Pet Portraits
in
Pastel
Your family pet imortalised by Angie Inkster
Hi! My name is Angie Inkster and I have been painting using soft pastels for many years.
I focus on bringing the attributes that give life to your pet into each and every portrait that I complete.
This is one of my passions. I hope you get as much enjoyment from the ones I’ve posted here.
Why Pastels?
I started drawing animals when I was 16, my sister asked me to go with her to an evening art class, this was the type of class that wasn’t a lesson as such, you just went and did your own thing. Naively I didn’t take anything to draw so another artist gave me a photo of a cat and just said “Draw that!” And that’s where it all started!
On my 21st birthday my father gave me a set of pastel pencils and it just grew from there!
Pastel paints are made from pure colour pigment mixed together with a binder to form a solid or, depending on the binder, a slightly waxy medium that rubs off on the painting surface (known as the support). Because there is no liquid binder, as in the case of watercolours and oils, it won’t fade, yellow, crack or blister, and if handled correctly, provides the most permanent of all the media. In drawing a pastel painting, I have to drag the pastel sticks or pencils over an abrasive ground, known as the support. This leaves the colour on the grain of the painting surface. When I’m blending a colour, I might have to do this with as many as 10 different shades of pastel to achieve the final colour I’m aiming for. Having the best support, and highest grade pastels is so important in achieving the best image. Unfortunately, it is also the most expensive.
I have found that pastels offer me the best option to accurately capture the image of what I’m painting and the spirit. I’m apparently not the only one that thinks this.
While in the U.K. I exhibited at a summer fair, and my portrait of a Doberman was on a small easel at child height.
A lady with her dog walked by and her dog started pulling at the lead and barking at the picture, presumably in an effort to protect its owner.
This was one of the best compliments I could have received.
From Here to Eternity
Alright, that’s a bit kitsch, but I thought it was a catchy title to introduce the process of how you can go from wanting a portrait to immortalise your pet, to actually getting one. Obviously, it’s almost impossible to get an animal to sit still for 4-6 weeks while I paint them, so photographs are usually the way to go!
In order to best capture the likeness of your pet, I would generally need a good, clear photograph, in the correct lighting. The best photos to paint from are taken in natural light, about 6 feet away from your pet. Bonus points if you can get down to their eye level!
I have found the best way to get your pet to sit still is to place them on someone else’s knee and then that person holds them still. You can then take multiple photos from different angles, all at eye level.
Outside is ideal, but near a window, with the light behind you works too. Try not to use a flash as this will distort the natural colours of your pet. I supply the portraits unframed because the frame should be personalised by your choice of decor. Each portrait comes with detailed handling instructions and recommendations for glass in the frames to ensure the best protection for your portraits. By following the guidance, your portrait will be ready to hang and bring you a lifetime of happiness.
Each portrait takes between 4-6 weeks to complete once we have agreed on a start date. In busy periods you may get put on a waiting list that could extend that period out.
I paint portraits one at a time, and they take many hours of detailed work. This is not a production line, so each portrait gets my full attention.
Testimonials
I am absolutely IN LOVE with the portrait of my gorgeous black cocker spaniel, Luna.
Her eyes, her fluffy little head and her regal facial expression!
Angie, you have captured her PERFECTLY and I cannot thank you enough!
Hello Angela.
Well what can I say?
I was actually speechless and tearful when I opened my present from my kids with most of the help from you!
You have captured Oscar perfectly and have immortalized him forever.
I have to say, I was quite envious of Luna’s portrait you gave Kim and never thought I’d get one.
Or even dare ask!
Thank you so much for your kind talent.
Incredible how a piece of paper comes alive.
Kim has enjoyed liaising with you as she is a great giver and organizer.
Once again,
Thank you so much 💞
p.s. I thought you might like to see him in his new place
Thank you for the portrait, my wife and I thought it truly captured the aura of our Cassie (especially her eyes).
I’m sorry we didn’t meet, but it was a pleasure meeting your husband.
As apparent by the examples on your web site and my own portrait you not only have a talented technique but also the ability to infuse onto the paper the animal’s spirit.
Thank you again for making the process from start to finish extremely easy.
I will definitely be recommending your services.
Regards
Michael
Just want to thank you again for helping me surprise my husband with the beautiful pastel picture of our dog Tweed.
My husband doesn’t get excited about too many things, but your picture actually brought out a WOW!
from him.
Also, all the company I had at the time were very impressed with the detail and the perfect likeness of Tweed.
I would highly recommend you to anyone thinking of having a pastel done.
Thanks again for all your hard work, it was easy to work with you to put everything together.
