Penny & Octavia portrait in progress 1 - All about the relationship

Last week I shared the three portraits Greg and Theresa Chan commissioned of Westminster Best in Show winning Doberman, Penny, to be given as surprise gifts to members of “Team Penny”. We began working on the portrait for Octavia in January….before Penny won Westminster! (Westminster was to be the last show of her impressive career.)

The creation of a portrait always starts with choosing the right photos to use for reference.

1

The Chans suggested this photo of Octavia with Penny, captured by photographer Claudia Bibaud at a dog show while Octavia and Penny were waiting at ringside.

This portrait is all about Octavia’s and Penny’s relationship. It’s hard to imagine a photo that conveys their relationship better than this one.

Soon I’ll share more about Octavia and who she was to Penny.

2

Now the artistic process starts.

Even the most perfect photo usually leaves some room for improvement by an artist. The first thing I did was remove the distracting background with Photoshop so I could see the figures. When the shape of the figures were isolated from the other shapes in the background, it was obvious that Penny is leaning to the right. (Pic 1) So I rotated the upper bodies of both figures slightly to the left, and then rotated Penny’s head and neck (and Octavia’s upper hand with it) even more, to bring Penny’s head upright. Now Penny’s head and neck are straight up. (Pic 2)

The show lead will be removed also. It distracts from the beautiful lines of these two pretty girls.

I’ve cropped the image to create the best composition for the size the Chans ordered, and faded the edges of the grass. This is still just a Photoshop layout to see how the artwork will look. I always start with figures on a neutral grey background in Photoshop so I can see the composition without any distractions of different colors. Next I’ll decide what color paper I want to work on for this portrait.

Colored pencil artists: What color paper would you choose for this piece? And why?

3

CHOOSING THE PAPER COLOR

I work in Prismacolor pencils on Canson paper, a fine art paper made in France that comes in 50 colors. Choosing the paper color is a very important decision. It will influence everything that comes after and dictates the look of the entire artwork. Portraying these figures on black paper, for example, would give an entirely different feel than on yellow paper.

Because of the colors in the photo this was not an easy decision. Penny's black figure would stand out beautifully on a light paper color. Octavia's fair skin would stand out better on a dark color. It is important to visually capture both figures. But the purpose of this portrait is a gift for Octavia. She has beautiful "peaches and cream" skin. Canson makes a paper color called “Honeysuckle" that is just the color of Octavia’s skin in Claudia's photo. I was really leaning towards that color, a lovely pale peach/champagne paper with a touch of pink to it. It is pretty and feminine. I felt it would be a nice color for a young woman's portrait.

But will Octavia's face stand out on a paper the same color as her face? The skin colors and values (lightness/darkness) are very delicate. The highlights of Octavia's face would barely be lighter than the paper color, and the shadowed areas would barely be darker. But I believed I could do it.

I prepared the sheet of Canson paper, made a detailed drawing of the figures with colored pencil, and began on Octavia's hair.

4

Starting work on Octavia’s hair in my art studio, with reference photos of Octavia on the monitor. Pencil colors picked out, electric pencil sharpener, white paper to protect the artwork. Drafting brush for “pencil crumbs”. Eraser.

Ready to go.

🎨 Prismacolor pencil on “Honeysuckle” Canson Mi-Teintes paper, 12 x 16 inches.

"Penny & Octavia", in progress

Penny - GCh. Connquest Best of Both Worlds - Westminster Kennel Club Best in Show 2026.

Commissioned by Greg Chan and Theresa Conners-Chan.

From a photo by Claudia Bibaud, claudiapetphotography.com