How much do pet portraits cost in the UK?
Pet portrait prices in the UK can vary considerably, from affordable digital illustrations to original hand-drawn and painted commissions costing several hundred pounds.
The difference isn't simply about how long a portrait takes to create. The type of artwork, size, materials, number of pets, artist's experience and what's included in the finished commission can all affect the price.
That means two pet portraits with very different prices may not actually be offering the same thing.
In this guide, I'll explain typical UK pet portrait prices, what influences the cost and what to look for when comparing artists. I'll also show you exactly what I charge for my own hand-drawn pet portraits.
How much does a pet portrait cost in the UK?
Pet portrait prices in the UK can range from around £25 for a digital portrait to several hundred pounds for an original hand-drawn or painted commission.
As a broad guide, you can expect to see:
Digital pet portraits: from around £25–£100+
Original hand-drawn pet portraits: typically around £75–£300+
Larger, highly detailed or premium original artwork: £300–£700+, with some established artists charging considerably more
The price depends on the artist, medium, size, number of pets, level of detail and whether you're receiving a digital file, print or original artwork.
My own original hand-drawn pet portraits currently cost:
A5 – £65
A4 – £110
A3 – £170
They're drawn entirely by hand using coloured pencil and wax crayon, and UK delivery is included in the price.
View My Portrait Sizes & Prices
Typical pet portrait prices in the UK
There isn't a single average price for a pet portrait because a digital file, printed portrait and original piece of artwork are very different products.
As a broad guide, current UK prices can look something like this:
| Type of Pet Portrait | Typical Price Range |
|---|---|
| Digital portrait | £25–£100+ |
| Pencil or coloured pencil portrait | £75–£300+ |
| Watercolour portrait | £100–£400+ |
| Acrylic portrait | £150–£500+ |
| Oil portrait | £250–£700+ |
| Large or premium original commissions | £500–£1,000+ |
These aren't fixed market rates. Size, number of pets, artist experience, level of detail and what's included can move prices considerably above or below these ranges. Current UK pricing examples show just how wide the market can be.
For example, an inexpensive digital portrait delivered by email isn't directly comparable with an A3 original drawing that's taken many hours to create and then needs to be packaged and delivered.
When comparing prices, always check whether you're receiving:
A digital file, print or original artwork
The size of the finished portrait
One pet or multiple pets
A simple or detailed background
Framing or mounting
A preview or revisions
Packaging and UK delivery
Two artists can therefore quote very different prices while both offering perfectly reasonable value — they may simply be selling very different types of portrait.
Compare Hand-Drawn & Digital Pet Portraits
Why do pet portrait prices vary so much?
Pet portraits aren't all the same type of product, which is why comparing prices alone can be misleading.
At one end of the market, you might be buying a digital file created and delivered entirely online. At the other, you could be commissioning a large original painting that takes many hours to create using professional materials before being carefully packaged and delivered.
The final price can be influenced by:
The type of artwork – digital, pencil, coloured pencil, watercolour, acrylic or oil.
The portrait size – larger artwork generally requires more materials and time.
The number of pets – some artists charge for each additional animal.
The level of detail – backgrounds, complex compositions and different artistic styles can affect the work involved.
The artist's experience and demand – established artists may charge more for their work.
What's included – prints, framing, previews, revisions, packaging and delivery can all affect the final cost.
This is why it's important to compare what you're actually receiving, rather than simply looking for the cheapest or most expensive option.
1. The type of artwork
The type of pet portrait you choose can have a significant influence on the price because different commissions result in very different finished products.
A digital pet portrait is created using illustration software and may be supplied simply as a downloadable file. This removes the cost of physical art materials, packaging and delivery, although the artist's time and experience still form an important part of the price.
Digital artwork can also be supplied as a physical print, with the price varying depending on the size, paper, printing method and whether framing is included.
With a hand-drawn or painted portrait, you're usually buying the original physical artwork created by the artist. Materials such as professional pencils, paper, watercolours, acrylics, canvas or oil paints all contribute to the cost, alongside the time required to create the piece.
The medium alone doesn't determine whether a portrait is good value. A detailed digital commission from an experienced artist may cost considerably more than a smaller traditional drawing.
The important thing is to understand whether you're buying a digital file, a reproduction or an original piece of artwork before comparing prices.
