New commission - step by step (picture heavy)

This is the first time I've photographed a painting as I've gone along so thought it would be fun to share, not horsey I'm afraid, seem to have an influx of doggy portraits to do at the moment.

Here goes, first the photographs I have chosen to work with...





Then I sketch out in pencil, I'm really bothered at this point with composition, correct proportions and a guide for where the coat lies/tonal changes etc..

Then the fun bit starts, always do the eye first, its the best bit and my paintings always seem to 'grow around this...





A bit more fur now, start with the paler tones and build up, adding some darker areas...



Now the nose...

Start working on the ear now and the rest of the fur, I tend to rub out the pencil marks so they are fainter before putting the colour on as these tend to show through otherwise...

Got a bit carried away with the other dog (think this was the night when I realised it was getting light outside and I hadn't gone to bed yet!) Hopefully you can see though the paler wash of colour on the neck and then how this is built up on the final picture...



Finished!



And framed..

Wow! Stunning. You captured them perfectly.

^Ditto. Amazing.

That was fascinating! Do you use any masking to protect white areas? You must use a tiny brush , as you paint each hair and leave whitish areas between each one. Just blows me away.
Brussels Griffon dogs, right?

Thanks everyone! I don't use any mask, I tried it but its so messy to get off I didn't bother again. And yes, my brush is tiny, I use 00 and 000. They are Border Terriers but the owner tells me the second dog isn't a very 'good' example of one.

Wow, that's beautiful! You make the whole process seem so easy and effortless

Wow! That is just amazing. So realistic.