Hand-drawn vs digital pet portraits: Which is right for you?
If you've been looking for a pet portrait online, you'll probably have come across both hand-drawn and digital artwork.
Both can be created by skilled artists from your favourite photographs, and both can produce distinctive, highly personal portraits. The main difference is how the artwork is created and what you ultimately receive.
A digital pet portrait is created using drawing software on a tablet or computer and usually supplied as a digital file or print. A hand-drawn portrait is created physically on paper using traditional art materials, with the finished drawing itself becoming the original artwork you receive.
Neither approach is inherently better. The right choice depends on the style you prefer, how you'd like to display or use the artwork, your budget and whether owning the physical original is important to you.
In this guide, I'll compare the two approaches so you can understand the differences and decide which type of pet portrait is right for you.
Finished hand-drawn pet portrait beside coloured pencils and wax crayons
What’s the difference between a hand-drawn and digital pet portrait?
The main difference is how the artwork is created and the form the finished portrait takes.
Digital pet portrait
A digital pet portrait is created using illustration software on a tablet or computer. The artist draws using a stylus rather than physical pencils, paints or other traditional materials.
The finished artwork exists as a digital file, which can be supplied directly to the customer or reproduced as a physical print.
Hand-drawn pet portrait
A hand-drawn pet portrait is created directly onto paper using physical art materials such as pencils, crayons, pastels or paint.
With an original hand-drawn commission, the artwork created by the artist is the physical piece you receive, complete with the natural marks and texture of the materials and paper.
Both approaches can produce detailed, contemporary or highly stylised artwork. Choosing between them isn't really about which is "better" - it's about which process, finished format and style best match what you're looking for.
What is a digital pet portrait?
A digital pet portrait is created using drawing or illustration software on a tablet or computer.
Rather than drawing directly onto paper, the artist works with a stylus and screen, building the portrait digitally using brushes, colours and other tools within the software.
Importantly, digital doesn't automatically mean AI-generated or created using a filter. A digital portrait can still be individually drawn by an artist from your photographs, with every line, colour and detail created by them.
One of the main advantages of working digitally is flexibility. Elements such as colour, composition and individual details can usually be adjusted more easily during the creative process.
Once complete, the artwork exists as a digital file. Depending on the artist, you might receive:
A downloadable digital file
A professionally produced print
Both the digital artwork and a physical print
Because the original exists digitally, identical copies can also be produced without changing the original artwork.
This can make digital portraits particularly suitable if you want artwork for online use, multiple prints, a bold illustrative style or greater flexibility for revisions.
Digital artwork is created using illustration software and a stylus rather than directly onto paper.
What is a hand-drawn pet portrait?
A hand-drawn pet portrait is created physically on paper using traditional art materials, rather than being drawn on a screen and produced from a digital file.
My own portraits are created using coloured pencil and wax crayon on textured watercolour paper. I gradually build layers of colour, texture and detail while concentrating on the features that make each pet immediately recognisable.
Because the marks are made directly onto the paper, the texture you see in the finished portrait is physically part of the artwork. The grain of the paper, individual pencil marks and subtle variations in the layers of pigment all remain visible when you look closely.
The finished drawing is also the original artwork itself. It isn't created digitally and then printed onto paper - the piece produced in my studio is the piece that's signed, carefully packaged and sent to you.
Hand-drawn portraits can be particularly appealing if you value traditional materials, visible texture, the physical drawing process and owning an original piece of artwork.
Hand-drawn pet portrait created using coloured pencils and wax crayons
Hand-drawn vs digital pet portraits: key differences
Both digital and hand-drawn portraits can be created individually by an artist from your photographs. The biggest differences are the tools used to create them, the format of the finished artwork and the experience of owning it.
| Feature | Digital Pet Portrait | Hand-Drawn Pet Portrait |
|---|---|---|
| Created using | Graphics tablet and illustration software | Coloured pencil and wax crayon on fine art paper |
| Finished artwork | Usually supplied as a digital file or printed reproduction | One original hand-drawn artwork |
| Texture | Digitally created | Natural paper texture with layered pigment |
| Creative process | Easily refined throughout creation | Built gradually through layers of traditional media |
| Receiving your artwork | Digital download or printed copy | Original artwork carefully packaged and delivered |
| Uniqueness | Can be reproduced multiple times | Every portrait is completely unique |
1. Original artwork vs reproducible artwork
One of the biggest differences between digital and hand-drawn pet portraits is the form in which the original artwork exists.
