How It Works – Commission Your Pet Portrait
Commission your very own pet portrait in 4 easy steps.
Follow the step-by-step chart below for an overview of the process. Read in full about the commissioning process for our pet portraits in oils or pencil.
How It Works
Step 1 – Choose a Photo
Select a clear, high-quality photo of your pet we can help!
Step 2 – Place a Deposit
We will request a deposit to save your space in our list.
Step 3 – We Create the Artwork
We draw or paint your portrait and keep you up to date at all times.
Step 4 – Receive Your Portrait
Approve your portrait, pay the final total, we then ship worldwide!
Pencil drawing of Milo by Melanie.
Step 1: Choose a Photo
Choosing the perfect photo is an important first step. We recommend selecting your favorite image — one that really captures your pet’s character, whether it’s a cheeky expression, their soulful eyes, or simply a pose that feels so them. The clearer and more natural the photo, the better the result.
If your pet has sadly passed away, don’t worry — just send us everything you have. We’ll go through them with care and help you decide which one will work best for your portrait. You can find more guidance on what makes a great reference image on our Photography Tips page.
Step 2: Place a Deposit
Once you are happy to go ahead, we will ask for a small deposit to secure your space in our portrait schedule. This confirms your booking and allows us to begin planning your artwork. We will stay in touch every step of the way, from layout ideas to final approval.
Oil painting detail by Nicholas.
Step 3: We Create the Artwork
Once your portrait is booked in, we place you into our private commissions lists which you can access via a provided link once the deposit has been made. We have a waiting list for our portraits, and if you would like it by a special date, please let us know.
Nicholas paints all of the oil portraits on canvas, and I draw all of the pencil portraits on handmade Italian paper. We work together in our garden studio with Lily, our Tibetan Terrier, usually curled up nearby on one of her many beds here!
Step 4: Final Approval, Final Payment, and Delivery
When your portrait is finished, we take clear photos and email or message them over for you to see. If there’s anything you would like adjusted, we can make tweaks at this stage before it’s packed and sent. We then send the final payment invoice at this stage.
Once you are happy, we will carefully package your portrait in a presentation box with tissue paper and ribbon — ready to give as a gift or to unwrap and enjoy yourself. We take care to make it feel special from start to finish.
The portraits are wrapped in foam wrap and placed in a double-walled cardboard box. This makes the whole package safe and secure to travel, quite often, thousands of miles on its journey all around the world, safely to your home. We send our portraits on an express tracked service both overseas and within the UK. If you have any questions, you are more than welcome to contact us at any time.
Pencil Portrait Packaging
Step-by-Step Commission Timeline:
- Initial Enquiry – You contact us with your pet’s photos and ideas.
- Planning – We discuss composition, size, and style.
- Booking – Once you’re happy, we confirm your slot.
- Drawing or Painting Begins – You’ll receive updates as we progress.
- Completion and Final Photos – We send images for your approval.
- Packaging – Each portrait is carefully wrapped in tissue and ribbon.
- Delivery – Your portrait is delivered, ready to frame or gift.
Pet Portraits FAQ
Portraits take anywhere from 1 to 3 months from booking to delivery. This depends on the size, medium (pencil or oil), and our current schedule. We will give you an estimated completion date when you book. Pencil drawings are often completed more quickly than oil paintings, which require drying time between layers.
We start with your photos and any special requests you have. From there, we create either a pencil drawing or oil painting entirely by hand – no digital tricks, just traditional techniques. You will receive updates as your portrait comes to life and we will send final photos before it’s packaged and shipped.
Our pencil drawings start from £250 and oil paintings start from £755. Prices vary depending on the size, number of pets and level of detail. You can find a full breakdown on our pricing page.
Absolutely – and not just because we say so! Our clients often tell us their portraits are among their most treasured possessions. A custom portrait is timeless and deeply personal, capturing a beloved pet’s personality in a way a photo simply can’t.
This depends on how much detail you’d like and how many pets are included. A 12x10" size is perfect for a single head and shoulders portrait. Larger sizes allow for full body poses or multiple pets. We’re always happy to advise based on your photos and preferences.
We often recommend soft, neutral backgrounds that don’t distract from your pet – something timeless and elegant. That said, we are happy to work from specific settings if you have something meaningful in mind, like your garden, a favourite chair or a scenic landscape.
It starts with your enquiry and photos. We will discuss composition, style and size. Once you are booked in, we begin sketching or painting, sending updates along the way. Once completed, we’ll share a photo for your approval, then package your portrait with care and ship it to you.
