Pet Portrait FAQ - Complete Commission Guide
Professional answers to your pet portrait questions from Melanie and Nicholas. We are here to guide you through the entire commission process.
We have worked with clients worldwide and understand every aspect of commissioning pet portraits. Below you'll find comprehensive answers to help you make informed decisions about your custom artwork.
Pricing and Payment Questions
Pencil Portraits: £220-£650 depending on size and detail. Life Story Drawings: From £849. Oil Paintings: £950-£1250 for standard sizes. We offer a wide range of sizes and bespoke options. View our complete pricing guide for detailed information.
Yes, we can arrange monthly payment plans to make commissioning more accessible. Contact us to discuss options that work for your budget.
A deposit is required to secure your place in our commission schedule. The final balance is invoiced only after you've seen and approved the completed portrait. You pay nothing until you're completely satisfied.
UK clients can pay by bank transfer. International clients can pay by debit/credit card. We also accept most major payment methods - if you have a preference, just let us know.
Yes, we offer beautiful gift voucher cards perfect for pet lovers. These make wonderful presents for birthdays, Christmas, or special occasions. Visit our commission info page for details.
Absolutely! Every portrait is bespoke. Send us your ideas and we'll provide a tailored quote. Consider where you want to display it - we're always happy to guide you on sizing.
Commission Process Questions
Simply email us with your favorite photos and let us know which style (oil or pencil) and size interests you. We'll chat through details, create a design mockup, and guide you through the entire process.
Most portraits are completed within 1-3 months from booking to delivery. Pencil drawings typically take 7-14 days to create, oil paintings around 2 weeks plus essential drying time. We'll give you a personalized timeline when you book.
Yes! You'll receive access to our private client portal where you can watch your portrait develop. We also send progress photos via email throughout the creation process.
Absolutely. We always create mock-ups or layouts in Photoshop before starting your portrait. This helps us all visualize the final composition and ensures you're completely happy with the design.
Yes, we email a final photo for your approval before shipping. Small tweaks are absolutely fine - we want you to be 100% happy. If major changes are needed, we'll discuss what's possible.
Yes - always! We work from one main photo for the pose and can use others for detail and coloring. We cannot repose your pet or create different poses from multiple photos. Choose a photo where you'd naturally say "That's really good of them."
Photo Requirements and Artwork Questions
Ideally, your photo should be clear, in focus, and taken at your pet's eye level - not from above. Good lighting (natural light is best) and sharp focus on the eyes makes all the difference in capturing character. If unsure, send several and we'll advise.
As many as you have! We love seeing your pets and their stories. Send all your favorites - we'll help you choose the perfect one and can use others for detail and reference.
As large as possible, please - no screenshots! Send original full-size images directly from your camera or phone. If using WhatsApp, send from your photo app rather than the camera function.
Yes, we often combine pets from separate photos into one portrait. It's very common, especially if pets have passed away or never posed together nicely. We'll create a natural, balanced composition.
Yes! If you can visit our studio, we can photograph your dogs at no charge. We sometimes visit clients for horse photography, depending on location. Perfect if you're struggling with photography.
Yes, absolutely - as long as you have permission from the photographer. We're happy to work from professionally taken images, but always check usage rights if you didn't take the photos yourself.
Oil portraits are painted in full color on linen canvas and don't need glass framing. Pencil drawings are black and white, hand-drawn on Italian Fabriano paper, and must be framed under glass with a mount. The two mediums cannot be combined in one piece.
Yes! Oil portraits are ideal for scenic backgrounds, but we can also create lovely graphite backgrounds in pencil. Let us know your ideas and we'll discuss options that complement your pet.
Multiple Pet Portrait Questions
Yes, but keep in mind: the more pets you want in one portrait, the larger the canvas needs to be to fit them comfortably. We'll help you decide on the best size for your group portrait.
