
Bringing your beloved pets & landscapes to life in pastel.
Custom pet portraits and breathtaking landscapes, lovingly crafted in soft pastel pencil. Capture the heart and soul of your cherished companions and favourite scenes with artwork that lasts a lifetime. Commission your bespoke piece today!
About me
I'm Chris, the artist behind Artwork by Keast. I specialise in creating detailed pastel pencil portraits of beloved pets and stunning landscapes, bringing memories to life through soft, expressive artwork.
With a passion for capturing the unique personality of animals and the beauty of nature, I take great care in every piece to ensure a true-to-life representation that evokes emotion and nostalgia. Whether it's a heartfelt tribute to a cherished pet or a breathtaking scene that holds a special meaning, my goal is to create artwork that you'll treasure forever.
I'm based in Benalla, Victoria and welcome commissions from animal lovers and nature enthusiasts alike.
Some recent work

'Bonnie & Isla' (King Charles Cavaliers)- commissioned January 2024
This dual pet portrait of Bonnie and Isla, the King Charles Cavaliers, was commissioned in January 2024. Created with the highest quality pastels and archival paper, the artwork was designed to ensure exceptional light fastness, preserving the vibrancy and details of the piece for years to come. Every stroke highlights their individual personalities, capturing the playful and affectionate nature of these beloved companions. This portrait serves as a lasting tribute to Bonnie and Isla, beautifully immortalising their presence in a way that will continue to bring joy to their owners.

'Ruby' - July 2023 Not for Sale
This portrait of Ruby, a beloved German Shepherd who has been a cherished family companion for the past 13 years, captures her friendly and gentle nature. The artwork was meticulously created using Faber Castell Polychromos coloured pencils on high-quality Arches 300gsm paper. The use of these premium materials ensures the depth and richness of Ruby’s personality is beautifully conveyed, with every detail thoughtfully rendered to showcase her warmth and loyalty. This portrait serves as a heartfelt tribute to Ruby’s years of companionship and the special bond she shares with her family.

'Lenny' - commissioned August 2024
Lenny, the Border Collie (deceased), presented a unique challenge for this portrait, as I was only provided with one photograph to work from. Despite this, I was able to capture his essence and likeness with careful attention to detail. For anyone considering commissioning a pet portrait, I highly recommend taking multiple close-up photos of your family pet, as this can significantly aid the artist in the process. These photos allow for a better understanding of the pet’s features, expressions, and personality, ultimately resulting in a more accurate and heartfelt piece of art.

'Great Ocean Road' - For Sale
This artwork, inspired by the stunning scenery during a recent road trip between Lorne and Apollo Bay, captures the natural beauty of the coastal landscape. Created on Claire Fontaine pastel mat paper, the piece features a combination of high-quality pastel sticks and pencils to bring the vibrant colours and textures of the scene to life. With dimensions of 84cm x 48cm, the artwork is professionally framed in oak with triple matting, ensuring both elegance and durability. Every measure has been taken to make this piece archival, preserving its vibrancy and detail for years to come. It’s a timeless tribute to the breathtaking views that inspired it.

'Benji' - commissioned November 2024
Benji, a spirited 5-year-old Fox Terrier cross Parson Terrier, is the heart of the farm with his energetic and adventurous spirit. As an outside farm dog, his days are filled with exciting pursuits, from chasing birds to exploring wombat holes. He also keeps a watchful eye out for the feral cat that once called a drain near the farm shed home. His love for the outdoors and curiosity about the world around him make him an unforgettable presence on the farm, always ready for the next adventure.

'Larry' - commissioned July 2024
Larry, the Border Collie, is captured in this original artwork, reflecting the calm yet vigilant nature of a dog who resides on a small farm in North East Victoria. The piece was created using a variety of pan pastels and pastel pencils, skilfully blending the medium to bring out the subtle textures and expressions that make Larry so unique. The artwork is rendered on 100% natural, pH-neutral, and acid-free paper, ensuring its longevity. Notably, no fixatives were used in the creation of this piece, allowing the natural qualities of the pastels to remain untouched and vibrant. This portrait is a true celebration of Larry’s life on the farm.

