The British Shorthair is the cat that inspired the Cheshire Cat in Alice in Wonderland. Look at one and you'll see why, that round face, the perpetual half-smile, the air of knowing something you don't. Lewis Carroll didn't have to invent much.
These cats weigh 4-8 kg and have a stocky, cobby build that makes them look like fluffy bowling balls. But there's nothing comical about a British Shorthair in a painting. They sit there like they've been doing it for generations. Which, given the breed's Roman-era origins in Britain, isn't far off.
The Perfect Portrait Face
Everything about the British Shorthair face works in an oil composition. The round head with its full cheeks catches light evenly. The large, round copper or golden eyes create two warm focal points that anchor the whole painting. And that dense, plush coat, short but incredibly thick, has a soft, even texture that reads as velvet under warm lighting.
The British Blue is the most famous variety. That blue-grey coat against a dark classical background, with those big copper eyes glowing, it's one of the most striking combinations we paint.
Beyond Blue
Lilac, cream, chocolate, black, white, tabby, calico, British Shorthairs come in almost every color. Each one creates a different mood. Cream and lilac are soft and dreamy. Black is dramatic. White pops against the dark background like fresh snow.
Calm Rulers
This breed does not do drama. They sit. They observe. They occasionally deign to acknowledge your presence. In a painting, that calm self-possession becomes genuine authority. See it at getnobly.com. Free preview.
