Help needed please!

I think perhaps you need to lighten the forehead and between the eyes it might help define the eyes. Have a good look at the inset photo to the lower right on your photograph you will see what I mean. This may help but go gently as you may spoil it but it's worth a try. But do be careful as I know even at this stage you can make mistakes.You may need to use a light grey or even white pastel pencil.Warning take care and go slowly and remember you can always darken it if needed. Hope this is of some help. Let me know how you get on. Joy.

Ooops! I should have told you to use cotton buds when going over darker colours with lighter ones then you don't get too much on the original painting. I hope this helps.

Thanks Joy, will try that

I think Joy is right, if that's any help! I've only done one animal commission, so far as I remember, and was allowed a fair amount of leeway because the photographs (again, the dog was in the kennel in the sky by the time her owners commissioned a portrait) weren't clear enough. They were happy enough, though - but I think I got lucky. So - good luck to you, too: you can't be expected to work miracles; if you can't see it, it's virtually impossible to paint it.

Hazel - the photographs have to be good, as Robert says it's virtually impossible otherwise. The only help I can offer is to look at the photograph and your painting in the mirror side by side that usually helps for any proportional erros i,e, the muzzle. Fortunately pastel is a forgiving medium if done lightly at first. Good Luck!

Thanks Joy, Robert and Glennis. Took the finished painting to the customer this morning and she loves it! said the eyes were perfect and it was a great likeness, took it to get framed afterwards, so glad it turned it good!

Hi Hazel. Thanks for letting me know that you're Doberman turned out so well. I am so pleased that the owner was delighted and what better Chrismas cheer could you have, you must be tickled pink I know I would be. Happy Christmas.Joy .