We don't charge for second or third pets, but they need to fit comfortably on your chosen canvas size. For example, a 12x10" is suitable for one head, 16x12" for two heads in pencil, 18x14" is best for two pets in oils.
No problem! We create beautiful group portraits from separate photos all the time. Send individual shots of each pet and we'll arrange them naturally in one composition using our design software.
Absolutely. Memorial portraits combining past and present pets are very meaningful to families. We handle these commissions with extra care and sensitivity, understanding their emotional significance.
Shipping and Delivery Questions
Yes! Our portraits are in homes all over the world - UK, France, Norway, Netherlands, Sweden, Hong Kong, Singapore, Australia, Canada, America, Hawaii, and many more countries. We love hearing where our clients are from!
UK delivery starts from £30 depending on size. International shipping starts at £100. All shipments are fully tracked and sent in eco-friendly packaging that's perfect for gifting and easy to reuse or recycle.
No! Rolling a painting can cause surface damage and warping. All our oils are painted on ready-stretched canvas using hardwood stretcher bars and shipped flat, ready for framing. We never compromise on protection.
While damage is extremely rare due to our careful packaging, we ask clients to check parcels immediately upon arrival. If anything is wrong, contact us straight away with photos and we'll resolve it quickly.
UK delivery typically takes 1-3 business days. International shipping varies by destination but usually 5-14 days. All shipments include full tracking so you can monitor progress.
Classic Pencil Drawing of Milo by Melanie Phillips
Framing and Portrait Care
Our wonderful framers retired during Covid and we haven't found replacements. We no longer offer framing, but we're happy to help you find a local framer and provide advice, or even chat directly with them about requirements.
No, oil paintings don't need glass framing. They can be displayed as canvas paintings or framed without glass. Pencil drawings must be framed under glass with a mount for protection.
Keep portraits away from direct sunlight and extreme humidity. Oil paintings can be gently dusted with a soft cloth. Pencil drawings should remain under glass. Both mediums are designed to last generations with proper care.
Oil paintings are created with professional-grade paints on Belgian linen canvas with hardwood stretcher bars. Pencil drawings use high-quality graphite on acid-free Italian Fabriano paper. All materials are archival quality for longevity.
Business and Copyright Questions
Please let us know in advance if your portrait will be used for packaging, product labels, or logos. We've worked with many companies and can advise on copyright usage. We hold copyright on our artwork.
Only if you'd like us to! We love sharing portrait stories on our blog, but if you prefer your portrait or name not be shared publicly, just let us know. We work with well-known clients and always respect privacy.
We're professional pet portrait artists with 25+ years experience. Nicholas specializes in oil paintings, Melanie in pencil drawings. We live and work in rural Wales in a renovated cottage with a woodland studio. Learn more in our 'About Us' section!
We try to reply to all enquiries the same day, depending on time zones. Whether you're asking initial questions or ready to commission, you'll hear back from us quickly with helpful guidance.
Complete Pet Portrait Commission Summary
Professional Pet Portrait Service Overview
- Artists: We have 28+ years experience creating custom pet portraits
- Mediums: Oil paintings (full colour on canvas) and pencil drawings (black/white on paper)
- Pricing: Pencil £220-£950+, Life Story £849+, Oil paintings £950-£1250+
- Timeline: Depending on schedule, please contact for timing
- Process: Photo submission → Design → Deposit → Creation → Approval → Shipping
- Photos: Clear, eye-level shots, natural lighting, original full-size images required
- Multiple Pets: Can combine separate photos, larger sizes needed for groups
- Shipping: Worldwide delivery, UK £30+, International £100+, fully tracked
- Payment: Deposit secures slot, balance after final approval, installments available
- Backgrounds: Custom scenic backgrounds available, especially for oil portraits
- Amendments: Changes possible during creation and before final approval
- Materials: Professional oil on linen, pencil on Italian Fabriano paper
- Support: Visit our studio with your dog for photos!
- Guarantee: Gift box and ribbon plus tracked worldwoide shipping
