How long do pet portraits take?
If you're thinking about commissioning a pet portrait, one of the first practical questions is likely to be how long will it take?
Turnaround times can vary considerably between artists. The type of artwork, portrait size, number of pets and the artist's current commission schedule can all affect how long you'll need to wait.
Timing becomes particularly important if you're ordering a portrait for a birthday, Christmas, anniversary or another specific date, when it's sensible to allow some additional time for the artwork to be created, approved and delivered.
In this guide, I'll explain typical pet portrait turnaround times in the UK, what can affect them and how far ahead you should consider ordering.
I'll also explain how long my own hand-drawn pet portraits usually take, so you'll know what to expect if you're thinking about commissioning one.
Reference photo next to finished working cocker spaniel drawing
Pet portrait turnaround times: the quick answer
Pet portraits can take anywhere from a few days to several weeks to complete, depending on the artist, medium, size, complexity and current commission schedule.
Digital portraits can sometimes be completed within a few days, while original hand-drawn or painted artwork will often take longer because of the physical process involved. However, there isn't one standard turnaround time that applies to every artist or medium.
For my own hand-drawn pet portraits, you can usually expect:
Typical turnaround: around 2 weeks
This covers the commission process from reviewing your photographs and creating the artwork through to sending you a preview of the finished portrait. Exact timings can vary depending on my current commission schedule.
Once you've approved the finished artwork, your portrait is carefully packaged and dispatched separately, so delivery time should also be allowed for.
If you're ordering for a birthday, Christmas or another fixed date, I recommend getting in touch before ordering. I can then confirm my current availability and whether your preferred date is achievable.
Typical pet portrait turnaround times in the UK
There isn't one standard turnaround time for a pet portrait. Some artists work to a few days, while others may have commission waiting lists stretching several weeks or even months.
As a broad guide, you might expect:
| Type of Pet Portrait | Typical Turnaround |
|---|---|
| Digital portrait | A few days–2 weeks |
| Pencil or coloured pencil portrait | 2–6 weeks |
| Watercolour portrait | 2–6 weeks |
| Acrylic portrait | 2–8 weeks |
| Oil portrait | 4–12+ weeks |
These times can vary considerably between individual artists. The artist's existing commission schedule can be just as important as the time it physically takes to create the artwork.
For example, a coloured pencil portrait might take an artist several working sessions to complete, but if they already have other commissions booked, your overall wait could be longer.
Oil paintings can also require additional time because of the painting and drying process, while some digital commissions may have shorter turnaround times because there's no physical artwork to prepare and dispatch.
So when comparing artists, it's always worth checking their current estimated turnaround, rather than assuming the medium alone determines how quickly you'll receive your portrait.
Compare Hand-Drawn & Digital Pet Portraits
What does pet portrait turnaround time actually mean?
When an artist gives you a turnaround time, it's worth checking what that timeframe actually covers.
The time needed to physically create the artwork is only one part of a pet portrait commission. Depending on the artist, the full process may include:
Waiting for your place in the artist's commission schedule
Reviewing your reference photographs
Planning the portrait and composition
Creating the artwork
Sending a finished preview for approval
Making any agreed small adjustments
Packaging the finished artwork
Dispatch and delivery
This means an artist might spend several working sessions actually creating your portrait, while the overall turnaround from placing your order to receiving the finished artwork is longer.
For my own commissions, the usual turnaround of around two weeks covers the portrait process through to your finished preview. Once you've approved the artwork, it's then carefully packaged and dispatched.
I'll always give you an estimated timeframe based on my current availability, and if you have a particular date in mind, it's best to let me know before ordering.
How to Commission a Pet Portrait
What affects how long a pet portrait takes?
There isn't a fixed amount of time that every pet portrait takes to create. Even two commissions from the same artist can involve different amounts of work.
The main factors that can affect turnaround include:
Type of artwork – different materials and processes have different requirements.
Portrait size – larger artwork may require more time to complete.
Number of pets – multi-pet portraits can involve additional planning and drawing.
