Pet Portrait Starter Kit (MOFP)

When I started drawing in my early 40s I hadn't drawn anything since I was a kid.

I struggled with everything:

- What pencils should I buy?

- How do I choose the right colours?

- How do I get perfect proportions in my drawing?

- How do I create the depth and detail that I want?

Over time, and with A LOT of trial and error, a simple hobby grew into a full-time business, creating products and drawing gorgeous pets from all over the world.

And now I've put everything I've learned into the Pet Portrait Starter Kit!

Whether you want to draw purely for enjoyment, or you like the idea of making an extra income on the side - it's all absolutely possible.

Everything you need to know before you start your pet portrait journey:

Knowing your tools
Save a lot of time and money by knowing the right tools to invest in right from the start!
How to choose a great reference photo
The essential components to look out for in a great reference - AND what to do when there are only less-than-perfect options to choose from!
How to create an accurate outline
3 easy tools you can use to get your outline down on paper (and why none of them are cheating!).
Understanding colours and tonal values
How to ‘see’ the colours in your reference photo, as well as my exact formula for common fur types that you’ll use again and again!
Building a base and layering
The foundation for working with coloured pencils.
Learn how you adjust your colours, build depth and contours, and add detail to your drawing.

Estimated time to complete: 1 week

In as little as 8 weeks, you'll be able to pull together everything you’ve learned to create your first pet portrait from start to finish.

You'll get to practice all the techniques you've learned during the course, from creating your outline to building up layers of depth and detail.

You can either challenge yourself and do it on your own, or follow along with me where I show you every step.

Think you could never draw this cat on your own?

You can and you will! By using all the foundational skills you've built in the first 3 modules.

You'll be amazed by how far you've come!

Let me explain how by putting that price in context…

If you decide to open up for commissions one day, it would not be unreasonable to charge more than AU$439 for a single portrait.

For my first official commission (remember, all the way from Alabama US?), I charged AU$400 - for my first commission!

So one or two good commissions could pay for the entire course!

In fact, the techniques and skills you learn in this course could easily be worth hundreds if not thousands of dollars a year. When you look at it that way, AU$439 is a small investment in what could be a long and rewarding creative future.

How long will it take me to go through the course?
If you're able to set aside just 3 hours per week to work through the 3 modules, you'll be able to complete them all in under 8 weeks!

There are about 40 hours of video material included in the course but you can approach that entirely at your own pace and in your own time.

I always recommend scheduling in time to practice regularly to stay on track - whether that's practicing an hour a day or 3 hours every weekend is entirely up to you!
When can I get started?
Right away! You’ll get your login details within a few minutes of signing up.
Do I need to complete the course from start to finish?
Not at all! This is a self-paced course and you can access any of the tutorials and resources whenever you’re ready.

I’d recommend starting with Part 1 Drawing Essentials just so that you hit the ground running with all the basics, but then after that you’re free to complete the course in whatever order suits you.

All the pdfs and supporting material are downloadable for you to keep as well.
Will I need to buy any pencils for the course?
To get similar results, I recommend you use the same pencils that I use, which are a mix of Faber Castell Polychromos, Caran d’Ache Pablos and a handful of Luminance.

But don’t go out and buy a full set! Just buy the individual colours, it’s far more economical that way. All of my tutorials have a materials list so you’ll know exactly what you’ll need before you start.

If you’ve already got a full set of another good quality brand, you’ll be fine to use the equivalent colours from that set - but just bear in mind the results may differ.
What paper do I need for the course?
Great question. The drawing surface you use makes a huge difference to the result and I always recommend using a high quality artist paper for your portrait.

My favourite surface to draw on is Grafix drafting film and so I use that a lot in the course. It’s super smooth and holds the pencil beautifully. It’s so versatile and allows for all the crisp details that I love so much!

The other surface I use in the course is Clairefontaine Pastelmat.
Will the course cover pastel pencils?
No, the course will focus exclusively on colour pencils.
I'm a complete beginner - will I still be able to follow?
Yes! This course is designed to help people who are just starting out with colour pencils as well as those with a little more experience but need help getting to the next level.
Is this a membership or a once-off purchase?
You'll get LIFETIME ACCESS to the course platform, the Facebook community and all the supporting resources and materials when you sign up for the Pet Portrait Starter Kit.

It's a one-time purchase with no ongoing fees!

“Yeah but, I don’t have time right now.
I get it, time is a big factor when you’re thinking of signing up for a course.

I've given the estimated time to complete the 3 modules as 8 weeks because, if you schedule in just 3 hours per week and stick to it - it can be done!

But the Pet Portrait Starter Kit is 100% self-paced, you can take as long or as short a time as you need to complete it - it will still be there on the course platform when you’re ready.

Also it was with time-poor people like you in mind that I created ‘short/fast’ versions of ALL my tutorials!

You don’t have to watch the full tutorials and draw along with me if you don’t have the time or choose not to - because I also created ‘short/fast’ versions where you can watch the whole process in a fraction of the time but still have a good understanding of the colours I’m using and the whole process.
“Yeah but, I don’t have a full set of colour pencils.”
Not a problem. You don't need a full set!

In fact, I recommend you don’t buy a full set as you’ll end up spending money on heaps of colours you’ll never use.

Most art shops and online stores sell pencils individually, so you can just buy the colours that you’ll need. Which makes setting up your pencil collection a lot cheaper.

I use a mix of Faber Castell Polychromos and Caran d’Ache Pablos and Luminance pencils and I’ll send you a list of my ‘Core Pencils & Materials’ as soon as you sign up for the course.
“Yeah but, I'm not that great at drawing.”
I don't believe you need 'natural talent' in order to draw well.

You just need the curiosity and the motivation to try it - and trust me, I can teach you the rest.

Maybe you used to draw as a kid but haven't picked up a pencil in years.

Maybe you've never tried it in your life but have always been curious.

Or maybe you just love the idea of sitting down to create something that will bring you (or someone else) a little joy.

If any of these sound you, you're in the right place!

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