There are often many more colours present in the subject than is perhaps expected - at least four or five are usually needed to achieve the right look in any one area. Around the dog's eye (enlarged above) you can see these variations. It is the accurate rendering of these multiple colours that gives a true sense of light and texture in the finished pet portrait.
A grid system helps the artist with the initial likeness and proportions when enlarging from the photograph. Then work begins on the portrait's background and finer details. Colours are layered gradually in order to blend them, and a soft putty rubber lightly applied can remove excess pencil to produce convincing highlights.