Reference photographs – combining details or pets from several photographs can require more preparation.
Artist availability – existing commissions can affect when work on a new portrait can begin.
Time of year – popular gifting periods, particularly Christmas, can increase waiting times.
It's therefore useful to distinguish between how long the artwork takes to create and how long you'll wait for your commission to be completed.
1. Type of artwork
The medium used to create a pet portrait can influence how long the process takes.
A digital portrait is created electronically, so there's no physical artwork to prepare or package and changes can often be made directly within the working file.
Traditional portraits involve physical materials and processes. Pencil and coloured pencil artwork is gradually developed on paper, while watercolour, acrylic and oil painting each involve their own methods, including drying time between stages where necessary.
That doesn't mean digital artwork is always quicker than hand-drawn artwork. A highly detailed digital illustration could take longer to create than a simpler traditional drawing.
The artist's individual style, level of detail and working process are often just as important as the medium itself.
Compare Hand-Drawn & Digital Pet Portraits
2. Portrait size
The size of a pet portrait can affect how long it takes to create, although the difference will vary depending on the artist and their working style.
Larger portraits provide a greater area to work across and can allow for more detail, particularly around the eyes, coat and markings. Building those details across a larger piece of artwork can naturally require additional drawing or painting time.
However, size isn't the only consideration. A smaller but particularly detailed composition could take longer than a larger, simpler portrait.
My hand-drawn portraits are available in A5, A4 and A3, and I'll take the size into account when estimating the turnaround for your commission.
If you're ordering for a specific date, choosing a smaller portrait doesn't automatically guarantee a quicker turnaround, as my existing commission schedule also needs to be considered.
3. Number of pets and composition
The number of pets included can affect how long a portrait takes, particularly when several animals need to be brought together into one composition.
A multi-pet portrait may involve:
Reviewing several reference photographs
Deciding how the pets should be positioned together
Balancing their relative sizes and proportions
Creating each pet's individual features, colouring and markings
Making the finished composition feel natural as one piece of artwork
This becomes particularly relevant when the pets aren't together in the same photograph. Separate reference images can be used, but additional planning may be needed to bring them together convincingly.
That doesn't mean every multi-pet portrait will automatically take considerably longer. The size, reference photographs and composition all play a part.
With my commissions, the number of pets doesn't change the price, but it can influence the portrait size I recommend and the amount of work involved in creating it.
4. Reference photographs
The photographs you provide can also influence how straightforward the portrait process is.
A clear, well-lit photograph that shows your pet's features, colouring and familiar expression gives the artist a strong reference to work from immediately.
Sometimes, however, several photographs need to be used together. One image might provide the best expression, while another shows the correct eye colour, markings or coat detail more clearly.
For multi-pet portraits, each pet may also come from a completely separate photograph.
Using several references isn't necessarily a problem, but it can require additional planning before the drawing begins. Very small, blurry or heavily edited photographs can also make important details more difficult to interpret.
You don't need a professional photograph. Many of my portraits are created from everyday mobile phone pictures, and I'm happy to review your images before you order if you're unsure whether they're suitable.
5. Artist availability and commission schedules
How busy an artist is can have a bigger effect on turnaround time than the number of hours it physically takes to create a portrait.
Most commissioned artists work on several pieces throughout the month. If other portraits are already booked, your commission may be scheduled to begin after those have been completed.
This is why an artist who usually offers a two-week turnaround might occasionally need longer during a particularly busy period.
Demand can also change throughout the year. Christmas is typically one of the busiest periods for pet portrait commissions, as many portraits are ordered as gifts.
My usual turnaround is around two weeks, but I'll always base the estimate for your portrait on my current commission schedule rather than promising a date I can't confidently meet.
If you have a fixed deadline, please get in touch before ordering so I can check my availability.
How long do my hand-drawn pet portraits take?
My hand-drawn pet portraits usually take around two weeks to complete.
That timeframe covers the main commission process, including reviewing your reference photographs, planning and creating the portrait, and sending you a preview of the finished artwork for approval.
