Pet portraits from photos

If you are looking for a truly unique gift that doesn’t involve going out to the shops then pet portraits from photos could be a great option for you. It’s hard to know what to get for people who seem to have anything – especially when you can’t get out to the shops to have a browse!

A pet portrait in oils is a lovely way to show someone you care and pay tribute to their best friend. The great thing about a having a painting commissioned from a photo is that neither of us needs to leave our house!

How do I order a pet portrait?

Don’t worry if you haven’t commissioned any art before – the process is really easy. Simply send me an email asking what you would like. Then send me one or more photographs of the pet you would like me to paint.

I will work with you on a composition and I won’t start painting until you are happy with it. I normally take a deposit of half the total cost once the composition has been agreed. This confirms your place in my order book. The second half is due when the painting is finished and you are happy with it (I will send you a photograph of the finished painting). Three weeks after it has been painted, when it is dry enough to be framed, I will wrap it up and post it.

How do I take a good photograph of a pet?

Photographing pets can be tricky but there are a few important things to remember.

Try to take the photo at eye level with your pet – even if they are very small! (Remember we normally hang pictures on the wall at our eye level, not down by the skirting board so the angle of the photograph needs to make sense when it is on the wall).

Take the photo in natural daylight, not artificial light. Outside or in a well lit room with lots of natural light is best.

Take your photo on a bright day. However, if you are photographing a dark coloured animal it’s probably best to wait for a slightly overcast day so all the details are clear (bright days can cause too much contrast)

Use treats or a favourite toy to bribe your pet to behave for the camera!

The pet isn’t mine and I don’t live in the same house with the recipient. How can I get a good photograph?

This can be tricky because you need to get hold of a high resolution photograph, not a low resolution one stolen from the recipient’s social media profiles! You may have to be wily about asking them to email you their favourite high resolution photograph. Or perhaps you can collude with a family member who lives in the same house to find one for you.

If it proves too tricky to get a photograph, you can always order a gift card. This way, they can choose or take the photograph they would like turned into a painting themselves.