WHAT MAKES A PET PORTRAIT DIFFERENT?
Your photographs are the starting point... not the finished portrait.
A photograph captures a moment. A portrait is about capturing the pet you know and love.
I don’t simply apply a filter to your photo or turn it into a print. I use your photographs as the reference for a carefully drawn portrait, paying close attention to the details that make your pet unmistakably themselves like the glint in their eyes, their expression, markings, fur, and all those little features you’d recognise instantly.
It’s those details that bring a portrait to life. The slightly cheeky expression, the familiar look in their eyes, the way their ears sit, or the markings that you could pick out from a hundred others.
My aim isn’t just to reproduce your photograph. It’s to create a portrait that makes you look at it and think, “That’s my pet.”
FROM YOUR PHOTOGRAPH TO YOUR PORTRAIT
I draw each portrait with your pet as the focus - by this I mean that typically I do not draw the photograph background or reflections in the light catch of the eyes. This is to remove any reference to a specific moment in time and to make the portrait a pure celebration of the subject.
This portrait is of a lovely boxer called Thelma. This was part of a series of four portraits that all complimented each other in pose and composition so although the customers reference doesn't lend itself perfectly to a head and shoulders fade I was able to use a little "artistic license" to draw a portrait that was in line with the other three.
This reference photo wasn't the greatest quality with a lack of fine detail. Whilst it was important to acknowledge the age of the dog shown in the photograph, I also wanted to hint at their younger vitality by adding a little weight, making the eyes a little brighter and cleaning up the greys around the nose and muzzle. I removed the collar as this is an item that places the dog at a place in time (it might have been a collar purchased when the dog was old), also I moved the back feet a little as if drawn as shown in the reference they might be lost in the brown fur.
This is a memorial portrait of a beloved family cockapoo called Ruby. The original photograph was poorly lit from behind, leaving very little detail visible on the front of Ruby. I rebuilt the lighting in the portrait to reveal the character in her face and eyes while keeping her recognisable likeness. I used a high contrast approach to the portrait by using very light coloured strokes on the highlighted fur to give the impression of improved lighting. This is further supported by reducing the size of the pupils and placing high light catches to the eyes, suggesting an overhead light source.
WHICH PETS DO I DRAW?
DOGS
Portraits of any breed, size or age.
HORSES
Individuals or multiple horses together.
OTHER PETS
Rabbits, parrots, goats, chickens, fish, rats, crabs, foxes, sharks, anything...
CATS
From detailed close ups to full portraits.
MULTIPLE PETS? NO PROBLEM
If you have more than one pet but no photos of them together I can draw a composite portrait showing them in the same space in time. This can be an especially meaningful way to memorialise pets that may never even have met.
MEMORIAL PET PORTRAITS
Losing a much-loved pet leaves a space that's difficult to put into words. A portrait can be a simple way of keeping their memory close - capturing the character, expression and little details that made them so special to you.
I can create a portrait from your favourite photograph, even if it's an older photograph or isn't quite perfect. The aim isn't simply to reproduce the image, but to create a piece of artwork that feels like them and gives you something lasting to look back on for years to come.
DON'T HAVE THE PERFECT PHOTOGRAPH?
That's okay. If you have a photograph that means something to you, send it over. I'll always let you know if I think it will work well as a portrait, and in many cases I can work with photographs that aren't technically perfect. It is often helpful to send me multiple reference photos, that way I can incorporate features and details from multiple sources.
WHAT MAKES A GOOD REFERENCE PHOTO?
The better the reference photograph, the more detail I have to work with — but it doesn't need to be perfect. A good photograph gives me a strong starting point, and I'll always let you know if I think there's anything that could cause a problem before you commission.
GOOD LIGHTING
Your pet should ideally be lit from the front, with the light source behind the photographer shining directly onto the pet. This shows lots of fine detail.
EYES CLEARLY VISIBLE
The eyes of your pet are by far the most distinctive feature that says "it's them!". The colour and shape should be clear to see. Lighting helps a lot here.
REASONABLE FOCUS
Badly focused photos have indistinct areas of blurred colour. Your reference should be in good focus so I can make out the subtleties of their coat.
NATURAL EXPRESSION
The best portraits show your pet as you know them. When I say natural expression, so if your spaniel has a goofy look on his face all the time, that's the reference!
FINE DETAIL IN THE COAT
Good lighting and reasonable focus should take care of this, but your photo should ideally show the small coat details that make your pet unique.
TAKEN FROM EYE LEVEL
Sorry knees, but the best reference photos are taken at eye level with your pet. Looking-down portraits can work really well too, but if possible, try to get down to their eye level.
OLDER PHOTOS CAN BE USED
If you only have an old physical photograph, I can usually work from a good scan. Obviously, I can't accept responsibility for an irreplaceable original, so please don't send the only copy you have.
