Poodle

Another commission piece and poodles are brilliant subjects. That curly coat gives you so much texture to work with in pastels.

I built this portrait up gradually working from the eyes outward. With poodles the expression is everything — they have such intelligent alert faces. The curly fur was done with lots of small circular strokes in pastel pencil layered over softer pan pastel base tones.

I really enjoyed this one. The owner was thrilled with the result which is always the best feeling with commission work.