The Art of Creating The Cutest Dog Portraits

I love dogs, I have a dog, I want more dogs and I also commissioned dog portraits to other artists : all of this kind of makes me an expert in order to create the cutest dog portraits I can in honor of your pups ! Here are a few pieces I made along the way for my customers : Cute Dog Portraits that are forever!

In this article I will talk about my dog portrait art as a Ceramic Artist and Illustrator. I will also help you along the various steps and details of ordering the perfect dog portrait commission from Kness or from any other studio or illustrator.

As you might know, Kness is a Canadian Ceramic Artist (me) and from time to time Custom orders are open for Dog Portraits (As well as Cat Portraits, Bunny Portraits and Your Favorite Animals). As a multidisciplinary artist, a Dog Portrait from Kness can take different forms:

• Dog Portrait Ceramic Figurine
• Dog Portrait Jewelry
• Dog Portrait Mug
• Dog Portrait Memorial Urn
• Dog Portrait Watercolor Painting

Dog Portrait Figurines : Capturing the Cute with Porcelain

The number one piece I create for my fellow dog owners is the dog portrait figurine so let’s see some samples I made in the last months.

Many dog portraits are done as memorials to dear pets of the past, and some are for living dogs as a way to simply show how much a pet is loved in a home. Very often, a dog portrait commission is ordered as a gift to a spouse or family member who’s responsible for the pet in one’s home. It’s actually the perfect gift for the dog person who already has everything!

When I create a dog figurine, I try to capture their personnality and their character with both the pose, the expression and, of course, little details of their coats and coloring. Some figurines can also include a favorite collar, toy or a symbol of your relationship to your dog. Here are a few examples.

Some exceptional dog portraits I did include this one in a wheelchair which was a true challenge to sculpt paint and ship so that it arrived in one piece (achievement unlocked ^^) Taiga the dog also had her collar and her name painted in gold on her medal. You can tell how much love there was between this family and their dog just by looking at the figurine. My work as an animal artist and dog portrait artist is to make that love tangible and you can hold it in your hand.

Another fun dog portrait I made was for a graduation of a lawyer and their loved one asked for dogs dressed as lawyers which was super fun to do.

Dog portraits can also be done as a whole family portrait including cats and other animals like these little guys. I did a few families like Megan’s huskies along the years and it’s so great to see them all together in this picture she kindly provided and gave permission to publish.

Lastly, some dog portrait figurines can be functional ! Like this pair of brush rests made with two labradors for a couple of artists.

Dog portrait figurines are a celebration of the love and companionship between a person and their dog, it takes a dog person to know how important and deep this bond is. It also takes some craftwomanship and dedication to cuteness to sculpt the cutest dog portraits.

If you’d like one, check the Commission page. I don’t always take commissions so if those are closed, join my e-mail list and I’ll keep you posted on everything going on in the pottery studio.

Dog figurines are adorable but there are many other options ! Let’s look at those !

Dog Portrait Jewelry : The Tiniest Portrait you can Wear Everyday

if you thought dog figurines are very teensy and cute and demure and all dainty, wait until you see the dog portrait jewelry. They’re tiny and adorable and so detailed you won’t believe the level of cuteness they hold in only 5 grams of clay and a little gold.

Dog portrait jewelry is a unique way to materialize your love for your dog or make your dog lover person the happiest in the world. It’s unique, like really unique I’m not kidding I make them one at a time with my hands after pictures of your dog. They’re very cute with their little button eyes and details and when I can I add the little toe beans too. Dog portrait pendants are decorated with gold (how do I add gold to pottery ? Well, please head this way dear friend you will learn all about it).

Let’s look at a few dog portrait porcelain pendants I made!

Galetta the Australian Shepherd has had the honor of being sculpted twice as a pendant. She was first a gift from one partner to another and then after a few months of coveting the gift, my customer came back for another little Galetta ! Here are both pieces and the box that I shipped the first dog portrait pendant into – I always add a little doodle on the compostable kraft box.

Dog Portrait Mug : A Unique Breakfast with your best friend

Some customers like their dog portrait to be useful ! As an illustrator, I can paint dog portraits on mugs. It’s always in my own style, non-realistic, cute and minimalistic dog portraits. I try to convey the character and detail of a particular dog as I do in figurines and pendant, but as a little painting on a mug I will make especially for you.

Dog portrait mugs can be simple and they can also be sculpted : with a little figurine of your dog on the handle in addition to the painted dog portrait.

Dog Portrait Memorial Urn : Helping with Grief

With love and companionship comes grief, later in life we must face our dear friend’s end of life and it is both a tough and taboo subject. I work in Memorial Urns for Dogs as well, making a unique place for your grief to rest a little bit easier.

Dog Portrait Watercolor Painting : The Cutest Wall Décor Ever

As an illustrator, I took a few adorable watercolor orders for dog portraits. One is an animal pattern for a Dalmatian that I will not publish as per an agreement with the customer but you can contact me for a viewing. Very mysterious, I know, but it’s a straightforward cute Dalmatian painting, nothing weird ^^

Here is another piece I did for a Corgi named Rosie and her little friend.

Why ask an Artist for a Dog Portrait vs. AI Dog Portraits

With the rise of AI generated pictures, I will not say it’s art, one might ask why bother with paying an artist ? Well, because if nobody made the art, why would anyone bother to consider it ? Generated pictures are detrimental to real artists, the environment and knowledge in general. It’s also benefitting billionaires and capitalism, who are making more money while artists struggle to make a living.

Ai generated pictures often are riddled with inconsistencies, they will do the trick if you don’t look to closely but outside of a trend quickly scrolled over, it will never hold any quality.

Ai doesn’t make ceramics.

Painting and ceramics have existed for centuries, and millenia for pottery, I don’t belive Ai will take over, I think human made things will always keep more value.

Your Dog Portrait Commission : Which pictures and text to send ?

Are you ready to order a Dog Portrait ? If it’s the first time commissioning a real artist, it can be a little bit intimidating. That’s why I wrote a whole blog post about how to commission an artist in general and me in particular.

There are 5 steps :

• think about your project and define what you would like (writing can help)
• check the commission page (worth your time)
• pre-order your commission (it’s where you pay)
• prepare your references (look at the sample file)
• give all of your info in the required channels (online form or e-mail etc.)

When sending photo references think about the 3d aspect of it if you order a figurine or a pendant, I will need both sides, front, back and top views of your dog to achieve all the details. If some views are missing I will do my best based upon my knowledge of dogs, their breed, age and coat color.

As an Artist : Understanding Dog Characters and Features

As an artist, I study a lot. I love watching dogs everywhere I go, I participate in a lot of dog related activities, I have a dog, I know breeders and rescuers and many professionals around dog education and sports. This helps me with a lot of dog breed traits and behaviors. A Shiba Inu doesn’t move or sits like a Bull Terrier and knowing their stance helps a lot with achieving a good level of detail and overall character.

It’s the same with all other animal species, but dogs offer the most variety in shapes, sizes and characters.

That’s why I love to create dog portraits, and why I feel pretty confident with my qualities as a dog portrait artist.

Kness : A Dog Portrait Artist and Dog Advocate in Canada

I’m Kness, your Dog portrait artist in Canada ! I advocate for dogs and especially the Pembroke Welsh Corgi breed. I am mentored by breeders in Quebec and France, learning more every day about them. I also care about rescue dogs and education of Pembroke Welsh Corgis by helping various communities. My dog Billy and I go to Conformation Shows, we also do herding and are exploring several dog sports. He’s a Canadian Champion.