Behind the Drawing – The Making of My Miniature Schnauzer Sticker
How one sly pup helped me find my way back to art
Every sticker I create tells a story—and for this one, it's personal. Here's a behind-the-scenes look at how my Miniature Schnauzer design came to life, from messy beginnings to the final expressive face you see in my shop. (For the record, I don’t use AI in my drawings. Someone thought my Frenchie was—but nope, it’s all drawn by hand with care.)
✏️ Step 1: The Sketch
This first version came after years of not drawing. I was rusty, unsure, and still figuring out where I wanted to go with my style. You can see the stiffness, the awkward shapes—but also, the intent. I wanted that scruffy, confident Schnauzer energy to come through.
🎨 Step 2: The Midway Point
After revisiting the drawing and gaining more confidence, I reshaped the face, adjusted the eyes, and refined the pose. The beard became more expressive, the fur more intentional. He started to look more like the spunky Schnauzer I had in mind—clever, a little smug, and full of personality.
🖼️ Step 3: The Final Sticker
I thought the midway version was the final. But after sitting with it, I realized I could do better—I could push myself to make it the best I could. So I went back in, refined the details, and added that final layer of polish. It may still not be perfect, but I know I went the extra mile. Cleaned up, bold-lined, and full of attitude—this version became the very first dog in my store. The charm remains, but now with a polished finish. He's still sly, still expressive, and still my favorite little guy.
💬 Why I Share This
It's easy only to show the polished version of our work. But behind every finished piece is a messy, uncertain beginning—and a whole lot of growth. I share this to remind anyone just starting or picking things back up: your progress matters. Let it be imperfect. Let it be real.
If you enjoyed this peek behind the scenes, check out more designs in my shop or read the full story in my blog titled “Meet the Frenchie Who Thinks He’s #1”—yes, the very same one someone once thought was AI (spoiler: he’s not).
P.S. I’m publishing this on what would’ve been my dad’s 67th birthday. He always believed I should do something with my art, and this little sticker was the beginning of honoring that wish. Thanks for being part of it.