Barb
When I received my commissioned portrait of Hershey, it made me quite teary, in a very good way.
The eyes are full of his quirky personality and Angie’s attention to detail is truly a gift.
She has captured his true spirit and it makes me smile every time I glance at it.
This is a portrait that will keep him fondly in my memory for many years to come.
I highly recommend Angie’s work to anyone considering a commissioned piece of their special friend.
Wendy
Contact me for more information
How to Order
For reasons of quality, I paint all the portraits the same size.
These portraits are all fine pastel drawings on premium shaded or white paper.
I only do head studies as a larger body shot typically requires more space and time to work, and detracts from the spirit and individuality of your pet.
The paintings will be provided unframed, so you can choose the frames to match your decor.
If you are happy with these terms, please go to the order form page below and fill it out online.
You can then send it to me by pressing the submit button and printing a copy to send with your deposit and photographs.
The point of a photograph is to let me get to “know” your pet. Take the picture at the same level as your pet! This is the most crucial point. Looking down on your pet distorts the image, and does not make it easy for me to get to “know” your pet. Get as close to your pet as possible. But make sure the photograph is still in focus.
Lighting, Lighting, Lighting!
The best lighting is natural outdoor light. Although bright sunshine can create interesting effects through shadows, a softer light from a slightly overcast day works best.
Flashguns usually cause red-eye, which stops me from picking up the natural colour of your pet’s eyes, also coat colours can be flooded out.
Similarly, if a dark pet is photographed in shade, it is sometimes very difficult to distinguish between where the animal ends and the background begins. It is also very difficult to see how the ears lie against the head.
With light-coloured pets, again bright sunshine can flood out the texture of the coat and make it impossible to see the actual hair or fur.
Just take the picture in normal daylight. In mid-summer the morning or evening.
Don’t let the background take over.
Try to have a plain background for your pet’s photo, such as a fence, plain hedge, lawn or wall.
If you have a light-coloured pet try to take the photo against a darker-toned background.
If you have a dark-coloured pet try to take the photo against a lighter background.
This will prevent the details of your pet’s form from being lost in the background.
Don’t be dissuaded if your pet has passed on.
If your pet has sadly passed on and you have no clear photo, what you have is what I can work with.
In such an instance I ask that you give me a little write-up on what you remember about your pet.
It’s not just the physical characteristics that are important here, but also stories about how they played, their temperament and what they liked and disliked.
I can’t generate a good colour likeness from just a black-and-white photograph, but if that’s all you have, then the discussion described above really helps.
That said, my husband is a whizz with computers, and if all you have is a black-and-white photo, and your memories of your pet, then he may be able to produce a colourised photo to send you, to confirm the likeness before I start to paint.
For example: Here’s a black-and-white photograph of an Irish Setter from 1936.
And here’s what the same photo looks like after my husband colourised it.
We can’t guarantee what this beautiful animal actually looked at because it’s been nearly 100 years since it passed, but in the case of your pet, I could get your impressions of the colourization process.
Please realise, however, that this will not always be possible as I must be able to see some details.
Multiple photographs help in this instance, just try to ensure that the photographs show varying sides as in this way I can work from several photographs to form one portrait, to try to capture the real spirit of your pet
A lot of pets will not stay still for a photo. 
If this is the case, just ask someone to stand behind him/her to hold his or her collar or under the front legs supporting the body.
They should try to hold your pet from behind, and reduce the amount of their hands getting in the way. Of course, this person would be painted out.
I don’t paint miracles.
Dogs
Here is a selection of my dog portraits.
In some cases, I’ve been lucky to meet the beautiful animals, which helps tremendously, as I can get a real feel for their spirit.
Sadly, some of these family members have passed and my art is really a memorial of the loved one dearly missed.
My portraits provide a poignant way to bring your pet back into your home again.
Cats
Whether you have a sassy, independent or needy feline, I’m sure you give them all the love and pampering they deserve.
You deserve something in return.
A beautiful portrait, in pastel, that brings your family treasure to life each and every time you see it, even after they have passed.
Each portrait receives my special treatment, that breathes life into the portrait of your feline friend.
Horses
Horses, like all other animals in our families, have a special place in our hearts.
Unfortunately, most of us don’t have room in our homes to bring these wonderful animals in to live with us.
Now you can.
A beautifully crafted portrait in pastel allows you to show off your pride and joy to all who frequent your home.
Wild Animals
I have a passion for drawing cats.
Well, Tigers and Lions are really BIG cats, so why not?
Then my husband pushed me to extend myself and what could be a bigger extension to my drawings than Elephants.
The problem is the scarcity of access to these beautiful animals or good photos from which to draw inspiration.
Here’s hoping…
