The hardest part is getting the right photograph. I know how difficult it is to take the perfect photograph of your loved one. As you know pets do not sit still for long enough. But here are a few tips to help with the reference photograph that I will need to create your special portrait.
The DO’s
I will need a good quality close up photograph. Remember the better the photograph the more details I will be able to pick up in the drawing which makes my portraits more photorealistic.
Take pictures in natural light and if the sun is shining in the house or outside, then make sure the sun is behind the photographer. This makes sure that the eyes are captured with full essence and the skin/fur tones are realistic as possible.
For pets only, if you don’t want the collar, bridle etc to be drawn on the portrait, slip it around their neck or take it off as it is very hard to do some “guess work” as to what lies beneath.
The DON’T’s
I have created a photo guide below that can be adapted to both graphite portraits and pet portraiture so that you are able to see what reference photographs are unacceptable to draw from.
