Single Pet – Pet Portrait – Detailed Background

A pet portrait of a single pet, with a detailed painting of the background. This option is available in landscape or portrait formats and is suitable for all portrait sizes. The painting can focus on just the ‘head and shoulders’ for all sizes, though if you opt for a full figure format portrait, A5 is a little too small for the level of detail required.

These portraits have a detailed painted background, where the pet is shown in context; lying in a chair for example, sitting in the garden or running in a field. Pet portraits with a detailed background work much better when you have a very good single photograph from which I can work. I recommend that composites of more than one photograph (e.g separate photos of an animal and a background) are avoided as unless you are extremely fortunate with the direction and brightness of the light source, as it will give a less realistic final drawing.  So if you would like a pet portrait with a detailed background, please select one high-quality photograph from which I can work or alternatively, opt for the plain or colour wash choices.

There are a number of options you can choose for your pet portrait – the size, the orientation, the number of pets in the painting and the background. All my pet portraits are produced as watercolour paintings. The most popular option at the moment is the Single Pet, A4, Plain Background portrait.

Some options work better than others for certain situations. For example a pet portrait of three pets would only work in A3 landscape orientation, but not as an A5 vertical portrait. There’s a guide below that explains your options in more depth and you can click directly through to the order page when you’re ready.

Two Pets – Watercolour Pet Portrait – Detailed Background

A pet portrait of two pets in one painting. This option tends to work best in a landscape (horizontal) format, though if you have the right composition and level of detail in your photograph, it is possible to have the (vertical) portrait format.

These portraits have a detailed painted background, where the pet is shown in context; for example, lying in a chair, sitting in the garden or running in a field. Pet portraits with a detailed background work much better when you have a very good single photograph from which I can work. I recommend that composites of more than one photograph (e.g separate photos of the pets and a background) are avoided if possible as the direction and brightness of the light sources will likely vary, though it’s worth contacting me in the first instance if this is something that’s important to you to see what’s possible.  Ideally, if you would like a pet portrait with a detailed background, please select one high-quality photograph (see Photo Tips page for guidance) from which I can work or alternatively, consider opting for the plain or colour wash choices (above).

Three Pets – Watercolour Pet Portrait – Detailed Background

A pet portrait of three of pets in one painting and a detailed background. This option tends to work best in a landscape (horizontal) format and is only available in A3 size to allow for enough space and detail.

Due to the number of pets in the portrait, and the need for harmorny with the background, this option works best if you have a high quality photograph with all of the pets in.

Please be sure to take a look at the Photo Tips page for guidance on the photographs you select for reference.

If need to opt for the multi-photo approach, I would generally recommend the plain paper or colour wash background, as it will usually produce a more harmonious finish, though you are also welcome to contact me before ordering to share your photo’s and I can offer some suggestions for your consideration.