Most of the portraits seen here are memorial pieces. The portrait should have all the details that made the animal special to them and not just an accurate physical likeness.
Step 1.
Step 2 and 3.
Step 4.
Finished portrait #1
Finished portrait #2
Custom Needle Felted Wool Portraits
1. Reference & Planning
I talk with the client about their pet’s personality and key features (favorite pose, expression, ear tilt). After photos are submitted, we review them together to confirm lighting and color accuracy. If an image is blurry or missing details, I use additional reference images of similar dogs to fill in what’s needed.
I talk with the client about their pet’s personality and key features (favorite pose, expression, ear tilt). After photos are submitted, we review them together to confirm lighting and color accuracy. If an image is blurry or missing details, I use additional reference images of similar dogs to fill in what’s needed.
2. Materials & Base Structure
I select (and sometimes dye) fibers like a painter builds a palette. I stretch and staple linen to the back of the frame, then needle-felt coarse core wool to establish the overall shape, gesture, and proportions.
I select (and sometimes dye) fibers like a painter builds a palette. I stretch and staple linen to the back of the frame, then needle-felt coarse core wool to establish the overall shape, gesture, and proportions.
3. Eyes
I kiln-fire custom glass cabochons, reverse-paint and heat-set them, then glue them into place and build core wool around them. Interesting fact: because of the glass’s curvature, the pupils appear to follow you no matter what angle you view them from.
I kiln-fire custom glass cabochons, reverse-paint and heat-set them, then glue them into place and build core wool around them. Interesting fact: because of the glass’s curvature, the pupils appear to follow you no matter what angle you view them from.
4. Color Layers & Finish
I add colored fibers in thin layers, blending as needed. When finished, I sign the linen and prepare the piece for shipping.
I add colored fibers in thin layers, blending as needed. When finished, I sign the linen and prepare the piece for shipping.
