How to Draw a Miniature Schnauzer Portrait in Pastel Pencils: Zestit Pencil Blend Tutorial & Tips

When you are invited to dinner at your neighbor's home, you don’t expect to leave early! After enjoying a magnificent Spanish tapas followed by an amazing Mexican chili, we received an unexpected phone call. Our daughter was in the hospital, and we had to rush over. It certainly brought a swift end to a very pleasant evening. We didn’t even have time to say thank you properly. So, after the crisis was over, what could I do to show my appreciation?

Well, having met Marvin the Schnauzer during the evening, I thought, why not create a portrait for his owners? Here’s how I did it and why I decided to use Zestit "Pencil Blend" in the process.

Turning a Hasty Snap into Art: A Zestit Tutorial

The original snap

Side view giving more detail

The final portrait

I didn’t go to dinner with the intention of creating a portrait of Marvin. Since it was meant to be a surprise, I couldn’t return for more photos. I had to rely on the two shots I had hastily taken during the evening.

I wasn’t sure how to approach this artwork. However, I often find that going through several mental steps helps me develop my approach. These steps include composition development, choice of media, and finally, the process or steps to use.

The Composition, The Media, The Process

Original Sketch subsequently rejected

Developing the Composition for a Miniature Schnauzer Portrait

I played around with various sketches before deciding on the composition. With so few reference images to go on, and having never drawn a Schnauzer before, I relied on Google for background research into the breed. In the end, I decided to crop the original image to focus on a headshot, minimizing the composition.

Having studied various images of Schnauzers, it became clear that the snout, eyebrows, and mustache are what make them distinctive. Marvin is a real character with a fantastic personality and a very unique face. So, that’s what I decided to concentrate on. I was also aware that a white background wouldn’t provide the contrasts needed to make his eyebrows and mustache pop.

Background Research

Originating in Germany in the 14th century, the Schnauzer name comes from the German word for snout, which colloquially means mustache. The Miniature Schnauzer, which I believe Marvin to be, originated in Germany in the late 19th century. It may have been developed from the smallest specimens of the Standard Schnauzer or crossbred with a miniature poodle or similar. With the composition decided, it was now time to focus on the medium.

Choosing Pastel Pencil and Paper for Dog Portraits

This had to be a pastel artwork, which is my favorite medium for producing dog portraits because it offers flexibility. What it required, based on my initial sketches, was a careful choice of paper to highlight the eyebrows and beard. I was essentially going to create a vignette; the coat would be represented only.

I settled on a paper called Tiziano by Fabriano, 160 g/m², sized 29.7 x 42 cm (or 11.75” x 16.5”). This flecked paper, with its lighter grey color, would work well as a complement to Marvin’s coloring and provide a good base to work upon.

I also wanted to use the Zestit Pencil Blend to reduce the need for heavy blending with conventional tools. Since I was using a 160 g/m² paper, one of the first benefits of using a blending liquid is that it preserves the paper’s surface finish.

Pro Tip Before Using Zestit to Blend

Before using Zestit, you will still need to use conventional blending methods. I use a mixture of fingers, silicon blenders, and paper torchons like the ones shown in the collage below. Start by layering your colors in the conventional way, using the lightest touch. Lightly blend with a silicon blender or torchon to achieve your color before using the "Pencil Blend." More on this later.

Paper torchons are useful, but having used these with “Pencil Blend,” I have several other tips to share.

I had never used Zestit until the last few pieces of pastel art. Like most artists, I did a search on YouTube. After skipping through the usual candy-floss blogs, I decided to see if Colin Bradley, an early mentor of Faber-Castell, had started using it as well. Thankfully, he had! If you haven’t used Zestit before, he has several video tutorials on his website worth watching. You may need to join his art class, but it’s very competitively priced and an ideal start if you are new to pastel pencils.

What Colin makes very clear is the importance of a light touch. “Pencil Blend” reduces the need for pressure when blending, which can result in waxy layers that you can't penetrate.

Blending Tips with Zestit

1. Build your layers using as little pressure as possible. Practice combining Zestit as your final blending process. You can add layers on top of an already Zestit blended layer, but ensure that all of the solvent has evaporated before you do.

2. If you are using an artist brush to blend, use just enough Zestit. How much is just enough? After doing some practice pieces, you will know. It’s better to use too little than too much. Depending on the area I am blending, I sometimes dip a torchon into the Zestit fluid, let it soak in for a few seconds, and then wipe any excess off with a paper towel. Note that you will need several torchons depending on the colors being blended. Dark colors will transfer to the torchon and contaminate lighter colors, especially whites.

3. I have also found that silicon blenders with a very light coating of Pencil Blend work well. But again, I can’t stress enough the need to do some practice pieces.

   
   

I thought it would be helpful to compile a few of the various steps taken below and add some helpful notes.

Step-by-Step Process for Drawing Marvin the Schnauzer

I always start a portrait by developing the eye. Compartmentalize the eye into its various colored sections. Where the light reflects on the eye, start with a layer of white and add highlights as solid white dots. Reflected light areas can then be dulled with a layer of grey. The cornea is made up of layers of orange, raw sienna, and perylene brown.

Below is the full range of colors I used to produce Marvin's coat.

Faber-Castell Colors Used

• 101 White

• 103 Ivory

• 169 Carput Mortuum

• 230 Cold Grey

• 233 Cold Grey IV

• 181 Payne's Grey

• 199 Black

• 157 Dark Indigo

• 185 Naples Yellow

• 182 Brown Ochre

• 102 Cream

• 109 Dark Chrome Yellow

• 176 Van Dyke Brown

  
  

Getting It Wrong

Now, here’s a little composition challenge for you. What changes would you make to my work at this stage?

Pre Detailing and Finishing

1. Left Eye

2. Left Eyebrow

3. Mustache

4. Ears

5. Forehead

   
   

Marvin the Schnauzer

Artistic License

Let me share my view about artworks: I dislike photo realism. “That’s because you can’t produce it,” I hear you say. You may be right, but it’s not because I can't; it’s because I don’t see the point. If you want accurate realism, take a photo. For me, I want people to know I have created a work of art.

While critiquing the almost finished portrait of Marvin with my greatest critic, my wife Chris, we decided to make changes to all of the five elements listed above.

The most important changes were as follows:

1. Left Eye: Highlight the eye more and add touches of Chinese white.

2. Left Eyebrow: Increase the dark fur behind and above the eyebrow.

3. Mustache: Increase the overall width to align with the ears.

4. Ears: Increase the size and blend the left ear more.

5. Forehead: Slight modifications to raise the forehead slightly.

   
   

In conclusion, creating a portrait of Marvin was a fulfilling experience. It allowed me to express my appreciation for a lovely evening, even if it was cut short. I hope this tutorial inspires you to embark on your own artistic journey, whether it’s creating custom artwork or simply exploring your creativity. Remember, art is not just about perfection; it’s about expression and connection. Happy creating!

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