A portrait of a lifetime - Zeus

When Simon asked me to recreate a cherished memory of their beloved dog, Zeus, I knew it was going to be a meaningful piece. The reference photo, taken when Zeus was a pup after winning a local dog show, captured a moment the family holds dear. As Zeus grows older and the family’s story continues, it was a privilege to create a portrait that celebrates this bond—one that can be treasured for years to come.

Artistic Process

Creating Zeus’s custom portrait was an enjoyable and meaningful experience. Every step focused on capturing his essence and personality. Recreating the layers of his fur was a highlight of the process, carefully mapping the flow and texture to achieve a soft yet realistic finish. To keep the attention on Zeus, the background and collar were intentionally left out, drawing focus to his expressive features. This personalised pet portrait aimed to bring out the heart of Zeus’s character, making it a unique and special piece of bespoke artwork.

Materials and Details

This pet portrait was crafted with:

  • Graphite pencils, including Faber-Castell Pitt Graphite Matte for rich, smooth tones.

  • Arches 300gsm hot press paper, chosen for its smooth, high-quality surface.

Dimensions: A4 (21 x 29.7 cm).

Features detailed textures, from the flow of the fur to subtle reflections in the eyes, bringing out the life and warmth in this personalised dog portrait.

Favourite Details

Bringing Zeus’s eyes to life was especially rewarding. The soft glint in his rich brown irises added an emotional depth to the portrait, making it feel lifelike and personal. The intricate layers of fur were another highlight—each stroke working together to create texture and dimension that reflect his unique character

A Glimpse Into My Process

n this video, you’ll watch as I work on a custom pet portrait of Zeus, carefully applying base layers under his eye to build depth and detail. I focus on accentuating the prominent shadows in his ears and nose, enhancing the lifelike quality of this personalised pet portrait. Using a mechanical eraser, I lift graphite to create subtle highlights and further define the textures in his fur, adding dimension to the pencil drawing. Each step brings Zeus’s personality to life, ensuring the bespoke artwork truly captures the essence of this beloved pet. This pet portrait is more than just a drawing—it’s a personal tribute to Zeus.

Outline drawing of Zeus’s custom pet portrait, showcasing the starting point of this personalised, photo-realistic pencil drawing.
Base layer shading applied to the left-hand side of Zeus’s bespoke pet portrait, laying the foundation for lifelike detail.
Progress stage of the pencil drawing with darker layers added to the left-hand side and top right-hand side, including Zeus’s ears, for added depth.
Detailed work on Zeus’s right eye in this custom pet portrait, enhancing the photo-realistic quality of this bespoke artwork.
Additional shading and detail added around Zeus’s nose and mouth, showcasing the lifelike precision of this personalised pencil drawing.
Second layer of shading complete on Zeus’s pet portrait, focusing on darkening the darks and lightening the lights to create depth and realism.
Final piece of Zeus’s custom pet portrait, with rich brown pencil rendering the eyes, completing this stunning photo-realistic artwork.
IMG_9575.jpeg
Zeus standing proudly next to his custom pet portrait in its frame. This bespoke, photo-realistic pencil drawing captures every detail of Zeus’s personality, showcasing the lifelike precision and artistry behind this personalised portrait. Perfectly

Simon & Helen

“I commissioned Dan to recreate a picture, taken a long time ago when my dog was just a pup and won a local dog show. Zeus is getting older now and our family is growing more and more. Dan has now created a piece of art that will be part of our family and will be for generations. Zeus will never be forgotten, i hope for generations to come.’’

Inspired to capture your own cherished moment? Let’s create something special together.