of the highlights.

Technique Tip: Always pay attention to where the light is coming from in your reference photo, and ensure that the shadows and highlights in your painting match that light source.

7. Maintaining the Sketch’s Detail

As the painting progresses, it’s important not to lose the fine details from the original sketch. I mentioned that the smooth surface of the hardboard helps retain the pencil marks, allowing the initial sketch to serve as a guide throughout the process.

Even as you begin to apply layers of glaze, keeping the sketch’s detail visible ensures that you can adjust the painting as needed.

Tip: Regularly step back from your painting to ensure you maintain the proportions and details established in the sketch. This prevents overworking any section.

The Value of Patience

One of the key takeaways from this tutorial is the importance of patience in building up a pet portrait. The initial stages may feel slow, but they set the foundation for a detailed and lifelike final piece. I stress the need to take your time, especially when layering glazes, as this gradual approach will lead to a more realistic and satisfying portrait.

In conclusion, starting a pet portrait in acrylic requires careful planning, from choosing the right surface and photo reference to applying glazes that bring depth and realism. By following these techniques and tips, you’ll be well on your way to creating beautiful, lifelike portraits that capture the essence of your subject.

Beginning a Pet Portrait in Acrylic

LEARN MORE

• How to Paint Foliage Using the Acrylic Glazing Technique
• How to Trace for an Accurate Portrait Sketch
• How to Paint Realistic Eyes in Your Acrylic Portrait
• How to Add Raw Umber Dark & Ultramarine Blue to Your Portrait
• How to Make Your Own Raw Umber Dark
• How to Paint Realistic Trees & Grass in Your Acrylic
• How to Block In Skin Tone Values Using Glazing Technique
• How to Paint Vibrant Reds in Your Acrylic Portrait
• How to Glaze Background Colors & More Acrylic Portrait
• How to Paint White Clothing in Your Acrylic Portrait
• How to Easily Transition from a Sketch to a Painting
• How to Block In Shading & Skin Tones in Your Acrylic
• How to Build Up Color on Acrylic Pet Portrait
• How to Build Up Form on Clothing with Acrylic
• How to Paint Dark Clothing Using Acrylic Glazing Technique
• How to Paint a 24 x 30 Acrylic With 30 People
• How to Do Smooth Shading with Acrylic
• How to Sketch an Acrylic Portrait with a Grid

Read more about how to paint a portrait that you can surely be proud of!

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Thank you so much for taking the time to read this tutorial and watch the video. That means a lot to me.  I hope you find it very helpful in your portrait painting.  

 

Yours for Better Portraits,

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