I have 13 colours in total, and this should help guide which would be suitable for your pet - of course you can always just pick your favourite And you can always ask if you unsure which colour would suit yours pet.
Under each colour I will summarise what the paint colour is best used for and also whether a photo taken in dark light (like the sort taken inside or on a smart phone) would be suitable.
1) Gold (Yellow Ochre)
The most realistic colour I paint and one of the most popular. It is quite timeless and the perfect mix of traditional and modern. You can see some pencil marks through the paint as it is quite translucent, it is more "glassy" than "creamy" when it is straight out of the paint tube.
It suits almost any animal regardless of colour or type. However is doesn't create the darkest shadows so not really suitable for very dark pets, it could make them look a bit pale and two diminutional.
Colours it suits - White all the way up to Brown, also really suits animals with patches, like a piebald horse.
Colours is doesn't suit - Very dark brown or black.
Lighting in photo - bright daylight to quite dark indoor photo. Very forgiving colour.
Other - Suits people who want a more traditional painting colour, suits any room.
2) Orange (Chrome Orange)
This is a real Orange sorbet colour, very fresh and vibrant. I can get quite rich shadow by double layering the paint. It is another "glassy" paint meaning pencil lines can see spotted occasionally. It is quite a tricky colour to match with a pet, but when it's right it is really really right.
It suits pale animals especially in photos there there is strong directional lighting, such as those taken by a professional photographer with big lights or lovely bright sunlight. It is perfect for animals that are white, cream, peach or palomino.
Colours it suits - white, cream, peach, and maybe a very bright chestnut.
Colours it doesn't suit - Bay horses, brown and black should avoid.
Lighting in photo - Bright lighting, outside daylight.
Other - This colour is perfect for photos where the pet has an expressive face.
3) Bright Blood Orange (Vermillion)
My newest and most unused paint colour. It is a really bright and happy colour. I haven't used this colour in a pet portrait yet, but the background would be quite a salmon pink colour. Covers pencil marks really well.
Would be best suited to a very pale pet, I'm going to test this colour on a white greyhound so the background can be darker than the pet, making it glow.
Colours it suits - White or cream
Colours is doesn't suit - From Peach up to black.
Lighting - bright lighting only, this colour makes beautiful shadows.
Other - Newest colour.
4) Raspberry Red (Cadmium Red)
A really lovely bright colour, perfect for people who want rose pink rather than barbie pink. Pencil lines can see seen slightly through the paint.
It suits smaller pets like snakes, lizards or rodents as detail looks really lovely in this colour. It also suits paler animals.
Colours is suits - Bright coloured reptiles or mammals from white to peach.
Colours is doesn't suit - darker coloured animals
Lighting - no harsh shadows, suits softer indoor lighting.
Other - This colour does now show shadows very well as it is quite a light tone.
5) Rich Strawberry Swirl Pink (Alizarin Crimson)
One of the most versatile colours I paint in, suits any pet, in any colour. It covers pencil lines really well so there is a smooth finish. I love this colour - it is just so SO pink. It has the perfect amount of richness to make nice dark shadows and the brightness for lighter animals too.
Colours is suits - any and every colour animal, might not be light enough for animals that are black and white while in bad lighting.
Colours it doesn't suit - none
Lighting - Any lighting, very forgiving and versatile.
Other - This colour works great for any animal.
6) Magenta
A very bright girly colour. Good pencil mark coverage so there is a nice smooth finish. Has a nice richness without being dark so perfect for darker coloured animals.
Colours it suits - would suit any colour but mid-tone to darker colours would be best.
Colours it doesn't suit - none
Lighting - any lighting, very forgiving.
Other - this colour goes nicely with the Rich Strawberry Swirl Pink and the Purple, so if you want more than one colour these will go together.
7) Purple (Cobalt Violet)
One of the most popular colours I use. Vibrant without being too girly, looks quite modern and polished. The paint stays wet for quite a long time to I can achieve a really smooth appearance by blending the colours. Good pencil mark coverage.
Suits any animal but very pale coloured pets do not look their best in this colour - it is just too dark for them.
Colours it suits - apricot brown to black look amazing in this colour. Pets that have patches like piebald horses or dogs with a lot of different tones in their faces look really nice in this colour.
Colours it doesn't suit - white or cream coloured pets
Lighting - any lighting.
Other - details such as collars or bridles look especially nice in this colour. It is very dark in its rawest form so small details can be very fine tuned.
8) Baby Blue (Cobalt Blue)
A paler softer blue with enough darkness for detail to still come across. A good colour for paler pets that you still want blue, it won't add too much darkness to their colouring. A darker version of this colour is the Phthalo blue at number 11.
Colours it suits - white to brown
Colours it doesn't suit - dark brown or black
Lighting - good daylight
Other - not the darkest blue, but a beautiful tone. Good for photos in strong sunlight.
9) Prussian Blue
Very rich blue with a slightly green tone to it. The darker shadows are very very dark making it perfect for tricky darker coloured pets. It is perfect for animals that are a bit fluffy or those with patches in their coats - such as piebald horses.
Colours it suits - white to black
Colours it doesn't suit - none
Lighting - any lighting
Other - very good for depicting movement or longer hair.
10) Ultramarine Blue (French Ultramarine)
A softer more purple toned blue than the others this is the perfect blue for pets with really sweet faces while still being a rich colour.
Colours is suits - white to black.
Colours it doesn't suit - none
Lighting - any lighting
Other - not quite as dark as my other blues, so if you like softer lines go for this one.
11) Phthalo Blue
A true primary blue, very dark straight out of the tube. Similar in colour to the cobalt blue but a darker version. Really good colour for detail especially eye detail as it adds a lot of depth. Not completely suitable for very pale pets as it can make them too dark.
Colours it suits - peach to black.
Colours it doesn't suit - White or cream
Lighting - any lighting
Other - a darker version of the Cobalt blue, just depends how "dramatic" or "soft" you want your painting to be.
12) Teal or Turquoise (Prussian Green)
I fully admit to this being my favourite colour. I love them all equally, but this one is a little bit more special to me than the rest. Every pet has "their colour" that they just own and my little fat Irish cob completely owns this one. It suits him in every way.
Colours it suits - white to black
Colours it doesn't suit - none
Lighting - any lighting
Other - collar and bridle details look really gorgeous in this colour.
13) Emerald Green (Phthalo Green)
This was a colour I hadn't ever used before, it was sitting in my art box unloved because of my devotion to my turquoise green so when I finally painted these fish in the emerald green I was very pleasantly surprised. It is a really nice jewel green rather than the more "forest green" I had been expecting. It is quickly becoming one of my favourites.
It is really striking and was a big hit at a few of the shows I have done.
Colours it suits - white to black
Colours it doesn't suit - none
Lighting - good outdoor lighting works best.
Other - really suits more quirky paintings because of its bright fun colour.
See more examples on my Facebook page or my flickr page