Compare Hand-Drawn & Digital Pet Portraits
2. Portrait size
The size of a pet portrait will usually affect its price.
Larger artwork requires more physical materials and gives the artist a greater area to work across. Depending on the style and medium, it can also take longer to build the detail, colour and texture across a larger portrait.
However, bigger isn't automatically better.
The right size depends on the number of pets, the composition and where you intend to display the finished artwork. A smaller portrait can work particularly well for a single pet, while a larger size gives more space when several pets need to be included together.
My own portraits are available in three sizes:
A5 – £65
A4 – £110
A3 – £170
The price is based on the finished portrait size rather than the number of pets included.
If you're unsure which size would work best for your photographs or the number of pets you'd like included, I'm happy to advise before you order.
A5, A4 and A3 hand-drawn pet portrait sizes displayed together
3. Number of pets
The number of pets included in a portrait can also affect the price, although artists approach this differently.
Some artists charge a set amount for one pet and then add an additional fee for every extra animal included in the same portrait. Others base their pricing on the overall size and complexity of the finished artwork.
With my portraits, I don't charge extra simply for including more than one pet.
My prices are based on the finished portrait size:
A5 – £65
A4 – £110
A3 – £170
However, the number of pets can influence which size I'd recommend. Several pets need enough space for each face and important detail to remain clear, so A4 or A3 may be more suitable for a multi-pet composition.
For example, a portrait featuring three dogs can require more careful planning than a single-pet commission, particularly when the pets come from separate reference photographs and need to be brought together naturally in one composition.
If you're unsure which size would work best, you can send me your photographs before ordering and I'll be happy to advise.
4. Detail and complexity
The amount of detail involved in a pet portrait can influence the price, particularly when an artist prices each commission individually.
Some portraits are relatively straightforward, while others may involve intricate markings, long or textured coats, several pets, detailed backgrounds or more complex compositions.
The artist's style also makes a difference. A highly detailed portrait may take considerably longer to create than a simpler or more minimal approach, regardless of whether it's produced digitally or using traditional materials.
Reference photographs can affect the process too. If several images need to be used to create one composition, additional planning may be required before the artwork begins.
However, not every artist charges according to complexity.
With my own portraits, you won't pay more because your pet has a particular coat, colouring or detailed markings. My standard pricing is based on the size of the finished artwork, keeping the cost straightforward from the beginning.
Close up of Cockapoo drawing showing texture
5. Artist experience and demand
An artist's experience, reputation and demand for their work can also influence the price of a pet portrait.
Someone who is just beginning to take commissions may charge less while they develop their portfolio and establish a customer base. An experienced artist with a recognisable style, consistent body of work and a busy commission schedule may charge considerably more.
Price can also reflect the wider work involved in offering commissions, including communicating with customers, reviewing reference photographs, planning artwork and preparing finished pieces for delivery.
However, a higher price doesn't automatically mean a better pet portrait.
Art is subjective, and the most expensive artist may not produce the style you personally prefer. Equally, a lower price doesn't necessarily indicate lower-quality work.
When comparing artists, I'd look at:
The consistency of their portfolio
Examples of real completed commissions
Their artistic style
Customer reviews
How clearly their process is explained
Exactly what's included in the quoted price
Ultimately, experience can help explain why prices differ, but the important question is whether you value the artist's particular work enough to pay their asking price.
Customer with her dog beside their finished hand-drawn pet portrait
6. What’s included in the price?
When comparing pet portrait prices, it's important to look at what's actually included, rather than the headline cost alone.
Two portraits at similar prices can offer very different things. One might be supplied as a digital file, while another could include an original piece of artwork, consultation, delivery and other parts of the commissioning process.
Depending on the artist, the price may include:
Reviewing and selecting your reference photographs
Planning the composition before work begins
Professional art materials
The finished digital file, print or original artwork
A preview of the completed portrait
Reasonable adjustments before approval
Mounting or framing
Protective packaging
Tracked or insured delivery
It's also worth checking for additional costs. Some artists charge separately for extra pets, backgrounds, framing or delivery, while others include these within their advertised prices.
With my portraits, the price includes the original hand-drawn artwork, a preview before dispatch, secure packaging and UK delivery. There are also no additional charges based purely on the number of pets included.