PHONE PHOTOS ARE FINE
Let me qualify this by saying I mean a relatively modern phone, like from the last 10 years or so. A NOKIA 3210 isn't gonna cut the mustard!
DON'T HAVE THE PERFECT PHOTO? IMPERFECT ONES CAN SOMETIMES BE OKAY
Even if your photo is not quite up the ideals I outline above, don't worry, send it to me anyway and I will take a look. I can sometimes use them anyway. Breed and fur reference images can help me to get the fine detail and I am skilled enough to alter poses while still keeping your pet's likeness and personality intact.
COMBINING PHOTO ELEMENTS FROM MULTIPLE REFERENCE PHOTOS
"Maybe you have one photograph that captures your pet's body and pose perfectly and another photo that shows their expression to a tee. No problem, you can send me both and I can use the best elements from each reference to draw the ideal portrait showcasing the best elements of your pet.
HOW THE COMMISSION PROCESS WORKS
SEND YOUR PHOTOS
Submit your reference photographs through the enquiry form.
PAY THE £25 DEPOSIT
Your deposit secures the commission and is deducted from the final price.
I DRAW YOUR PORTRAIT
Your portrait is hand drawn using your photographs as reference.
GET YOUR PROOF
You receive a watermarked proof via email before the portrait is finalised.
REQUEST ADJUSTMENTS
Small changes can be requested if necessary.
CHOOSE YOUR FINISH
Select your final size, print and framing option.
YOUR FINAL INVOICE
The final cost of the finished piece is emailed, minus your deposit.
REDRAW AT LARGE SIZE
For larger sizes, your portrait is retouched in order to maintain quality.
PRODUCED & SHIPPED
The finished portrait is professionally produced and shipped to you.
PORTRAIT OPTIONS
DIGITAL PORTRAIT
A digital portrait is the finished artwork supplied as a high-resolution, print-ready digital file. This was primarily an option for customers in remote locations where shipping is an issue, however, I offer it to all customers. Final artwork is supplied full-size and print-ready via a WeTransfer download link. While I can't be responsible for a third party being used for reproduction of the artwork, I recommend that you use giclée fine-art printing on high quality acid-free papers from a leading manufacturer like Hahnemühle, Arches, or St. Cuthberts Mill.
Digital Portraits start at £75 for a portrait that will reproduce up to 10x8" at 600dpi.
PRICES
Print up to 10x8"
Print up to 30x24"
£75
$99
€87
£100
$136
€116
MULTIPLE PETS
PER ADDITIONAL PET
£30
$40
€35
UNFRAMED FINE-ART PRINT
Unframed fine-art prints are professionally reproduced artwork supplied ready for the customer to frame themselves. All portraits are professionally produced using genuine Lucia Pro pigment ink to giclée print on Hahnemühle paper. The combination of high density pigment ink and acid-free fine-art paper gives an archival rating of up to 200 years.
PRICES
8x6"
10x8"
A4 (11.7x8.3")
A3 (11.7x16.5")
A2 (16.5x23.4")
£90
$120
€105
£100
$133
€116
£120
$159
€140
£140
$186
€163
£160
$212
€186
MULTIPLE PETS
PER ADDITIONAL PET
£30
$40
€35
FRAMED FINE-ART PORTRAIT
This is a complete finished product, using the same uncompromising quality of leading edge ink and paper as in the unframed option - genuine Lucia Pro pigment ink to giclée print on Hahnemühle paper- but also bespoke mounted and framed by a gallery standard professional. Each frame is hand-built specifically for your portrait (no off the peg rubbish here!) and is double sealed (glass to back mount, and frame reverse) to avoid the ingress of any foreign objects or small insects. I offer a choice of custom glazing options - either standard glass or Groglass® Artglass, a museum grade anti-reflective pane.
Both unframed fine-art prints and framed fine-art portraits are priced at standard size options of 8x6", 10x8", A4, A3 and A2. However, if you would prefer a specific size that isn't in my price list, let me know and I will give you a quote.
PRICES
8x6"
10x8"
A4 (11.7x8.3")
A3 (11.7x16.5")
A2 (16.5x23.4")
Standard Glass
Groglass® Artglass
£139
£159
$185
$210
€162
€185
Standard Glass
Groglass® Artglass
£179
£199
$237
$264
€208
€231
Standard Glass
Groglass® Artglass
£219
£239
$291
$317
€254
€277
Standard Glass
Groglass® Artglass
£259
£289
$344
$418
€300
€335
Standard Glass
Groglass® Artglass
£319
£359
$423
$476
€370
€416
MULTIPLE PETS
PER ADDITIONAL PET
£30
$40
€35
SHIPPING
Where possible, shipping within the UK is fulfilled by Parcel Force 24hr Tracked. For international orders I use the fastest available reputable courier and supply the customer with tracking information as it becomes available. Shipping from the UK to the USA is generally quoted at 7 to 14 days.
