Cockapoo Dog Portrait

This was a commission piece and what a gorgeous subject to work with. Cockapoos have the best faces — all curly fur and big soulful eyes.

I used pastels for this portrait which is my go-to medium for pet work. The soft blending you can get with pastels is perfect for that curly coat texture. I built up the fur in layers starting with the darker tones and gradually adding the lighter highlights.

Commission work is special because you know the finished piece is going to mean so much to the owner. Getting the likeness right is the most important thing and I always work from good reference photos to make sure every detail is spot on.