This makes it easier to know the full cost before commissioning rather than discovering additional charges later.
My pet portrait prices
I keep my pricing deliberately simple, so you know exactly what your portrait will cost before I begin.
My current prices are:
A5 – £65
A4 – £110
A3 – £170
Every size is an original hand-drawn portrait, created using coloured pencil and wax crayon on textured watercolour paper.
The price also includes:
One or multiple pets, with no additional per-pet charge
Review of your reference photographs before drawing begins
A preview of the finished portrait before dispatch
Secure protective packaging
UK delivery included
Portraits are supplied unframed, allowing you to choose a frame and mount that suit your home and the finished artwork.
The size you choose is therefore the main factor determining the price. If several pets are being included, I may recommend A4 or A3 simply to give the composition enough space, but there's no additional charge for the number of pets itself.
View Full Portrait Sizes & Prices
Are multiple pets more expensive?
Sometimes, but it depends on how the artist structures their pricing.
Many pet portrait artists charge for a single pet and then add an additional fee for each extra animal included in the same artwork. Others base the price on the overall portrait size or complexity instead.
With my portraits, there's no additional charge simply for including more than one pet.
You pay according to the finished artwork size:
A5 – £65
A4 – £110
A3 – £170
The main consideration with a multi-pet portrait is having enough space. While a smaller size can work for some compositions, I may recommend A4 or A3 for two or more pets so each one has enough room to remain clear and recognisable.
Pets can also be brought together from separate reference photographs, so you don't necessarily need a single photograph showing them all together.
If you're unsure which size will work best, send me your photographs and I can advise before you order.
See Examples of Real Pet Portrait Commissions
Are cheap pet portraits worth it?
A lower price doesn't automatically mean a pet portrait is poor quality.
There are plenty of reasons why one artist may charge less than another. They may be newer to taking commissions, work in a simpler style, offer smaller sizes or supply the finished artwork as a digital file rather than a physical original.
The important thing is to understand exactly what you're buying.
Before choosing a portrait based mainly on price, check:
Is the artwork individually created for your pet?
Will you receive a digital file, print or original artwork?
What size is included in the advertised price?
Are additional pets charged separately?
Is delivery included?
Can you see a consistent portfolio of real commissions?
Are there genuine customer reviews?
It's also worth being cautious when a price seems unusually low for what's being advertised. Make sure the artist clearly explains how the portrait is created and shows enough previous work for you to understand what you can expect.
A £40 digital portrait could represent excellent value for someone who wants a downloadable illustration, just as a more expensive original drawing could represent excellent value for someone who wants a physical piece of artwork.
Cheap doesn't necessarily mean bad - but make sure you're comparing like with like.
Does a more expensive pet portrait mean better quality?
Not necessarily.
Higher prices can reflect an artist's experience, demand, materials, working process and the amount of time involved, but price alone isn't a guarantee that you'll prefer the finished portrait.
Pet portraiture is also subjective. One artist may create highly detailed traditional paintings, while another works in a simpler contemporary style. The more expensive option isn't automatically the right choice for you.
Rather than using price as a measure of quality, look at the artist's actual work:
Is the quality consistent across different commissions?
Do you like their particular artistic style?
Can you see examples created from real reference photographs?
Is their process clearly explained?
Do previous customers recommend them?
Do you understand exactly what the price includes?
An established artist may reasonably charge more for their work, but ultimately you're paying for their particular artwork and service, not simply a higher price tag.
The best value is a portrait you genuinely like, from an artist you feel confident commissioning, at a price you're comfortable paying.
Is a hand-drawn pet portrait worth it?
That depends on what you value in the finished portrait.
If you're simply looking for an image of your pet, a digital portrait or print may offer everything you want at a lower price.
A hand-drawn portrait offers something different. You're paying for the physical original created by the artist, rather than a digital file or reproduction.
For people who choose traditional artwork, the appeal can include:
Owning the original piece created by hand
Physical pencil marks, pigment and paper texture
Traditional materials and the drawing process itself
An artwork that can be mounted, framed and displayed
A one-off piece created specifically from their photographs
Pet portraits are also often commissioned for reasons beyond decoration. They can mark a new arrival, become a gift for someone important or remember a much-loved pet.
