animal paintings - Renso Art

Soft pastel painting (pet portrait)

This one was painted live in Youtube

A Pastel Memory: The Story Behind a Pet Portrait Pastel Painting

It started with a single photograph—an old, slightly faded picture of Max with kind eyes and a playful smile. His owner, Elena, had sent it to me with a simple request: “Can you bring him back to life in a pet portrait pastel painting?”

There was something in her words that struck me. Max was more than just a pet; he was a companion, a best friend, a piece of her heart. And now, through my pastels, it was my job to bring his spirit back to the canvas.

I began with soft strokes, mapping out the gentle curve of his face. Using warm ochres and golden yellows, I laid the base for his fur, blending the colors with my fingertips until they melted seamlessly into one another. Soft pastels are magical that way—layer upon layer, they breathe life into every detail.

As I worked, I imagined Max as he must have been: tail wagging, ears perked, eyes filled with unconditional love. His coat took shape with flicks of burnt sienna and creamy highlights, creating the illusion of soft fur. But it wasn’t until I reached his eyes that I truly felt his presence.

Using delicate strokes of amber and deep brown, I carved out the emotion in his gaze. A tiny dot of white pastel at the center of each eye gave them a lifelike sparkle. Suddenly, Max wasn’t just a drawing—he was looking back at me.

When I finished the portrait, I hesitated. Would Elena see what I saw? Would she feel the warmth, the love, the memories woven into every pastel stroke? I wrapped the painting carefully and sent it off, holding my breath as I waited for her response.

A few days later, an email arrived.

“I have no words. It’s as if Max is here with me again. Thank you for giving me this gift.”

I smiled, my fingers still dusted with pastel. This was why I painted—not just to create art, but to bring memories to life. A pet portrait pastel painting is more than a picture; it’s a story, a heartbeat, a moment frozen in time. And for those who have loved and lost, it’s a way to hold on, just a little longer.

Whispers of the Savannah: Painting a Lion with Soft Pastels

This was painted live in Youtube

painting a lion with soft pastels

Whispers of the Savannah: The Art of Animal Paintings in Soft Pastels

The moment I laid eyes on the lion’s photograph, I knew this painting would be different. There was something in his gaze—wise, powerful, yet calm—that demanded to be captured, not just in color, but in soul. With a deep breath, I reached for my soft pastels, ready to bring this magnificent creature to life.

I started with a simple sketch, light strokes mapping out the proud structure of his face. His eyes—piercing and golden—became my anchor. If I could get those right, everything else would fall into place.

With my fingers dusted in warm ochres and deep umbers, I built the foundation of his fur. The soft pastels melted into the paper like sun-kissed earth, their pigment rich and vibrant. I worked from dark to light, layering burnt sienna and hints of crimson into the shadows of his mane, feeling the energy of the wild flow through each stroke.

The mane itself was a challenge—chaotic yet graceful. I let my pastels dance, flicking upward in bold strokes of caramel and deep chestnut, mimicking the way the wind might tousle his fur in the heart of the savannah. With every layer, his presence became stronger, his roar almost audible in the silence of my studio.

And then, the eyes.

Using golden yellows and warm ambers, I shaped their depth, adding the smallest touch of white for that spark of life. They stared back at me now, intense and unwavering. A shiver ran down my spine—he was watching. He was alive.

For a moment, I hesitated. Was it done? Could I add more? I softened the highlights on his nose, defined the whiskers with a pastel pencil, and deepened the shadows under his jaw.

Then, I stepped back.

There he was—majestic, untamed, eternal.

I set my pastels down, my fingers stained with the colors of the wild. The lion’s spirit was no longer just in the photograph. It was here, on my canvas, in my hands, in the very air around me.

And that, I realized, was the magic of animal paintings—not just capturing their form, but their very essence.