Custom Watercolor Pet Portraits

I'll need one photo to work from, but lots of folks send me multiple photos and let me choose. The most important thing in your reference photo is your subject's expression. I cannot change this, so choosing an emotional expression you like is key.

From there, try to choose photos that:
- show face details clearly
- are well-lit
- are close-up

After checkout you will be directed to a form where you can upload your reference photo(s).

If for whatever reason we cannot find a reference photo that will translate well into a portrait, I will give you a 100% refund.

For pet portraits, I only paint the face and a bit of the neck/shoulders. Focusing on the face makes the most dramatic portraits.

Please refer to the black announcement bar near the top of this page to see when portraits are shipping out.

Shipping is available to Canada and the domestic United States for $28. Shipping is also available to Alaska, UK, Sweden, and Ireland for between $60-90. If you live somewhere else please let me know before checkout so I can add a shipping option to your country.

There is space to let me know your specific requests in the order form you'll fill out after checkout. Some common requests include color preferences, adding the subject's name below my signature, and making sure you have your portrait by a specific date.

I only offer one size - 22×28 inches. This size is large enough to allow the paint and water to mix and create beautiful blooms, runs and granulations. I am able to capture much more detail when I paint big like this. It is also a standard frame size to make framing your finished portrait as easy as possible.

I've found that portraits with more than one subject lose the impact and interest that a portrait of a single subject has. It also takes significantly more time, so costs would go up enough to warrant the purchase of separate portraits anyway.

I am not able to include props or complex backgrounds in portraits. I’ve found that both of these things significantly distract from the subject and the resulting portrait is not impactful.

Your finished portrait will be 22x28 inches, a standard frame size. This means that you can grab an inexpensive frame from a big box store, or invest in an archival frame from your local custom framing shop.

AI art is everywhere, but NOT HERE. Every single portrait is drawn and painted by hand by me. I use Photoshop to edit your reference photo if needed, and Canva to trace your reference photo onto my painting surface to make sure I get the proportions of your pet 100% accurate.

Custom artwork is an investment- and I want to honor that. When your portrait is finished, I will email you a photo of it. If you don't like it and I can't fix it, I will give you a 100% refund. Please note that once you approve the photo of your portrait and your art has shipped, I cannot offer refunds.

I'm happy to report that I've shipped dozens of commissions and this has never happened. I package each portrait with care and ship via USPS Priority Mail. However, I understand that it is a possiblity, so just send me a photo of the damage, or a screenshot of the USPS tracking or a USPS lost item inquiry, and I will send you a replacement portrait print. It won't be the original, but it will be a beautiful high-quality archival print.

By completing your purchase, you agree to the following:

I understand that my portrait will be of one subject only. The inclusion of props or complex backgrounds will be at the artist's discretion.

I understand that the artist may not accept the provided reference photo as one she can work from, in which case I will receive a 100% refund.

Any artwork reproductions made by the client with the provided digital files or by any other means are for the client's personal use only and may not be resold.

Aquila Watercolor owns the rights to the artwork created and may create reproductions for resale, and use images and video of the artwork for marketing and instructional purposes (including YouTube instructional videos).

Provided reference photo(s) may be used for marketing and instructional purposes (including YouTube instructional videos), but will not be sold or reproduced by Aquila Watercolor.

Happiness Promise: A refund must be requested before the artwork ships. Once the artwork ships, the sale is final and no refund can be given. If your artwork is damaged in transit, send me a photo of the damage or a screenshot of the USPS tracking or a USPS lost item inquiry, and I will send you a replacement portrait print. It won't be the original, but it will be a full size high-quality archival print.

Do you work with a pet rescue organization that hosts silent auctions? Reach out to me to request a custom portrait donation for your silent auction fundraisers. These typically raise anywhere from $100-$500 and are real conversation starters. I've partnered with the following amazing organizations (so far!): Animal Humane Society, Southern Valley Alliance, Spare Key, KnickKnack Pittie Pack Dog Rescue, and Doberman Rescue Minnesota.