Whether that makes a hand-drawn portrait worth the additional cost is personal. The important thing is to choose the type of artwork you genuinely want to own, rather than assuming the most expensive option must be the best.
Original hand-drawn pet portrait displayed in a contemporary home
What should I check before comparing pet portrait prices?
Before comparing prices between artists, make sure you're comparing like with like.
A cheaper portrait isn't necessarily better value, and a more expensive one isn't necessarily offering more. Check exactly what each commission includes before making your decision.
I'd look at:
What will you receive? – a digital file, printed reproduction or original artwork?
What size is the portrait? – check the actual dimensions rather than relying on descriptions such as small, medium or large.
How many pets are included? – some artists charge extra for additional pets.
Is a background included? – detailed backgrounds may cost extra.
Is the portrait framed or unframed? – framing can significantly affect the overall price.
Are revisions or a preview included? – understand what happens if you'd like something adjusted.
Is delivery included? – check for packaging and postage charges, particularly with original artwork.
How is the artwork created? – make sure the artist clearly explains their materials and process.
Can you see real commissions? – look for a consistent portfolio rather than judging from one or two examples.
Are customer reviews available? – previous customer experiences can provide useful reassurance before ordering.
Once you know these things, it becomes much easier to understand why two apparently similar pet portraits may have very different prices.
The best choice isn't necessarily the cheapest or most expensive. It's the portrait that offers the artwork, process and finished product you're looking for at a price you're comfortable paying.
Customer with his dog beside their finished hand-drawn pet portrait
Frequently asked questions
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Pet portrait prices in the UK can range from around £25 for some digital commissions to several hundred pounds for original hand-drawn or painted artwork. The price depends on the medium, size, number of pets, artist and what's included.
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Lower prices don't necessarily mean lower quality. An artist may be newer to commissions, work in a simpler style or supply a digital file rather than physical artwork. Always check exactly what you're receiving before comparing prices.
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Original hand-drawn portraits involve creating a physical piece of artwork using traditional materials. The price can reflect the artist's time, materials, experience and the additional work involved in preparing and delivering the original safely.
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Usually, yes. Larger artwork generally requires more materials and provides a greater area for the artist to work across. My portraits are priced by size, with A5 at £65, A4 at £110 and A3 at £170.
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It depends on the artist. Some charge an additional fee for each pet. I don't charge extra based purely on the number of pets included; my prices are based on the finished portrait size. For several pets, I may recommend A4 or A3 to provide enough space.
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Not necessarily. Price can reflect experience, demand, materials and the time involved, but it doesn't guarantee you'll prefer the finished artwork. Look at the artist's portfolio, style, process and customer reviews as well as price.
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They can be, particularly when supplied as downloadable files, but not always. Detailed work from an established digital artist can cost more than some original traditional artwork.
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Yes. UK delivery is included in the price of my hand-drawn pet portraits, along with secure packaging and tracking once your artwork has been dispatched.
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No. My portraits are supplied unframed, allowing you to choose a frame and mount that suit the artwork and your home.
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You can see all three portrait sizes, current prices and what's included on my Portrait Prices page. Current prices are A5 £65, A4 £110 and A3 £170.
Continue reading
If you're still comparing your options before commissioning a portrait, these guides will help you understand the different types of artwork available and what happens when you're ready to order.
Hand-drawn vs digital pet portraits
Compare the two approaches, including the differences in materials, original artwork, revisions, display and what you ultimately receive.
Compare Hand-Drawn & Digital Portraits
How to commission a pet portrait
See how the commissioning process works, from choosing your photographs and portrait size through to creating, approving and receiving your finished artwork.
Portrait stories
Explore real commissions to see the reference photographs, drawing process and finished artwork behind individual hand-drawn pet portraits.
Ready to commission your pet portrait?
If you've compared the options and decided an original hand-drawn portrait is right for you, you can choose your size and start your commission online.
My portraits are available from £65, with every piece created entirely by hand from your photographs using coloured pencil and wax crayon on textured watercolour paper.
UK delivery is included, and there are no additional charges simply for including more than one pet.
If you're unsure which size to choose or would like me to look at your photographs before ordering, you're always welcome to get in touch.
Finished hand-drawn pet portrait displayed beside the original reference photograph
