Poodles are a wonderful subject to draw, not only because of their distinctive appearance, but also for their expressive nature and elegance. From the proud stance of a Standard Poodle to the charm and delicacy of the smaller varieties, each one has a unique personality that comes through beautifully in a portrait. Their coats, whether softly curled or carefully groomed, offer an opportunity to explore texture and light in a way that is both challenging and rewarding.
The Standard Poodle has a natural poise and presence that makes it a striking subject. In this portrait of Tzar, a white Standard Poodle, I focused on capturing both the structure of his face and the softness of his coat, using gentle layers of pastel to build depth and form.
Poodles often have lively, affectionate personalities, and a group portrait can be a lovely way to reflect this.
In this portrait of an apricot and black poodle together, I worked to balance their contrasting colours while keeping a sense of connection between them by introducing a soft rusty red haze behind each one. Group portraits are a wonderful option for households with more than one dog, allowing their individual characters to be captured side by side in a single piece.
Miniature Poodles bring the same intelligence and character as their larger counterparts, but often with an added sense of playfulness.
I sought to capture the nature and spirit of this miniature breed by giving attention to the texture of Bertie's darker coat and the subtle highlights that bring his expression to life.
The owner also asked if the tag with his name on could be incorporated. This gave a lovely personal touch to the portrait. Extra features like these can be including when commissioning a work.
Toy Poodles are particularly suited to pastel work, as the medium allows me to recreate the softness and fine detail of their coats..
In this portrait, the delicate curls and gentle transitions of tone are built up gradually, helping to give a sense of lightness and warmth. The soft background tones also complement the subject, creating a calm and timeless feel.
The picture of Dot arrived today and we think it is fantastic. I’m sure my sister will be thrilled. Thank you so much for your speedy work.
Robin Walker (Kent)

Hi and welcome my world of pet portraits! One of the things I particularly enjoy about drawing Poodles is the variety within the breed. Whether I am working on a Standard, Miniature or Toy Poodle, each portrait requires a slightly different approach to capture their proportions, coat texture and personality.
With over twenty five years of experience creating pet portraits, I still find that every commission brings something new. My aim is always to produce a piece that feels both accurate and full of life — something that truly reflects the character of your dog.
I have spent many years creating portraits of a wide range of dog breeds, each with their own character and charm. If you are fond of Poodles, you may also enjoy exploring some of my other dog portrait galleries, including:
Or browse my gallery of dog portraits.
If you are considering a portrait of your Poodle, the process is straightforward and can be arranged wherever you are in the world.
I work from your photographs, guiding you where needed to ensure they are suitable for a detailed pastel portrait. Each piece is drawn entirely by hand, building up layers of soft pastel to create depth, texture and a natural finish.
Portraits typically take around 3 to 4 weeks to complete, depending on size and complexity. Whether you would like a head study or a full body composition, I would be very happy to discuss your ideas.
Please feel free to get in touch to begin your portrait.
Here are a few kind words shared by clients after receiving their portraits:

• ask me a question by filling in this form
• Email your photos to find out which ones can become a portrait
• Feel free to ring me on (01243) 773123
• or commission a portrait here