Creating Lifelike Pet Portraits from Photos

Creativity has always been a part of me, but it was my Dad who first opened the door to the world of watercolours. 

He lived up in the highlands of Scotland, and every school holiday I would make the journey to stay with him.  It was during these holidays, around the age of 10, that our little painting tradition began.

We would sit together at the kitchen table, the smell of coffee and the soft hum of the highland wind outside, watching Simply Painting with Frank Clarke and painting along with him.

Those moments were filled with laughter, experimentation, and the quiet joy of creating something beautiful with my own hands and with my Dads help.  From those early afternoons with him, my love for watercolours took root. 

Over the years, as I started painting pet portraits, he remained my biggest supporter — always excited to see each new creation and proudly sharing in my journey. Those memories are still at the heart of every brushstroke I make today.

It’s this same passion and attention to detail that I bring to every pet portrait I create, combining my love of watercolours with a dedication to capturing the spirit of each animal. 

Watercolours are the perfect medium for capturing the heart and soul of your pet. Their softness and subtle transparency allow me to recreate the gentle texture of fur, feathers or scales - and to mix delicate pigments that reflect your pet's unique colouring.

Every carefully considered brushstroke allows me to bring out their character and capture their true likeness.

Here's why I love working with watercolours:

• Layering: Watercolours build up beautifully in delicate layers, creating a lifelike sense of depth - perfect for appearance soft fur, fluffy feathers, or smooth scales.

• Blending: The wet-on-wet technique allows for soft, seamless edges - ideal for capturing the fluffiness of pets.
  
• Detail: With a dry-on-dry method and fine brushes, I can add those tiny, defining details that make your pet unmistakably them.
  
• Luminosity: The transparent nature of watercolours makes them perfect for capturing the bright, luminous eyes of your pets and glowing highlights in their fur.
  
• Expression: Watercolours can be both precise and loose - allowing me to blend realism with a touch of artistry that captures your pet's unique personality.

Whether you're looking for a painting of a dog, cat, bird or reptile - watercolours are truly the perfect medium in which to capture all your pet's unique qualities.

When I paint, my focus is always on likeness — capturing the individual features that make your pet unmistakably them. 

But for me, a portrait is about so much more than just accuracy. I aim to bring out each pet’s unique personality.  Whether it’s a playful tilt of the head, the softness of their ears, or that knowing, heart-melting look they give us, I take the time to notice the little details that make them so special.

Each portrait is hand-painted from your photographs, with patience, care, and an artist’s eye for character. 

I love keeping you involved in the process — sharing updates, discussing colours, and making sure every brushstroke feels right. The goal is to create a piece that doesn’t just look like your pet, but feels like them — a lasting memory that celebrates the joy they bring to your life.  

It’s always a joy to hear how these portraits are received. One gift recipient shared:

"I received this as a gift today and feel completely overwhelmed - I can't stop looking at it! You captured the complexity of my beautiful rabbit's features and personality perfectly. Truly stunning. It has become my prized possession."

- Linsey, UK    

The gifter added:

"In real life it was even more amazing that in the picture! Everyone who has seen it is amazed at how wonderfully you captured the rabbits. Thank you for keeping me updated throughout the process - you've been an absolute star."

- Lewis, UK 

Moments like these are why I love what I do — and why every portrait I create is painted with care, love, and attention to the little things that make your pet truly special.

Every pet is unique, and their story deserves to be celebrated. Whether you’d like a portrait of your own dog, cat, or another beloved companion — or you’re searching for the perfect gift for a fellow pet lover — I’d be honoured to bring their personality to life in a hand-painted portrait.  

A portrait isn’t just a picture — it’s a keepsake that captures the spirit, quirks, and love you share with your pet. 

From the sparkle in their eyes to the softness of their fur, every detail is lovingly recreated to create a memory that will be treasured for years to come.  

Take a look through my gallery for inspiration and see how I bring each pet’s personality to life, or head to my contact page so we can start creating your very own special portrait.  

Your pet deserves to be celebrated — let’s capture their essence together!