With a digital portrait, the artist creates the original artwork as a digital file. That file can then be supplied directly, printed onto different materials or reproduced multiple times without altering the original.
With a hand-drawn portrait, the original exists as a physical piece of artwork.
Every pencil or crayon mark is made directly onto the paper, and the finished drawing is the actual piece that was created by the artist. When you commission one of my portraits, that original is signed, carefully packaged and sent to you.
Neither is necessarily an advantage or disadvantage. It depends on what you want from the commission.
If you'd like the flexibility to create several identical prints or use the artwork digitally, a digital portrait may be more practical.
If owning the one physical artwork created by the artist is important to you, an original hand-drawn portrait offers something different.
Pet portrait artist Jonny Atkinson working on an original hand-drawn pet portrait in the studio
2. Texture and materials
Another important difference is whether the texture in the finished portrait is created digitally or physically present in the artwork.
Digital artists can use brushes, layers and effects to create convincing textures, from individual strands of fur to the appearance of traditional pencil, paint or paper.
With a hand-drawn portrait, those textures come directly from the materials themselves.
In my portraits, layers of coloured pencil and wax crayon interact with the surface of the textured watercolour paper. When viewed closely, you can see individual marks, areas where colours overlap and the natural grain of the paper beneath them.
These aren't effects added to imitate traditional materials - they're physical characteristics of the original artwork.
That difference can be difficult to appreciate fully on a screen. When you see an original hand-drawn portrait in person, the surface and small variations in the materials become part of the finished piece.
Close-up of coloured pencil texture on a hand-drawn pet portrait
3. How the artwork is created
Both digital and hand-drawn pet portraits can involve hours of careful work by the artist, but the creative process is quite different.
A digital artist works on a tablet or computer, usually building the portrait through layers within illustration software. Individual elements can be moved, resized, recoloured or adjusted as the artwork develops, giving the artist considerable flexibility throughout the process.
With traditional artwork, every mark is made directly onto the physical surface.
I build my portraits gradually using layers of coloured pencil and wax crayon, working from the reference photographs to establish the likeness before developing the colour, texture and finer details.
Because each new mark physically changes the artwork, the process is less easily reversible. This makes the decisions made before and during the drawing particularly important.
Neither method requires more or less artistic skill simply because of the tools being used. They're different ways of creating artwork, each with its own techniques and possibilities.
Three-dog pet portrait being drawn by hand from reference photographs
4. Style and appearance
The medium used to create a pet portrait doesn't determine what the finished artwork will look like.
Digital portraits can be detailed, realistic, minimal, colourful or highly stylised. Hand-drawn portraits can vary just as widely depending on the artist, materials and techniques being used.
So it isn't as simple as:
Digital = modern or cartoon-like
Hand-drawn = traditional or realistic
Two artists working in the same medium can produce completely different results.
My own approach combines a strong, recognisable likeness with a contemporary hand-drawn finish. I work from your photographs to retain the features and familiar expression you recognise, while using visible marks, colour and texture to develop the image into original artwork rather than trying to reproduce the photograph exactly.
When comparing pet portrait artists, I'd therefore pay as much attention to their individual style and previous work as the medium they use.
Ultimately, the most important question is:
Would you be happy to have this artist's work hanging in your home?
Original hand-drawn pet portrait displayed in a contemporary home
5. Turnaround and revisions
The time it takes to create a pet portrait - and how easily it can be changed during the process - can differ between digital and hand-drawn artwork.
With a digital portrait, elements can usually be edited, moved, resized or recoloured without physically altering the original artwork. This can make revisions more straightforward and, depending on the artist and style, may also allow for a faster turnaround.
Hand-drawn artwork works differently. Every pencil or crayon mark is made directly onto the paper, so substantial changes become more difficult as the portrait develops.
