What Actually Goes Into Making a Hand-Painted Pet Portrait?

When people see a finished portrait, they see the painting. What they don't see is everything that happened before the first brushstroke, and all the small decisions after it.

Here's what really goes into a hand-painted pet portrait, from the first message to the moment it's packed and on its way.

It starts with a conversation

Every portrait begins on WhatsApp. Someone sends a message, usually something like "can you paint my dog?" (Yes.) Then the good part: they tell us about their pet.

This bit isn't small talk. Knowing that a dog is a gentle old soul, or that a cat is a menace with a soft spot for one particular person, changes how we see the photos.

Then, the photos

We look through the reference photos together. We're checking for clarity, the right angle, true colours and, most of all, an expression that feels like the pet.

Often, one photo has the perfect face and another shows the markings better. That's why we always ask for a few. (Here's what makes a good reference photo, if you're curious.)

Choosing the design

Our portraits are inspired by classical art, so the next question is: which world does this pet belong in? Clients either pick a design from our collection or bring us an idea of their own for a custom portrait.

This is where the fun really begins. A painting style can make a pet look regal, dramatic, dreamy or slightly ridiculous, sometimes all at once.

Confirming the details

Before we start, we make sure everything is clear: the design, the photos, the total amount and the delivery details. A 50% advance confirms the order. Only then does painting begin. We'd rather spend an extra day getting the details right than rush into the paint.

The painting itself

This is the part that takes time. The pet has to be placed into the composition so they look like they truly belong there, not pasted on top. The proportions of their face have to be right, or they simply won't look like themselves.

Then there's colour: matching the exact shade of their fur, the warmth of their eyes, the pink of a nose. And the details that make a pet unmistakably theirs: a notch in an ear, an uneven patch, the way the fur falls over one eye.

Because it's made by hand, no two portraits are ever identical. Small variations in brushstrokes and colour are part of what makes each painting an original rather than a print. That's the real difference between handmade and digital.

The reveal

When the painting is finished, we photograph it and send the picture on WhatsApp. This is easily our favourite moment. People's reactions to seeing their pet in a painting for the first time are the best part of the whole job.

Packed with care

Once the remaining 50% is paid, the portrait is packed carefully and shipped. And somewhere, a pet is about to discover that they're now officially art. They will likely act unimpressed. They are secretly thrilled.

Frequently asked questions