100% Hand Drawn by Artist Robert Shirt— No AI or Digital Filters
There’s something truly special about bringing a beloved pet to life on paper. In this post, I’ll take you behind the scenes of my latest black dog portrait, drawn with Prismacolor and Derwent Lightfast colored pencils on premium Stonehenge paper—a surface known for its exceptional quality and ability to handle multiple layers.
Every portrait begins with a precise sketch. For this black dog, I focused on capturing the proportions and expression accurately before adding color. Once the outline was complete, the real magic began:
I started by blocking in the darkest areas using Prismacolor Black and Derwent Lightfast Dark Grey, creating a foundation for depth. Light pressure and small, directional strokes ensured the fur texture remained natural.
Layering is key in colored pencil work. I gradually introduced midtones—warm browns and subtle greys—while preserving highlights for contrast. Using a sharp white pencil and a precision eraser, I kept the brightest areas clean and crisp.
To achieve realistic fur, I blended selectively with lighter pencils rather than solvents. This maintained the integrity of the texture while softening harsh edges.
The finishing touches included refining individual hairs, deepening shadows, and adding sparkle to the eyes. These small details make the portrait feel alive and full of personality.
Both brands offer exceptional quality:
Together, they provide the perfect balance of color richness and durability.
Want to see the entire process in action? Check out the timelapse video of this portrait on my social media channels. It’s a fascinating look at how layers build up to create depth and realism.
If you’d love a custom portrait of your pet, I’d be thrilled to create one for you! Each piece is hand-drawn with care, using the same high-quality materials showcased here.
Click here to order your portrait or DM me on Instagram/Facebook for details.
I create custom portraits of all dog breeds, including Labradors, Golden Retrievers, Collies, Spaniels, and mixed breeds.
You can commission your own custom piece here: