1. A Unique Family Story
I recently completed a dog portrait commission for a very special family in Brede, near Hastings in East Sussex. It’s a commission that’s close to the heart because behind it lies quite a story.
Over thirty years ago, this family took on their first Springer Spaniel. At first, they could not imagine this. As they put it, “My upbringing had disciplined me to afford [dogs] some disdain.” But that all changed. The Springer (named Flash) was a revelation. Flash was clever and competitive. He was full of character and became very much part of the family.
When they got a second Springer pup, things didn’t go smoothly at first. But over time the two began to live together as companions. Then tragedy struck: their older dog developed a tumour and passed away, leaving the younger one bereft. A rescued Springer joined later, bringing fresh joy — and more heartbreak.
One of the rescued dogs, Alf, was involved in an accident that almost cost him a leg. Major veterinary work followed, and a temporary hospital set-up in their home while he recovered. Eventually Alf regained mobility, though with a slight limp, and remained full of energy and affection.
Later they adopted Mia, another Springer with health challenges. After discovering she had a liver shunt, the family arranged for specialist veterinary surgery. Mia later had puppies — but sadly one was stillborn, another severely ill — and the birth triggered an emergency C-section late at night. There was a long period of care: hand-feeding, acting as surrogate nurse, constant supervision. But against all odds, the puppies survived. With further surgery, such as correcting a cleft palate, life settled into a new normal through rehabilitation and gentle patience. The family came through it all together.
It’s this dramatic blend of joy, risk, care, loss and triumph that made the commission feel deeply personal. It represents not just a portrait. It’s a testament to resilience, love, and commitment.
2. Translating Story into Art
When you commission a pet portrait that has such emotional weight behind it, the artwork becomes more than an image. It’s a narrative in paint. The challenge is to capture:
- Character — the energetic, playful and determined nature of a Springer, the loyalty through pain and recovery, the gentle moments despite past trauma.
- Bond between companions — not just individual poses, but the relationship between dogs (and between dogs and their owners).
- Resilience — the scars, the limp, the recovery, and the ongoing affection — all these aspects make the subject more human. They make the subject more “canine-human” than most portraits.
- History & story hints — subtle details: body posture that hints at playfulness; light and shadow to suggest struggle; expressions that carry memory and personality.
In creating the portrait, I reflected all of that: composition, colour palette, lighting, pose — all tailored to honour the story behind the image.
3. The Process
Here’s a rough idea of how the commission unfolded (based on what I can infer from your blog):
- Briefing & Story-Gathering — you would have met (or talked) with the client to understand the background stories of their dogs: their health journeys, personalities, relationships with the family.
- Reference Photography — working with images of Alf, Mia (and perhaps their pups), the vet-visit scars or condition, their expressions, posture.
- Sketches & Layout — developing initial rough sketches to propose pose, arrangement (e.g. single or group portrait), setting (inside their home, outside in the garden).
- Painting & Detailing — layering paint, building texture (fur, eyes, expression), capturing lighting to match the mood. Paying special attention to the parts that hint at their journey (e.g. the limp or scar).
- Review & Iteration — checking the likeness (not just visual detail, but likeness of personality), making adjustments to tone / emotion.
- Final Presentation & Framing — with a suitable frame that respects the emotional weight (perhaps something classic, warm, supportive), before delivering to the owner in Brede.
4. Reflections & Why It Matters
Commissioned pet portraits are often about appearance — colour of eyes, posture, breed-typical features. But when there’s a story like this, the painting becomes a form of legacy. It preserves not only the physical likeness, but the emotional journey. Each brushstroke is imbued with memory and meaning.
For me (as the artist), projects like this are deeply rewarding. Working with clients whose experience spans love, illness, rescue, recovery — you’re not just painting fur and eyes, you’re honouring lives lived together.
