This A3 portrait was commissioned by Marc Ree as a birthday gift for his partner, featuring her two dogs. Marc shared a selection of photographs, each capturing different expressions, postures, and moments, which became the starting point for the piece.

Rather than replicating a single image, I developed a custom composition that brought the dogs together in a way that felt natural and balanced, while allowing their individual personalities to shine. One of the key aims was to reflect their distinct characters — from subtle differences in expression to body language — while ensuring they sat comfortably within the frame as a pair.

The painting was created using acrylic, allowing for layered colour, texture, and contrast to build depth and warmth. Careful attention was given to facial details and fur patterns, while keeping the overall composition painterly rather than overly rigid, so the final piece feels both expressive and timeless.

This commission was designed as a personal, meaningful artwork — not just a likeness, but a celebration of the bond between the dogs and their owner, and a one-of-a-kind gift intended to be treasured for years to come.