How This Cat Portrait Almost Didn’t Make It And Why It’s Now A Favourite

How This Cat Portrait Almost Didn’t Make It And Why It’s Now A Favourite

As a pet portrait artist in Glasgow, I like to think I can handle whatever a drawing throws at me.

But this cat portrait almost ended up abandoned in my drawer.

From skewed eyes to muddy colours, it fought me at every stage; until persistence (and a little encouragement from my Instagram followers) turned it into one of my favourite pieces.

The Eyes Were Off

Even with a grid I could see the eyes weren’t quite right. Colours went muddy and the portrait started to feel flat. I almost gave up. It’s a bit embarrassing to admit but every artist has that moment when a drawing fights back.

Thanks to some encouragement from my Instagram Stories followers I decided to push through. Their support reminded me why I love what I do.

Layer by Layer Fixing the Fur

The next step was adding texture and life. I’m not a hyper-realistic artist. I focus on capturing expression and character. By building highlights with long quick pencil strokes and paying attention to the different lengths of fur across the cat’s face and body the portrait slowly started to breathe.

Layering is where pastel pencils really shine. Each pass adds depth and personality and you can almost feel the animal coming to life.

Adding Personality and a Bit of Quirk

Once the cat itself looked right I added a playful detail: a bottle of Buckfast. It’s subtle but it adds a story and a personal touch. Then I realised the background needed more depth so I created a simple interior scene to complement the composition.

Small decisions like these make a portrait feel unique and bespoke exactly what collectors love.

Why I Love This Portrait

Now it’s one of my favourite pieces. It reminds me that the messy middle the mistakes reworks and doubts is often where the real craft is. Sharing these behind-the-scenes moments shows the care attention and personality that go into every pastel pencil portrait.

Available as Original or Print

If you’d like to bring a piece like this into your home this portrait is available from my Glasgow studio as the original drawing or as a limited edition print. It’s perfect for pet lovers collectors or anyone looking for a one-of-a-kind artwork.

Tips for Collectors and Pet Lovers

  • Pastel pencil portraits capture expression and texture beautifully

  • Originals are unique but limited edition prints are a more accessible way to enjoy the work

  • Paying attention to small details like fur direction and background setting makes each portrait special

Final Thoughts

Even professional artists encounter moments of doubt but pushing through often leads to work you’re proud of. For me this cat portrait is a reminder of why I love creating bespoke pet art.

Now it’s available both as the original drawing and as a print from my Glasgow studio. If you’d like to commission a bespoke pet portrait of your own, I’d love to hear from you.

Back to blog