I start with a color photo of the dog and make a black and white print (on white typing paper--or computor paper) enlarging it to the finished size. Now outline the black and white areas on the print with a black sharpie pen. When you turn this paper over you will have the pattern. Trace these areas to lite heat and bond. Pick your fabrics according to the animals color. When tracing the pattern, you have to decide which areas will overlap--building the picture from the farthest away to the front. I shade the finished image with Derwent water color pencils and spray with a fixative. I hope this helps. Deltaquilter