First stage is to take LOTS of photos. These are just a few of the photos I took before I got the one I was happy with.

The photo above was the final choice, I liked the composition and the soft but alert look in her eyes. I might regret this when I have to draw the cat-bed though! Normally I avoid drawing “things” and stick to the animals!

This is the initial sketch. No detail, just the basic outline.

I always start on the left hand side of the drawing; normally the ear and work my way downwards. I protect the paper under my sketching hand with a loose sheet of paper, any oil from the hand can effect a drawing.

In this case I then moved down to the eye, now have to work on joining the two sections. This is the very first “layer” of the drawing, there is only basic detail, mainly just establishing light and shade. I always work dark to light.

Am continuing with the basics – finding the black, tan and white areas.

Now have completed the first layer and established the basics of the complete body. Unfortunately the next step is the bed!

It was at the stage of starting the bed that I was regretting including it. However Smarty loves sitting in her bed, so it is a typical pose of hers. I will keep the detail on the bed to the minimum as I want the emphasis to be on Smarty. Have faded out one side of the bed to keep it looking “arty” and not predictable.

Now have completed the basics of the whole portrait and will start on the all important detail.

The next stages are very hard to show in photographs, the changes are quite subtle but so important.

Every section is now re-worked gaining in detail as I go. I deepened and worked on the dark colours in Smarty’s coat, starting at her left ear working downwards, to her eye and her back. Next part will be the white in her coat, which actually takes a lot more shading then you would think – it can’t be just left white.

Have purposely left the bed “loose” as I want Smarty to be the centre of focus. Now am at the stage of analysing and checking, this is the third and final stage. Have just realised I have forgotten to do her tag and bell!

Smarty complete, signed and framed!