You’ll recognise the photo from my first attempt at Benson’s portrait. I suspect part of the problem in using this photo was the strong shadows which made it quite a hard image to read – a black dog with edges obscured in black shadow. And having divined all this, I naturally decided to use it as a starting point for Harvey’s portrait. Clever.

Now, it should be said, this wasn’t for a real portrait. That had already been made, and is very sweet. [Unfortunately, until I pester my friend for a photo, you’ll have to take my word for it.] But that one was only a head shot, and it felt wrong to let a sausage dog slip through my fingers without an attempt at its proper length.

So, back to the dark dog tucked in amongst dark shadows.

I had to imagine the bits I couldn’t make out, and cut poor Harvey off short when veterinarian knowledge / imagination ran out. Sweet, but almost certainly elongated beyond all reason, more spaghetti than sausage, I thought.

I brought him back in a little, and here he is.

If you would like a bespoke portrait of your own pet have a look at the commissions page.