'Ziggy' - commissioned January 2025
Ziggy the Chocolate Labrador now deceased.
Materials used: A variety of Pan Pastels, Pastel pencils and Pastel sticks on Claire Fontaine 'light grey' pastelmat paper.

The 'Waddlers' of Phillip Island - SOLD
This framed artwork beautifully captures the charm of the fairy penguins, the smallest breed of penguin in the world, standing at just 25-30 cm tall. Native to the coastlines of southern Australia and New Zealand, the largest colony of these delightful penguins can be found on Phillip Island. The piece, measuring 90cm x 48cm, brings their endearing character and natural beauty to life. Professionally framed and ready for display, this artwork is available for purchase, offering a unique and captivating addition to any collection or space.

'Magpie the year of the Pies 2023' - For Sale
"Magpie - 2023: The Year of the Pies" is a tribute to the Collingwood Football Club’s triumphant victory in the 2023 AFL Premiership. This artwork celebrates the spirit of the Magpies, capturing the energy and pride of the moment. Created on Claire Fontaine pastel mat paper (from France), the piece combines vibrant pan pastels (from the USA) with layers of texture and detail, achieved through Stabilo Carbothello and Faber Castell pastel pencils (from Germany). The artwork is professionally framed with a sleek blackwood outer and triple matting, ensuring its archival quality. With dimensions of 48cm x 38cm, this piece is available for purchase, offering a timeless reminder of the Pies' unforgettable win.

'Got my eye on you' - For Sale
The Eagle Owl is one of the world’s largest and most formidable owls, with a wingspan stretching up to 6 feet. Known for its impressive size and striking bright orange eyes, it can live up to 20 years in the wild and an astonishing 60 years in captivity. As an incredibly skilled and powerful predator, the Eagle Owl commands respect in the animal kingdom. The gaze of this majestic bird is intense, and if you look closely at the artwork, you might even spot a special sparkle in the background, adding an extra layer of mystery to its watchful eyes. Be cautious—this magnificent creature has its eye on you.
What my clients are saying.
Discover why pet lovers and art enthusiasts cherish their custom pastel portraits and landscapes. Hear from those who have turned their special moments into timeless artwork.
How To Commission A Portrait
Step 1. Choose a photo of your pet. preferably close up, clear and well lit.
Step 2. Send me your photo/s and let me know the specific date your portrait is needed by.
Step 3. Once details are decided on, a $100 non-refundable deposit is required to hold your place for a commission.
Please read below for tips on how to choose the best photo for your pet portrait.
Choosing Your Photo
It is very important that you choose a photo of your pet that is well lit, close up and in focus (if using an iphone select portrait mode). It's not always easy to capture a great photo of our pets and we're certainly not all professional photographers, but having a good photo is essential for me to capture a true likeness of your beloved pet.
I am willing to consider working with whatever photo you choose, so long as it is understood that my work will reflect to some degree the quality of the reference photo.
Tips For Taking A Photo For Commission
Go outside where there is good natural light (avoid bright sunny days, which will help with too much sheen on the animal fur and avoid squinting eyes).
Kneel to the level to avoid awkward compositions.
Get close and personal! Cropping far away photos often results in a great loss of detail.
Pride In My Artwork
It is incredibly important to me that each client is happy with their pet portrait.
I can keep you posted at each stage of the artwork if you wish to see the artwork come to life. Please keep in mind that as an artist I apply my own style and do not aim to fully replicate the photo but, rather, I try to capture the likeness and character of your pet.
Many hours are spent on making your pet come alive on paper and I only use the very best materials to ensure that your portrait will last and retain its colour (no fixatives are used). All of my portraits are professionally framed to prevent smudging and ensure it remains in its original condition.