Achieving true likeness
You know your dog better than anyone! That adorable head tilt for ‘treats’, their playful pounces, those twitching legs in dreamland, or their soulful gaze resting on your lap. These are the precious details I love to hear about before I begin your hand-drawn dog portrait. Sharing these insights helps me capture their true essence. Photos and videos are also invaluable, showing me their muddy adventures, cuddles with the cat, or that trophy giant stick! Whatever makes your dog uniquely them, tell me – it allows me to infuse life and soul into your artwork, creating a truly special dog portrait.
Choosing the right photos
Once I have a good feel for your dog’s personality, we’ll work together to select the perfect reference photo for your custom dog portrait. The right photo is crucial for capturing their true likeness and striking detail. Their eyes especially hold so much of their spirit, so a clear photo of them is vital. For guidance on selecting the best images for me to draw from, please see my photo guide.
Choosing the right size
Consider where your dog portrait will bring the most joy – as a statement piece in your living room or a welcoming sight in your hallway. The setting often dictates the ideal size. Larger portraits allow for incredible detail, creating a realism that feels like your dog could leap right out! My range of sizes ensures there’s a perfect fit for every home and budget. For help choosing, my size guide offers further information
Gifting a dog portrait
As a dog owner myself, I understand how important your dog is to you: the companionship and love received are without parallel. I take great pride in having the responsibility of crafting that perfect pet portrait for you or a member of your family.
If your portrait is a surprise gift for a loved one, then I’ll take great care to maintain that element of surprise for you. Every part of the process will be handled discreetly so that you can enjoy that magical moment your loved one unwraps their portrait and sees it for the first time.
Sadie with her portrait
Delivered on time and right to your door
Once your dog portrait is commissioned, I’ll keep you updated throughout the creation process. Before shipping, I’ll email you a photo to ensure you’re 100% delighted. Your artwork will be carefully packaged to arrive safely, whether you’re here in the UK or anywhere else in the world.
Framing Advice
To beautifully complete your dog portrait, professional framing is highly recommended. If you’re local, I’m happy to arrange this with my trusted local framer. For those further afield, your portrait will come with helpful framing and care advice. You can also find more details in my framing guide.
How long does the whole process take
My lead times vary, especially leading up to Christmas, so please get in touch early for festive gifts. Dog portraits make wonderful presents for all occasions – birthdays, weddings, anniversaries. Contact me to discuss your needs and current availability. I always strive to accommodate where possible.
Need a quick gift? Buy a gift voucher
For a thoughtful and timely gift, a pet portrait gift voucher is ideal! It allows your loved one to be involved in the creation of a portrait of their cherished companion. It’s the gift of an experience and a lasting piece of art. Click below for more information and to purchase a voucher.
Professional prints of your portrait
Enjoy your cherished dog portrait in multiple ways with professional prints. Perhaps for your own home after gifting the original, or to brighten your workspace. My print service allows you to do just that. See my pet portrait prints page for ordering details.
Just a quick note - I know how precious your pet portrait will be to you, and so prints of your portrait will only ever be available to you. I never create mass production prints of any of my pet portrait commissions.
Art materials
Your hand-drawn dog portrait will be created using only the finest, archival-quality professional art materials, ensuring its longevity. I work in pastels, which offer beautiful soft textures perfect for capturing the fluffy details of your dog’s fur with photorealistic detail. Even black fur contains a spectrum of colours, and pastels allow me to capture those nuances, as well as the vibrant colours reflected in your dog’s captivating eyes.
For a more comprehensive list of the materials I use, visit my art materials page.
Frequently asked questions
For answers to common questions about my pet portrait service, please visit my FAQs page. If you can’t find what you’re looking for, don’t hesitate to get in touch – I’m always happy to help!
