Drawing Keeva – (How to draw a German Shepherd) Part Two
Progress photo of Keeva the German Shepherd - drawn in soft pastels. This photo shows the point I get to at the end of part two of Keeva’s tutorial.
Keeva’s portrait is really coming to life now! In Part Two of the tutorial, I focused on finishing both ears, completing the top of her head, and developing the fur around her snout and muzzle. There’s a wonderful balance to strike here, keeping the softness of her fur while building enough contrast and structure around the face to anchor the portrait.
One of the more challenging but rewarding areas was the fur around Keeva’s nose. It transitions through so many subtle colour shifts, from the warmer golden browns into darker, cooler tones as we approach the nose. Capturing this accurately is essential to creating a natural, realistic effect.
The nose itself is such a focal point in any dog portrait. I used a few photos to be able to capture Keeva’s nose; which is a great way for anyone looking to learn how to draw pet portraits to see how I tackle areas which I can’t see properly in the main reference photo. I paid extra attention to the way light subtly catches on the surface and how the nostrils sit within the shape, giving depth and form. By now, with both ears, eyes, and nose completed, Keeva’s personality is really starting to shine through.
In the tutorial, I explain how I approach each of these areas step by step, using soft pastels to build up the details gradually. The process is patient and layered, but incredibly rewarding as you watch the portrait take shape.
If you’d like to draw along, Part Two of the full-length tutorial is now available on my Patreon, where I guide you through the whole process in real time.