This is “Martha,” roughly 27 x 16” using mostly oil based colored pencils on 4 ply rag mat board. The photo references are mine and the dog is my grand puppy.
Of course, it helps to know your subject well. Martha is a hound mix, with all that comes with a big dog who is driven by smell and independence. She is loving and kind in her own understated way. She can be naughty if she doesn’t run. Her bark is deep and menacing, but I have never seen her show teeth. She is all dog.
The photo references I used for this portrait highlighted her healthy coat and well defined musculature. The shadow on her face, with her expression and ear placement said all I wished to say. There was no need to add background detail.
in order for me to emphasize the beauty of Martha’s lines, I was careful to use a light touch with my pencils, allowing the support to show through for the brightest areas. The oil based pencils require no sealant so were perfect for leaving an open background.