6 Week Pet Portrait Acrylics Course

Six Week Acrylic Pet Portrait Course with Ruth McGrady

A friendly, confidence building art course for adults of all abilities. Bring your favourite pet to life on canvas in this relaxed and inspiring sixweek

course. Whether you’re a complete beginner or already painting, you’ll learn clear, achievable techniques for capturing character, expression, and likeness using acrylics. Each 2 hour session blends demonstration, guided practice, and individual support — all in a warm, encouraging studio environment.

You will also receive a pack that will include a print out of a colour wheel, cat/ dog dimensions, mediums to use for texture. We will be using acrylics on the particular course; the canvas, paint and brushes are all provided as part of your course fee. The only thing you will need to bring is a sketch pad and pencils, so you can practice before you paint. These are not included in your course fee.

What You’ll Learn Each Week

Week 1 – Foundations & Simple Shapes

We begin with the essentials: how to see and simplify animal faces using basic shapes, how acrylics behave, and how to build confident sketches. You’ll leave with a strong understanding of proportion and structure — the key to every successful portrait.

Week 2 – Eyes, Nose & Expression

This week focuses on the features that bring a pet to life. You’ll learn simple alignment rules, how to draw expressive eyes, and how to shape the nose and mouth accurately. Perfect for beginners who want clear, gentle guidance.

Week 3 – Fur Techniques & Texture

Discover how to create realistic or stylised fur using layering, drybrush, and direction techniques. You’ll practise short, long, curly, and smooth fur so you feel ready for any breed.

Week 4 – Colour Mixing & Underpainting

Learn how to mix believable fur colours, avoid “muddy” paint, and build depth with an underpainting. This session gives you the confidence to move from drawing into painting with clarity and purpose.

Week 5 – Building the Full Portrait

With your drawing prepared, you’ll begin your final portrait. We block in the main shapes, colours, and shadows, creating a strong foundation that captures your pet’s personality.

Week 6 – Details, Highlights & Finishing Touches

In the final week, you’ll refine your portrait with detail, texture, and subtle highlights. We finish with a friendly group showcase.

What Makes This Course Special

• Beginner friendly with clear, step by step guidance
• Supportive atmosphere where everyone progresses at their own pace
• Professional techniques taught in an accessible, enjoyable way
• Personalised feedback tailored to your skill level
• A finished pet portrait you’ll be proud to take home

Who This Course Is For

• Complete beginners wanting clear, gentle instruction
• Intermediate painters looking to refine their petportrait skills
• Anyone who loves animals and wants to paint them beautifully
• People seeking a creative, relaxing weekly activity

What You’ll Take Away

• A finished acrylic pet portrait
• A toolkit of drawing and painting techniques that you can use to paint any other furry animal.

About Ruth

Originally from Bedfordshire, I now call the beautiful landscapes of Cumbria home. I’ve always been inspired by the natural world — creating artwork that reflects both my place within it and the deep connection people share with their lifelong animal companions.What began as childhood sketches in the Bedfordshire woods turned into a career the day I painted a friend’s dog as a surprise gift. Her happy tears said everything. That single moment opened the door, and I’ve been painting pets professionally ever since.Today, I create heartfelt portraits that honour the joy, personality, and love our animals bring into our lives.