For this reason, I agree the reference photograph, composition and important details before drawing begins. Once the portrait is finished, I'll email you a preview before dispatch, and any small adjustments that can reasonably be made can be discussed at that stage.
My hand-drawn portraits are typically completed in around two weeks, although this varies depending on my current commission schedule.
Read the Pet Portrait Turnaround Guide
See How the Commission Process Works
6. How much do digital and hand-drawn pet portraits cost?
Prices can vary considerably for both digital and hand-drawn pet portraits.
The cost depends on factors such as the artist's experience, level of detail, portrait size, number of pets and the format of the finished artwork.
Digital portraits can sometimes have a lower starting price, particularly when the finished commission is supplied as a downloadable file rather than a physical print. However, detailed work from an established digital artist can still cost considerably more.
Hand-drawn portraits often reflect the time involved in creating the physical artwork, along with the materials, packaging and delivery required to send the original safely.
When comparing prices, it's therefore important to check exactly what you're receiving. A £50 digital file and a £150 original drawing aren't directly comparable simply because they're both pet portraits.
My own hand-drawn portraits currently start from £65 for A5, with A4 and A3 sizes also available and UK delivery included.
View My Portrait Sizes & Prices
Read: How Much Do Pet Portraits Cost in the UK?
7. Displaying and keeping your portrait
Another practical difference is what you do with the artwork once it's finished.
A digital portrait normally needs to be printed if you want to display it physically. Depending on the artist, you may receive a ready-made print or a digital file that you can arrange to have printed yourself.
This gives you flexibility over size, format and the number of copies you produce, although the quality of the final result can depend on the printer, paper and materials used.
With an original hand-drawn portrait, the physical artwork itself is what you display.
My portraits are supplied unframed, giving you the freedom to choose a frame and mount that suit both the artwork and your home. Once framed, the original drawing can be displayed while retaining the physical paper texture and pencil marks that are part of the piece.
If you're deciding between the two, consider whether you'd prefer the flexibility of a reproducible digital artwork or the experience of framing and displaying the physical original created by the artist.
Customer holding framed hand drawn pet portrait of three dogs
Digital vs hand-drawn pet portraits: pros and cons
Both approaches have advantages. The right choice depends on what you want to receive, how you plan to use it and which creative process appeals to you most.
Digital pet portraits
Advantages
Can be supplied as a digital file for online or personal use.
Identical prints can easily be produced in different sizes.
Colours, composition and other elements are generally easier to revise.
Available in a huge range of artistic styles.
Can sometimes offer a quicker turnaround or lower starting price.
Things to consider
You may receive a digital file or reproduction rather than a physical original.
If printing the artwork yourself, the finished quality depends on the printer, paper and inks used.
Physical paper and pigment texture aren't present in the original digital artwork.
Hand-drawn pet portraits
Advantages
You receive the physical original created by the artist.
Traditional materials create genuine paper, pencil and pigment texture.
Every mark forms part of the finished original artwork.
The original can be mounted, framed and displayed directly.
Particularly suited to people who value owning a one-of-a-kind physical piece.
Things to consider
Substantial revisions become more difficult as the artwork develops.
Creating the artwork by hand can require a longer turnaround.
The original can't simply be duplicated in the same way as a digital file.
Physical artwork needs to be packaged and delivered rather than downloaded.
Neither list makes one medium the winner. They simply offer different benefits and different ways of owning and enjoying the finished artwork.
Which type of pet portrait is right for you?
After comparing the two, the right choice really comes down to what you want from the finished artwork.
A digital pet portrait may be right for you if...
You'd like a digital file that can be used or printed in different ways.
You want the option to produce multiple identical copies.
You prefer a style that's created specifically using digital illustration tools.
The flexibility to make changes during the creative process is important to you.
You're looking for something that may offer a faster turnaround or lower starting price.
A hand-drawn pet portrait may be right for you if...
You want to own the physical original created by the artist.
You value traditional materials and the process of artwork being created directly on paper.
You like seeing genuine pencil marks, layered pigment and natural paper texture.
You want an original piece of artwork to mount, frame and display in your home.
Knowing there's only one physical original is an important part of the commission for you.
Ultimately, the medium is only part of the decision.
A beautifully created digital portrait may be a better choice for you than a hand-drawn portrait in a style you don't particularly like — and vice versa.
The most important thing is to choose an artist whose finished work you genuinely want to own.
How to choose the right pet portrait artist
Whether you decide on a digital or hand-drawn portrait, the individual artist matters just as much as the medium.
Before commissioning, spend some time looking beyond a single finished image and make sure you understand what you'll actually receive.
I'd look for:
A consistent portfolio – do you genuinely like the artist's style across several different pets and commissions?
A clearly explained process – can you understand how the portrait will be created and what happens after you order?
Real examples – does the artist show reference photographs, works in progress and completed commissions?
Clear materials and format – do you know whether you're receiving an original drawing, digital file or printed reproduction?
Independent customer experiences – are there reviews from people who have previously commissioned the artist?
Transparent pricing – are the cost, available sizes, delivery and any additional charges clearly explained?
Communication before ordering – is there an easy way to ask questions or get advice about your photographs?
Most importantly, look for an artist whose previous portraits consistently show the qualities you want in your own artwork.
Don't choose someone simply because they work digitally or by hand. Look at their finished commissions, understand their process and decide whether their particular style feels right for you.
You can see how my own commissions develop from reference photographs through to finished artwork in my Portrait Stories.
Hand-drawn pet portrait in progress in an artist's studio
Frequently asked questions
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Yes. A digital pet portrait can be individually drawn by an artist using a tablet, stylus and illustration software. Digital artwork shouldn't be confused with AI-generated images or automated filters, which use a different process.
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Yes. My portraits are drawn entirely by hand using coloured pencil and wax crayon on textured watercolour paper. The finished artwork isn't digitally created or printed.
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Yes. When you commission one of my hand-drawn portraits, you receive the original physical artwork created in my studio, rather than a reproduction or print.
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Yes. Because the original artwork exists as a digital file, identical copies can usually be printed in different sizes or formats, depending on the usage rights provided by the artist.
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A hand-drawn original can be photographed or scanned to create reproductions, but those copies aren't the original artwork. The physical drawing created by the artist remains unique.
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Either can work well for a memorial portrait. The better choice depends on the style and format you prefer. If owning a physical original created by hand is particularly meaningful to you, a traditional portrait may be the better fit.
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Not necessarily. Turnaround depends on the artist, style and complexity of the commission. Digital tools can make some changes and revisions quicker, while detailed digital artwork can still take many hours to create.
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Not always. Digital portraits can have lower starting prices, particularly when supplied as downloadable files, but prices vary considerably according to the artist, style and complexity of the work.
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Check how the artist describes the finished artwork before ordering. A digital commission may be supplied as a file or printed reproduction, while an original hand-drawn commission should clearly state that you're receiving the physical artwork created by the artist.
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Choose based on the finished artwork you want to own. Digital can be ideal if you want a reproducible file or print and greater editing flexibility. Hand-drawn may suit you better if you value traditional materials, physical texture and owning the original artwork.
Continue reading
If you're still exploring your options, these guides will help you understand pricing, the commissioning process and what a finished hand-drawn portrait can look like in practice.
How much do pet portraits cost?
Compare typical pet portrait prices in the UK and learn what affects the cost of digital, printed and original hand-drawn artwork.
Read the Pet Portrait Cost Guide
How to commission a pet portrait
See exactly how commissioning works, from choosing your portrait size and sending photographs through to preview and delivery.
Portrait stories
Explore real commissions and see the reference photographs, drawing process and finished hand-drawn artwork behind individual portraits.
Ready to choose a hand-drawn pet portrait?
If you've compared the options and decided that owning an original piece of artwork created entirely by hand is right for you, you can start your commission online.
Every portrait is drawn from your photographs using coloured pencil and wax crayon on textured watercolour paper, with a strong, recognisable likeness at the heart of the finished artwork.
If you'd like advice about your photographs or have a question before ordering, you're always welcome to get in touch.
Finished hand-drawn pet portrait displayed beside the original reference photograph
