Dog Portrait on Black Canvas

Lessons

About This Lesson Series...

The Dog Portrait on Black Canvas class is a comprehensive lesson designed to help artists create a striking, realistic portrait of a dog using colored pencils on a black canvas. This class emphasizes observation, value control, and layering techniques, demonstrating how working on a dark surface can enhance contrast and make highlights pop. By the end of the lesson, you’ll understand how to approach dark backgrounds while maintaining vibrant and lifelike colors.

Preparing the Black Canvas

The class begins with preparing the black canvas and planning the composition. You’ll learn how to transfer the initial sketch accurately, ensuring that the dog’s proportions and facial features are correct. This preparation is critical for maintaining a strong foundation, allowing the colored pencils to build depth and texture effectively on the dark surface.

Building Layers of Color

Once the drawing is in place, you’ll start applying colored pencils in layers. The lesson demonstrates how to build up color gradually, blending and layering pigments to achieve smooth transitions and rich, dimensional tones. Special attention is given to how colors appear differently on a black surface, teaching you techniques to enhance vibrancy and luminosity.

Creating Realistic Fur

Rendering realistic fur is a key focus of this class. You’ll learn how to use directional strokes and varied pressure to mimic the texture and flow of the dog’s coat. The instructor shows how to combine multiple colors to suggest highlights, midtones, and shadows, giving the fur a lifelike appearance. Techniques for softening edges and adding subtle details help bring the portrait to life.

Highlighting Features and Expression

Special emphasis is placed on the dog’s eyes, nose, and facial features, which are essential for conveying personality and expression. The class demonstrates how to enhance highlights and contrasts to create depth and realism. You’ll learn how to focus attention on key areas while keeping supporting regions softer and more subtle.

Final Touches and Finishing Techniques

In the final stages, the class shows how to refine the portrait, unify colors, and strengthen contrasts. Tips are provided for enhancing small details and maintaining harmony throughout the piece. By the end of the lesson, you’ll have a polished, vibrant dog portrait on a black canvas, along with valuable skills for working with colored pencils on dark surfaces.

Specific Lessons

Lesson 1 (1:08:30)

In lesson one, we sketch out the contours of the dog on plain paper and discuss the process of transferring our image to the final canvas.

Lesson 2 (1:15:10)

In lesson two, we begin to apply oil paint using a soft, scumbled application.

Lesson 3 (1:11:32)

In lesson three, we continue working on the face of the dog, working our way to the left.

Lesson 4 (1:11:59)

In lesson four, we develop the texture of the nose of the dog.

Lesson 5 (1:05:50)

In lesson five, we begin painting the texture of the fur.

Lesson 6 (58:20)

In lesson six, we complete the painting by adding glazes.

Resources for this Lesson...

Distributing any content downloaded from this site is strictly prohibited and against the terms and conditions of use.

References

Photo Reference

Finished Result

Here's what you'll need...

• 9" by 12" Canvas Board
• Black Acrylic Paint
• Oil Paints
• Bristle Brushes

(Disclosure: Links to art materials are affiliate links which means we make a small commission if you purchase at no additional cost to you.)