From Photo to Portrait, The Poochini Way

Every portrait starts with a photograph, but it’s never about copying it exactly. It’s more of a starting point… a way in.

When I’m looking through the images I’m sent, I’m not just searching for the sharpest or most “perfect” photo. I’m looking for something that feels like them. A moment that feels natural, a bit unguarded… where their personality is already quietly there.

Sometimes it jumps out straight away.

Other times it’s something smaller… the way they’re sitting, the tilt of their head, or just a certain softness in their expression.

And occasionally… it’s the one where they look slightly unhinged, but in a very lovable, very them kind of way.

Finding the image that feels right… the one that not only captures them, but will translate naturally into the final piece.

Alongside the photos, I also read through the details shared in the commission form, and honestly, that part is just as important.

The little things people include… how their dog behaves, what they’re like at home, the small quirks and habits… it all helps build a fuller picture. It gives me something to work from beyond just the image.

Sometimes it’s beautifully worded and quite poetic.

Sometimes it’s more along the lines of “will do absolutely anything for cheese”

Both are equally helpful.

Depending on the portrait style they’ve chosen, there’s also room to have a bit more fun with it. Some pieces stay very simple and pared back, while others open things up… a pop of colour, a favourite collar, a slightly questionable accessory choice, or a setting that adds a bit more personality.

It’s never about adding more for the sake of it, but about including just enough to reflect who they are. Every dog has their own personality, and I want that to shine through in a way that feels true to them.

Once I’ve chosen the reference, everything slows down a bit.

Usually a pair of whippets accompany me in my studio while I’m working, loosely supervising the process and making sure everything is running to their standards… comfortable seating arrangements and the occasional squabble over who gets my favourite chair.

I usually begin with line work, just mapping things out and getting a feel for the shape and structure. It’s not about getting everything perfect straight away… it’s more about finding the right balance, composition and letting it settle.

Beginning with line, finding the structure, and letting the portrait emerge.

From there I start to build it up gradually, adding tone, colour and texture in layers.

At that point, I’m not really “copying” the photo anymore.

I’m responding to it… simplifying some areas, bringing focus into others, and sometimes leaving things out entirely if they don’t feel necessary. It becomes less about detail, and more about how everything sits together.

There’s always a moment where it clicks.

Not just visually, but in the overall feeling of it… the presence, the balance, the expression. That’s usually the point where I know it’s really coming together.

The finished piece is still rooted in that original photograph, but it’s been reworked, shaped and stylised into something more considered and full of life.

Something that feels like them, rather than just looking like them.

Even if they are, at heart, a slightly chaotic little creature with very strong opinions about snacks; There’s something quite special about seeing them translated in this way… taking a moment you already love and turning it into something you can treasure.

If you’re thinking about a portrait, you can explore the different styles here.