Pet portraits are among the most emotionally meaningful commissions I paint. Whether you’re celebrating a companion who’s still by your side or honoring one who’s no longer here, a custom painting captures something that photographs can’t — the warmth, the personality, the felt presence of an animal you love.
I paint pet portraits in watercolor, acrylic, and gouache. My style is expressive rather than photorealistic — I’m capturing who your pet is, not producing a copy of a photograph. Loose brushwork, vivid color, and a focus on gesture and personality are what define these paintings.
If you’re thinking about commissioning one, here’s everything you need to know.
Choosing the Right Photos
The reference photos you provide are the foundation of the portrait, so this step matters. Here’s what makes a good reference.
Lighting matters most. Natural light is dramatically better than flash photography. If you can, take photos near a window or outdoors on an overcast day. Flash photos flatten features and wash out color — they give me much less to work with.
Capture their personality. The photos I love working from aren’t the ones where the pet is sitting perfectly still and staring at the camera. They’re the candid ones — the mid-yawn, the ear-cocked head tilt, the full-body stretch, the sleeping sprawl, the moment of alertness when they hear a squirrel. These are the images that feel like your pet.
Multiple angles help. Even if we agree on one main reference photo, additional shots from different angles help me understand the animal’s coloring, proportions, and markings more accurately. Three to five good photos are ideal.
Resolution matters. Camera phone photos are fine as long as they’re reasonably sharp and well-lit. Avoid heavily filtered, cropped-too-tight, or blurry images if possible. If you only have older, lower-quality photos — perhaps of a pet who has passed — send me what you have. I’ve worked with challenging references before and I’m always honest about what I can achieve.
The Process
The commission process for pet portraits follows the same structure as all my commissions, but with a few specific touches.
After you reach out with your photos and your vision, I’ll provide a quote based on the size, medium, and complexity of the portrait. Once we agree on the details and I receive the 50% deposit, I begin.
I typically start with a light pencil study to establish the composition and proportions. Then I build the painting in layers — starting with broad washes of the background and the animal’s general form, then progressively adding detail, shadow, and the specific markings and features that make your pet recognizable.
I’ll share a progress photo after the initial layers are down and again when I’m nearing completion. At each stage, you can provide feedback — “the ears look a little too big,” “his coloring is a bit warmer than that,” “can you make the eyes a touch brighter?” These adjustments are a normal and expected part of the process.
Background Options
I offer three main background approaches for pet portraits.
Simple color wash — a soft, blended watercolor background in one or two colors that complement your pet’s coloring. This keeps the focus entirely on the animal and gives the painting a clean, contemporary look. This is my most popular option.
White/minimal background — the pet is painted as a vignette against the white paper, with soft edges that fade into nothing. This creates a light, airy feeling and works beautifully for detailed, close-up portraits.
Environmental background — your pet in a specific setting: their favorite chair, a backyard, a beach, a trail. This takes more time and adds to the cost, but it tells a richer story and captures your pet in their world.
Size and Pricing
| Size | Watercolor | Acrylic on Canvas |
| 8×10 (head/bust portrait) | Starting at $400 | Starting at $500 |
| 11×14 (head/bust or full body) | Starting at $650 | Starting at $800 |
| 16×20 (full body or multi-pet) | Starting at $1,200 | Starting at $1,500 |
Multi-pet portraits (two or more animals in one painting) start at the next size tier up. The pricing accounts for the additional complexity of capturing multiple personalities in a single composition.
Memorial Portraits
Some of my most treasured commissions have been memorial portraits of pets who have passed. I approach these with particular care and sensitivity. The goal is to create a painting that feels alive — that captures the vitality, the humor, the warmth of the animal as they were in life, not as a stiff memorial.
If you’re working from limited photos, don’t worry. I’ve painted memorial portraits from phone screenshots, distant vacation photos, and even descriptions paired with a single blurry snapshot. I’ll be honest about what’s possible and always aim to honor the animal’s spirit.
Gifting a Pet Portrait
Pet portrait commissions make extraordinary gifts — for a partner, a parent, a friend, or anyone who loves their animal. I can coordinate the timing for birthdays, holidays, and special occasions, and I can ship directly to the recipient with a handwritten note.
If you’re commissioning a surprise, I’ll communicate only with you throughout the process to keep the secret.
