The Story Behind Milo’s Portrait
The reference photo Catherine provided was beautifully sharp, allowing me to capture the detail and expression in Milo’s features with clarity. You can see one of the in-progress photos of the portrait below, taken at a slight angle to help reveal the pencil textures.
Catherine Cave from the UK commissioned this portrait of their much-loved Boxer, Milo, in 2014 as a surprise gift for her husband. Milo had recently passed away, and this portrait became a meaningful tribute to his memory.
The portrait was drawn at 12" x 10", a classic size that worked perfectly for the head and chest composition. I carefully packed and shipped the drawing within 24 hours of approval so it could be gifted in time.
I captured several photos of Milo’s portrait from different angles. Pencil can sometimes reflect light, so photographing from a slight tilt helps show the textures more clearly. Catherine sent a wonderful message upon receiving the portrait — you can read her kind words below.
