The Art Supplies I Can’t Live Without as a Pet Portrait Artist
If you're anything like me, the joy of creating realistic pet portraits lies not just in the fluffy faces and wagging tails but in the tools that bring them to life. As a pet portrait artist, my studio might look like a pastel bomb exploded... but trust me, every mess has a purpose!
If you're just getting started in pet portraiture or you’re a seasoned artist looking to upgrade your kit, these are the goodies I simply can’t live without:
1. Faber-Castell Pitt Pastel Pencils - My precision heroes
These beauties are by far my go-to for fur details, whiskers, and tiny glimmers in the eyes. The pigment is incredible, and they’re really reactive to pressure which means I can make the smallest of details just as I intend them. Faber-Castell's pastel pencils offer rich colour, hardly any dust, and they sharpen like a dream which is ideal for ultra-fine details!
You can grab these at any art retailers, but sometimes these guys have good deals:
2. PastelMat Board & Card – The base that holds it all together
If you haven’t tried PastelMat, ohhh you’re in for a treat. This isn’t your ordinary paper, it has a velvety grip that holds pastel pigment like magic. It’s especially perfect for layering (hello, soft fluff on top of darker undercoats!) and doesn’t shed like regular pastel paper.
I use PastelMat card for small portraits and PastelMat board for bigger commissions or ones that need to travel or frame easily. It comes in gorgeous neutral tones that make pet fur colours pop even more.
3. Blending Pens – My secret weapon for smooth shading
Let’s talk blending. Those velvety shadows under a dog’s chin or the subtle fade on a cat’s stripes can be a shading nightmare. Blending pens are my go-to for this, These nifty tools let me control how smooth or soft I want my transitions to be without overworking the paper.
They're especially handy when working on short fur or soft features, and they give your fingers (and tissues!) a much-needed break.
4. PanPastels – Soft, smooth, and really quite satisfying
Before I sketch a single whisker, I often lay down a soft base of colour with PanPastels. They give an airbrushed look without the faff, which is perfect for background washes or even underpainting that gives fur its glow. The colour payoff is smooth, and they layer beautifully under pastel pencils.
I especially love using PanPastels for softly blurred backgrounds or adding warmth to golden retriever fur.
5. Soft Pastels – For Bold Colour and Fluffy Fur
No pet portrait is complete without a touch of soft pastel magic. I use them sparingly for pops of fur texture or bold colour, but when I do, the results are amazing. They’re similar to the PanPastels, but allow the extra control when adding beams of colour or specific highlights that you can’t get with the loose pastels. Think fluffy ears, bushy tails, or textured noses that need just the right touch.
Brands like Rembrandt, Unison and Schmincke are great and all easily found online or in art shops.
6. Blending Sponges – The unsung heroes
These little tools are perfect for laying down big areas of soft colour quickly, especially when working on large commissions. They make blending backgrounds or soft fur layers a total breeze, all without losing the integrity of the paper.
Tip: Clean them often, and they’ll love you back.
Final Thoughts – Art supplies that spark joy (and great pet portraits)
Creating detailed, lifelike pet portraits is a combination of skill, love for animals, and the right tools. These are the supplies that not only make my job easier, but elevate my art to a level where customers say, “It looks just like them!”
If you’re just getting started or levelling up your artist kit, I hope this peek into my essentials helps you find your new favourite tool.
Have a favourite pet portrait supply you swear by? Let’s chat! drop me an email or find me on Instagram @ej.illustration 🐾
