Watercolor for Beginners: Lesson 4 – Mini Pet Portrait Paint-Along!
Paint Your First Pet Portrait (Yes, You Can!)
In this final beginner lesson, we’ll put all the skills you’ve learned into practice with a mini pet portrait project. You’ll paint alongside me in real time as we walk through a simplified version of my professional pet portrait process. No pressure—just relaxing music, a cute dog face, and some creative fun.
🎥 Watch the full paint-along video on YouTube: Lesson 4 Video!
Download the sketch template: Link to sketch
What You’ll Learn in This Lesson
✅ How to paint from a reference photo
✅ Applying water control, layering, and brush techniques
✅ A simple step-by-step approach to painting a pet portrait
✅ Confidence and flow while painting side by side with a real artist
💡 This is just the beginning! In future lessons, we’ll dive deeper into fur texture, noses, eyes, and all the juicy details that bring pet portraits to life.
What You’ll Need
Here are the supplies I recommend for this lesson (Amazon affiliate links included):
Brushes: Watercolor Brushes Size 2 Round & 6 Round - Silver Black Velvet is my personal favorite brand: Grab these here!
100% Cotton Watercolor Paper: Arches 100% Cotton 140lb Cold Pressed
Paints: Paynes Gray, Burnt Umber, VanDyke Brown, Alizarin Crimson, Ultramarine Blue
Photo Reference (provided in video)
Download the dog sketch template here: Sketch
✨ Additional Supplies: Masking tape, clean water, paper towels, pencil, eraser
How This Lesson Works
Relaxing paint-along format
No talking – just music and painting
Follow my movements and techniques in real time (feel free to pause the video as often as needed)
Use the downloadable sketch to transfer, trace, or freehand the dog portrait
Great for practicing water control, soft layering, and brush precision
This mini portrait is designed to be beginner-friendly—a simplified version of the techniques I use in full pet portrait commissions.
Next Steps
Watch the full video on YouTube: Lesson 4 Video!
Download the sketch template: Sketch Link!
Tag me on Instagram when you finish! I’d love to see your version. @libbyallexstudio
💬 Comment below: What part of your pet portrait turned out best?
👉 Ready to level up? Stay tuned for future lessons where we’ll dive deeper into painting fur, eyes, and noses like a pro.