Rachel Perl shares a collection of colorful pet portraits that express the joy and personality of each animal. Learn more about this artist by visiting her website.
![pastel labrador dog portrait in blue by Rachel Perls](https://www.artsyshark.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Karoo_pastels_8x8.jpg)
“Karoo” pastel, 8″ x 8″
I am fascinated by the psychology of color, what it silently communicates, and how it makes people feel.
![pastel cat portrait in green by Rachel Perls](https://www.artsyshark.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/mint-cat_pastel_10x10-resized.jpg)
“Mint Cat” pastel, 10″ x 10″
I studied studio art in college and was deeply influenced by my professor Wayne Thiebaud and his mastery of color. I was just beginning to understand that color theory is just the tip of the iceberg.
![gouache pet portrait of a dog by Rachel Perls](https://www.artsyshark.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/happy-dog_gouache_8x10.jpg)
“Happy Dog” gouache, 10″ x 8″
While living in upstate New York several years later, I picked up pet portrait painting as a way to ease the homesickness I felt for California, my home state.
![gouache pet portrait of a shaggy dog by Rachel Perls](https://www.artsyshark.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Ziggy_gouache_16x20.jpg)
“Ziggy” gouache, 20″ x 16″
I never considered using natural fur colors like browns and grays; they didn’t do the animals any justice, and they certainly didn’t bring me joy.
![gouache poodle pet portrait by Rachel Perls](https://www.artsyshark.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Ivan_gouache_11x17.jpg)
“Ivan” gouache, 17″ x 11″
I painted in gouache, an opaque watercolor, using turquoises and tangerine, lemon yellows and hot pinks. My tag line was, “Capturing the colorful personality of your pet.”
![pastel pet portrait of a pink dog by Rachel Perls](https://www.artsyshark.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Chili_pastel_10x12.jpg)
“Chili” pastel, 12″ x 10″
I still craved a deeper understanding of color psychology, so I went searching for more education. It took some digging, but I finally found the International Association of Color Consultants and Designers. Their accreditation program, focusing on the multi-disciplinary approach to color, gave me a much broader and deeper understanding of the value of color and its impact on people, especially in the built environment.
![pastel cat portrait in blue by Rachel Perls](https://www.artsyshark.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/serenity_pastel_8x11.jpg)
“Serenity” pastel, 11″ x 8″
My mind was officially blown. I began exploring color for interiors and exteriors, and I pivoted to focus on building an architectural color consulting business. Fifteen years in, my color consulting business was thriving, but I missed the tactile nature of expressing myself with painting and vibrant colors.
![pastel dog portrait by Rachel Perls](https://www.artsyshark.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Honey-pastel-8x10-original-500px.jpg)
“Honey” pastel, 8″ x 10″
Due to limited time and space, I gravitated towards soft chalk pastels as my new, dry painting medium. I could work on a piece for minutes or hours without the lengthy set-up and clean up time needed with tradition wet paints.
![pastel dog portrait of a schnauser by Rachel Perls](https://www.artsyshark.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Nesta_pastel_8x9.jpg)
“Nesta” pastel, 8″ x 9″
Once again, cats and dogs seemed the natural subject matter to imbue with colors. Our pets are all unique individuals—quirky, goofy, soulful, affectionate.
![pastel pet portrait of a border collie by Rachel Perls](https://www.artsyshark.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Cinnamon_pastel_8x10.jpg)
“Cinnamon” (artist’s dog) pastel, 10″ x 8″
When I am able to translate those personality traits through color into a painting that truly represents someone’s beloved pet, I feel joy.
Artist Rachel Perls invites you to follow her on Instagram.
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