Your Mutt, the Muse: An Introduction to Illustrated Pet Portraits

This class will guide you step by step in the creation of a distinctive series of pet portraits, using your very own dog (or cat, or parakeet, or llama...) as inspiration. You can work in any medium, from painting to collage to digital illustration. Beginners are welcome! Expand your creative comfort zone while you learn how to choose the best reference photographs, capture an animal’s personality, and craft a cohesive “look” that connects your portraits thematically. You can expand your final project into a full line of prints or launch a custom pet portrait business. Plus you’ll have a meaningful collection of images that pay homage to your favorite pet!

• Introduction
• Choosing reference photographs
• Creating a values sketch
• Tips and tricks for dogs
• Ideas and inspiration
• Digital collage
• Cultivating themes
• Expanding your line
• Wrapping up