Every portrait is created individually by hand using coloured pencil and wax crayon on textured watercolour paper, so the exact turnaround can vary slightly depending on:
My current commission schedule
The size of the portrait
The number of pets and composition
The reference photographs available
Once your portrait has been approved, it is carefully packaged and dispatched separately.
If you're ordering without a particular deadline, around two weeks is a good guide for the portrait itself. I'll let you know if my current schedule means you should expect anything different.
If you need your portrait for a birthday, anniversary, Christmas or another specific date, please get in touch before ordering. I can then confirm whether I have enough availability to complete it in time.
Ask About Current Availability
What happens during those two weeks?
Once your order and reference photographs are received, your commission moves through several stages before the finished portrait is ready to leave the studio.
1. Order & photo review
I'll review your reference photographs and check that I have everything needed to begin.
If you've sent several images, I'll consider which provides the strongest main reference and whether any others are useful for checking details such as colouring or markings.
2. Planning the portrait
Before drawing begins, I'll plan the crop and composition of the artwork.
For multi-pet portraits, this can also involve bringing pets together from separate photographs and making sure their relative sizes and positioning work naturally.
3. Drawing by hand
Your portrait is then created entirely by hand using coloured pencil and wax crayon on textured watercolour paper.
I gradually build the recognisable likeness, colour, texture and finer details until the portrait is complete.
4. Finished preview
Once finished, I'll send you a photograph of your portrait to review before it leaves the studio.
If there are any small adjustments that can reasonably be made, we'll discuss them before the artwork is approved for dispatch.
5. Packaging & dispatch
After approval, your original portrait is carefully packaged to protect it during transit and prepared for delivery.
UK orders are sent using Royal Mail Special Delivery Guaranteed by 1pm, with tracking provided once dispatched.
UK pet portrait artist Jonny Atkinson creating a hand-drawn pet portrait in his studio
How far in advance should I order a pet portrait?
If you don't have a fixed deadline, my usual around two-week turnaround is a good guide.
If your portrait is intended for a birthday, anniversary, Christmas or another important date, I'd recommend ordering earlier. This provides some breathing room for the portrait to be created, previewed, approved and delivered without relying on everything happening at the shortest possible timeframe.
As a practical guide:
| When You Need Your Portrait | When to Order |
|---|---|
| No fixed date | Allow around 2 weeks, plus delivery |
| Birthday | Ideally 3–4 weeks before |
| Anniversary | Ideally 3–4 weeks before |
| Christmas | Order during autumn where possible |
| Other fixed date | Contact me before ordering |
These aren't fixed deadlines. My availability changes throughout the year, so ordering earlier is always the safer option when the date matters.
If you're already closer to your deadline than the times suggested above, don't assume it's too late. Get in touch and I'll let you know whether I can realistically complete your portrait in time.
Hand-drawn pet portrait wrapped as a gift for a special occasion
When should I order a pet portrait for Christmas?
Christmas is usually one of the busiest times of year for pet portrait commissions, so it's worth ordering earlier than you would at other times of year.
My usual turnaround is around two weeks, but availability can become more limited as Christmas approaches because commission spaces are booked by other customers.
If you're planning to give a portrait as a Christmas present, I'd recommend ordering during autumn where possible. This gives enough time for your portrait to be created, previewed, approved and delivered without relying on last-minute availability.
I don't publish the same fixed Christmas cut-off date every year because my commission schedule can change. If Christmas is approaching, please get in touch and I'll confirm whether I still have availability.
If you're ordering particularly early, that's absolutely fine too. We can discuss your commission in advance rather than waiting until the Christmas period becomes busy.
Can a pet portrait be completed for a specific date?
Yes, in many cases I can work towards a particular date, provided I have enough availability in my commission schedule.
If you're ordering for a birthday, anniversary, Christmas or another important occasion, please let me know the date before placing your order. I can then confirm whether there's enough time for the portrait to be created, approved and dispatched.