UK SHIPPING
UNFRAMED
£10
FRAMED
£25
INTERNATIONAL SHIPPING
UNFRAMED
$80
€60
FRAMED
$109
€93
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
I am still exporting commissioned portraits to the USA. The new import tariff rules will incur two fees, the tariff itself and also a MPF (Merchandise Processing Fee). The tariff is 10% of the total cost including shipping which will be added to the customers invoice, but, I will cover the MPF.
All prices are fully inclusive of labour and VAT.
US and EU prices are approx. For current currency exchange rates check here - https://www.xe.com/currencyconverter/
HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE
PROOF
As soon as the deposit is paid I book you into the next available slot in my diary and contact you with the date so you know exactly when to expect your portrait. I can usually get proofs booked in within 7 days, however, this can be up to 14 on the run up to Christmas.
PRODUCTION AND SHIPPING
For the turnaround from paying your final invoice to receiving your finished portrait I quote up to 3 weeks plus shipping time. It is often faster than this, and occasionally a little longer if papers, pigments or frame materials require restocking.
Where possible, shipping within the UK is fulfilled by Parcel Force 24hr Tracked. For international orders I use the fastest available reputable courier and supply the customer with tracking information as it becomes available. Shipping from the UK to the USA is generally quoted at 7 to 14 days.
SEE THE FINISHED PRODUCT
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
CAN YOU WORK FROM A PHOTO TAKEN ON MY PHONE?
Absolutely. Any Apple or Android phone from the last 10 years is capable of taking a great photo.
WHAT IF I DON'T HAVE A VERY GOOD PHOTOGRAPH?
I can often work with less-than-perfect photographs and make the most of the detail available. If you're in any doubt about the suitability of your photos, get in touch and I'll take a look.
CAN YOU COMBINE TWO OR MORE PHOTOGRAPHS?
I can use different features on the same pet from different reference photographs, i.e. expression and facial details from one photo and pose and fur pattern from a second photo.
CAN YOU DRAW MULTIPLE PETS IN ONE PORTRAIT?
I can take separate photographs of individual pets and draw them in the same portrait. If you would like the pets to show as though they exist in the same space, ideally, the reference photos would show the pet in the same approximate pose, distance from the camera, angle of shot etc. There is a small fee per additional pet.
CAN YOU DRAW A PET THAT HAS PASSED AWAY?
I draw a lot of memorial portraits, they are a beautiful celebration of your beloved pet. Providing you have a reasonable reference photograph I can draw your memorial portrait.
CAN YOU REMOVE COLLARS, LEADS AND OTHER OBJECTS?
Absolutely, in fact I recommend it. By omitting collars and leads and not drawing in the background the pet is disconnected from a specific moment in time and becomes the pure subject of the artwork. Of course, if you would prefer to keep any of these elements in the portrait, you simply have to let me know when booking your commission.
CAN YOU CHANGE THE BACKGROUND?
Yes. I generally do not draw the background of the reference photograph unless requested. I would usually not draw any background at all as this allows for paper texture to work in the negative space of light/white areas of a pets fur. I sometimes use an extrapolation of the pets fur colour as the background which can be requested on booking.
HOW MANY PHOTOS SHOULD I SEND?
There's no strict limit, but I'd recommend sending a few of your favourite photographs if you have them. One might have the best expression, while another might show the coat or markings more clearly. I'll use whichever reference gives me the best information for the finished portrait.
CAN I REQUEST CHANGES TO THE PROOF?
Absolutely, I want you to love your portrait so if there are any parts that aren't quite correct in the proof you can request minor changes. If you supply more than one reference photographs I will contact you to discuss the reference you would prefer to use for the portrait.
If you would like to see a secondary proof drawn from a different reference photograph, I would require a second deposit.
HOW DOES THE £25 DEPOSIT WORK?
When you first book your commission and send your reference photographs, I'll email you an invoice for the £25 deposit. Once the deposit is paid, I'll book you into my diary and give you a date for your proof. The deposit covers part of the time it takes to draw your proof and is deducted from the final invoice for your finished portrait.
HOW LONG DOES A PORTRAIT TAKE?
The proof generally takes around 7 days from payment of the deposit, however, this can increase to 14 days in the run up to Christmas.
DO YOU SHIP INTERNATIONALLY?
I do. I have happy customers from all over the world including UK, Italy, France, North America, Australia and Africa.
MORE QUESTIONS?
If you have a question not answered here then please get in touch, I'm friendly!
