Inside My Process for Realistic Style Portraits

A deeper dive into how each portrait is made.

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Define

Step 1

Using the photos you send as reference(s), I'll sketch out your pet's glorious features onto an outline layer, noting shadows and areas of dark fur. I'll reference this layer throughout my painting process to make sure my placement is on track. Typically starting with the eyes and nose, I begin to draw/paint, adding vibrant color to my empty "canvas". Using the airbrush, flat brush, and technical pen in procreate, the digital pet portrait begins to take shape.

Form

Step 2

Next, I airbrush in your pet's luxurious coat- light areas, dark areas, and shadows- layering in colors that are true to fur coat based on the photographs you include. All sorts of colors in tiny places are needed in this stage, you'll notice a spectrum when you take a closer look at your artwork. The dimension of the piece noticeably begins to take form as I transition areas of light into dark and vice versa.

Refine

Step 3

Finally, using the technical pen, twig brush and other textured brushes, I'm able to add in the tiny details that comprise the individual fur texture. Keeping my brush strokes in line with the direction of the fur is key to creating a realistic result here. My favorite part, the whiskers and areas of extra long fur typically wrap up the piece before I add my signature. Nearly 10 hours of hard work later and I'm sending over to you for approval for printing.