About Jonny Atkinson
Hello, I'm Jonny - a UK pet portrait artist based in Darlington.
I create contemporary pet portraits by hand using coloured pencil and wax crayon, working from your favourite photographs to create a strong, recognisable likeness.
Every portrait is drawn personally by me, from the first marks to the finished artwork.
BA (Hons) Fine Art
Drawn by hand in Darlington, UK
No AI or digital shortcuts
Recognisable first. Contemporary second. Hand-drawn always.
Every portrait starts with a photograph that's already meaningful to someone.
It might be a favourite photo from a walk, an everyday phone picture or an old image that's become irreplaceable. My job isn't to copy it, but to understand what makes that pet immediately familiar to the person who knows them best.
The eyes, markings, expression and small details you recognise become the starting point. From there, I develop the drawing into original artwork with the loose marks, texture and contemporary finish that define my work.
Recognisable first
A strong likeness comes first, focusing on the familiar features and expression that make your pet immediately recognisable.
Contemporary second
Careful observation combines with looser marks and visible texture to create original artwork with a distinctive contemporary finish.
Hand-drawn always
Every portrait is created entirely by hand using coloured pencil and wax crayon on textured watercolour paper.
From Fine Art to pet portraits
I graduated with a BA (Hons) Fine Art from Kingston University in 2008, where observational drawing, composition and contemporary mark-making became an important part of how I worked.
Over the years I've experimented with different subjects and materials, but I've always come back to drawing.
Coloured pencil and wax crayon give me the balance I want - enough control to build a recognisable likeness, while still allowing the texture, visible marks and imperfections of the drawing to remain part of the finished artwork.
Today, every portrait is created personally in my studio in Darlington, one commission at a time.
Usually with some questionable assistance from Badger.
Drawn by me, from start to finish
When you commission a portrait, you deal directly with me throughout.
I personally review your photographs, help you choose the strongest reference if needed, create the artwork and send you a preview before it leaves my studio.
There are no outsourced artists or automated production. Every portrait is created individually using coloured pencil and wax crayon on textured watercolour paper.
Your photographs
I’ll review the photographs you send and help you choose the strongest reference if you’re unsure which will work best.
Your portrait
I’ll create your portrait personally, building the artwork by hand with layers of coloured pencil and wax crayon.
Your approval
I’ll send you a preview of the finished portrait before carefully packaging the original artwork ready for tracked delivery.
Inside the studio
Every portrait is created in my Darlington studio using a simple collection of traditional materials - textured paper, coloured pencils, wax crayons and your reference photographs.
I enjoy sharing the process as much as the finished artwork. From the first marks to the final details, these behind-the-scenes moments show how each portrait gradually takes shape by hand.
Want to see the complete journey from photograph to finished artwork?
Featured portrait stories
Every portrait starts with a photograph and a different story.
Explore a few real commissions to see the reference photographs, decisions and drawing process behind the finished artwork.
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![Close up of custom pet portrait of Parson Russell]()
Dudley
Memorial Parson Russell Portrait
Dudley's portrait shows that a photo doesn't need to be perfect to become meaningful artwork.
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![Hand drawn pet portrait of cockapoo close up]()
Maverick
Cockapoo puppy portrait
Created from a garden photo, Maverick's portrait celebrates a first puppy with hand-drawn artwork.
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![Final pet portrait alongside reference photos of three dogs]()
Rocky, Dutch & Jessie
Multiple pet portrait
From 3 photos, this multi pet portrait brings Rocky, Dutch & Jessie together in one composition.
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![Custom cocker spaniel portrait next to reference photo]()
Tilly
Black Cocker Spaniel portrait
Combining several favourite photos, Tilly's portrait brings her expression and features together.
Kind words from pet owners
Every commission is personal, and I’m lucky to work directly with the people behind each portrait.
Here’s what a few customers have said about their experience and finished artwork.
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![Owner with her custom pet portrait]()
Emma ★★★★★
“Jonny recently completed the most incredible pet portrait of our puppy Maverick. It’s incredible how his personality is captured so well.”
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![Customer hanging a hand drawn pet portrait]()
Kimberley ★★★★★
“I look at this drawing every day and it makes me so happy. What a wonderful way to keep the memory of Dudley alive!”
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![Neil and Star eith their custom hand-drawn pet portrait from photo]()
Neil ★★★★★
“We couldn’t believe the likeness and how he captured the character and nature of our dog Star. Great service would highly recommend.”
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![Customer holding framed hand drawn pet portrait of three dogs]()
James ★★★★★
“Fantastic drawing of my three dogs, the quality of the drawing is outstanding. The likeness is spot on. Highly recommend!”
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![Mabel holding her custom pet portrait of boxer dog]()
Tim ★★★★★
“Mabel couldn’t believe it when she opened the portrait. She’d wanted a Boxer for years and immediately said, ‘That’s exactly my dog!’”
Ready to commission your portrait?
If you like my work and would like me to create something for you, every portrait begins with your favourite photographs.
I’ll work with you directly from choosing the reference through to the finished artwork, creating a hand-drawn portrait with a strong, recognisable likeness.
Drawn personally by me
Created from your favourite photographs
Preview before delivery