Pet portraits created from customer photos
Every portrait I create begins with a photograph of a much-loved pet. Using coloured pencil and wax crayon on textured watercolour paper, I transform reference photos into expressive, character-led portraits that remain recognisable while celebrating the personality of each animal.
Below are real examples showing how customer photos are transformed into hand-drawn pet portraits.
Maverick the cockapoo - From photo to portrait
Maverick’s portrait was created from a bright outdoor photograph taken in his garden. His soft cream coat and gentle expression were carefully built up with layered coloured pencil and wax crayon to capture the texture of his fluffy fur while keeping his distinctive features instantly recognisable.
From photo to portrait - Pebbles the jack russell cross
Pebbles the Jack Russell cross was drawn from a close-up photograph that captured her curious head tilt and bright expression. The portrait focuses on the distinctive wiry texture of her coat and the warm tones around her ears and eyes, helping to bring out the lively personality that makes her instantly recognisable.
Combining multiple photos - Rocky, Dutch & Jessie
This portrait brings together three much-loved dogs — Rocky the beagle, Dutch and Jessie — using separate photographs provided by their owner. By combining multiple reference images, each dog could be drawn clearly and given equal presence in the finished artwork while still feeling like a natural group portrait.
It’s often possible to combine pets from different photos into a single portrait, which is especially helpful when the animals were photographed separately.
Want a portrait featuring more than one pet? You can commission a custom pet portrait here.
From photo to portrait - Dudley the parson russell terrier
Working from older or imperfect photos
Dudley’s portrait was created from a mobile phone screenshot provided by his owner. Although the original photo was slightly blurred, it still captured Dudley’s distinctive markings and expressive eyes, which allowed the portrait to remain recognisable while bringing out his personality.
Sadly Dudley had already passed away, so it wasn’t possible to take additional photographs. In cases like this I work carefully with the available images to create a portrait that becomes a meaningful keepsake of a much-loved companion.
From photo to portrait - Hope the rescue crossbreed
Hope’s portrait was created from a slightly blurred indoor photograph taken at home. Although the lighting in the original photo was quite dim, it still captured Hope’s distinctive ears and gentle expression, which became the focus of the finished portrait.
Many portraits begin with everyday phone photos taken indoors. Even when lighting isn’t perfect, it’s usually possible to work with the image to create a recognisable and characterful portrait.
Rocky - Papillon chihuahua cross portrait commission
Rocky is a Papillon–Chihuahua cross with the wonderfully expressive features that make small dogs so full of character — wide feathered ears, soft markings around the muzzle, and a thoughtful gaze.
For this portrait, the focus was on capturing Rocky’s distinctive face and lively coat texture. Using coloured pencil and wax crayon on textured paper, I built up layers of loose directional strokes to suggest the movement of his long fur while keeping the expression sharp and recognisable.
The result is a character-led portrait that stays faithful to the reference photograph while allowing the drawing to feel lively and expressive rather than rigidly photographic.
Star - Working cocker spaniel portrait commission
Star is a working Cocker Spaniel with the soft expression and rich chocolate coat typical of the breed. The reference photo captured her gentle, inquisitive look along with the long, slightly wavy ears that frame her face.
For this portrait, the aim was to keep the drawing loose and expressive while carefully building the warm brown tones of Star’s coat using layered coloured pencil and wax crayon. The directional marks help suggest the movement and texture of her longer fur, while the eyes remain the focal point of the portrait.
The finished piece keeps Star immediately recognisable while allowing the character and warmth of the drawing to come through.
How a photo becomes a portrait
1. You send a clear photo of your pet after placing your order.
2. I sketch the composition and begin building the portrait using coloured pencil and wax crayon.
3. Once complete and approved, the artwork is carefully packaged and shipped securely across the UK.
Each portrait is drawn by hand and is completely one-of-a-kind.
Commission your own pet portrait
If you have a favourite photograph of your dog, cat or other beloved animal, I’d love to turn it into a portrait full of character and personality.