My usual turnaround is around two weeks, but for a fixed deadline it's always sensible to allow some additional time. This provides a buffer for the drawing process, your finished preview and delivery.
If your deadline is already quite close, you're still welcome to ask. I may have availability, but I won't confirm a date unless I'm confident I can realistically meet it.
What if I need a pet portrait quickly?
If you need a portrait sooner than my usual turnaround, contact me before ordering.
I don't offer a guaranteed express or rush service, as every portrait still needs enough time to be created properly by hand. However, my workload varies, so there may be occasions when I can accommodate a shorter deadline.
I'll check my current commission schedule and let you know what's realistically possible.
If I can't complete and dispatch the portrait in time for your required date, I'll tell you before you place the order rather than make a promise I can't confidently keep.
How long does delivery take after my portrait is finished?
Once your portrait is complete, I'll send you a preview of the finished artwork for approval before it leaves the studio.
After approval, the original drawing is carefully packaged and prepared for dispatch.
UK portraits are sent using Royal Mail Special Delivery Guaranteed by 1pm, which provides tracking and is designed to arrive by 1pm on the next working day after dispatch.
This delivery time is separate from my usual around two-week portrait turnaround, so it's worth allowing for both when you're working towards a particular date.
You'll receive tracking information once your portrait has been dispatched.
For full information about packaging, UK delivery and international orders, visit my Delivery & Returns page.
Frequently asked questions
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Turnaround times vary between artists, but original hand-drawn portraits commonly take several weeks depending on the medium, size, complexity and artist's commission schedule. My own hand-drawn pet portraits usually take around two weeks to complete.
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No. My usual around two-week turnaround covers the portrait process through to your finished preview. Once approved, the artwork is carefully packaged and dispatched separately.
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UK portraits are sent using Royal Mail Special Delivery Guaranteed by 1pm, which is designed to arrive by 1pm on the next working day after dispatch. Tracking information is provided once your portrait has been sent.
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Yes. If you need your portrait for a particular date, I recommend ordering around 3–4 weeks beforehand where possible. This provides additional time for creating, approving and delivering the artwork.
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Christmas is usually a particularly busy period, so I recommend ordering during autumn where possible. Availability changes each year, so if Christmas is approaching, please contact me before ordering and I'll confirm whether I still have commission space.
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They can. Larger artwork provides a greater area to work across and may require additional drawing time. However, size isn't the only factor, and my current commission schedule also affects the estimated turnaround.
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They can, particularly when several pets need to be brought together from separate reference photographs. Multi-pet portraits can require additional planning and drawing, although the exact time depends on the individual commission.
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Yes. Pets can be brought together from separate reference photographs where suitable. This can require additional planning, so I'll review the photographs before drawing begins.
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Please contact me before ordering. I don't offer a guaranteed express service, but depending on my current commission schedule, a shorter timeframe may sometimes be possible.
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Yes. I'll provide an estimated timeframe based on my current commission schedule. If you have a fixed deadline, let me know before ordering so I can confirm whether it's achievable.
Continue reading
If you're planning a commission, these guides will help with the next practical steps.
How to commission a pet portrait
See the complete process from sending your photographs and choosing a portrait size through to the finished preview and delivery.
How to choose the best photo
Learn what makes a strong reference photograph, what to avoid and what to do if you're choosing between several images.
Choose the Best Reference Photo
Delivery & returns
Find full details about how finished portraits are packaged and sent, including UK delivery and international orders.
Ready to commission your pet portrait?
If you're ready to commission a hand-drawn pet portrait, my usual turnaround is around two weeks, subject to my current availability.
Every portrait is created entirely by hand from your photographs using coloured pencil and wax crayon on textured watercolour paper. Once finished, you'll receive a preview to approve before the original artwork is carefully packaged and dispatched.
If you don't have a particular deadline, you can simply choose your portrait size and place your order online.
If you're ordering for a birthday, Christmas, anniversary or another specific date, get in touch first and I'll confirm whether I can complete your portrait in time.
Framed boxer dog drawing on wall in modern home
