Becca Nolan
Pet portrait commission
Pet portrait commission
Pet portraits are a really special way to capture your pet's personality in a single moment.
Whether it be in honour of your own beloved pet, or as a gift for an animal lover, I create beautifully crafted investment pieces that are the perfect way to treasure your pet for years to come. I use fine quality materials, including acid-free and lignin-free paper, to ensure your portrait lasts the test of time. All custom pet portraits come mounted and with a certificate of authenticity.
To book, simply fill out the booking form. You can read more about how to commission a portrait in the FAQs at the bottom of the page, or by clicking 'Process' in the drop-down menu below, where I talk you through the process from booking to final payment. Please note that portraits of more than one pet in the same picture are unavailable for A5 and square sizes.
I work through my orders on a first come, first served basis so I can develop a waiting list at times, which means that lead times can vary. Regular updates on commission availability can be found in the announcements bar at the top of the page.
Price Calculator
Use the price calculator for an instant quote, or click here to view the full price list. Commission fees are split across two payments: a 20% deposit taken upfront when I have received your booking, and a final payment of 80% once the work is complete and before it is shipped.
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The prices shown are for head and neck portraits of one or two subjects. If you would like more than two subjects in the same portrait, a size other than the ones you see here or my miniature pet portraits, or a full-body portrait please get in touch for a quote.
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Process
Choosing your size and reference photos
When you decide to commission a custom pet portrait, the first step is to select the perfect reference photo or photos of your pet. You can upload a few different photos if you wish and I am more than happy to help you choose.
I will need high-resolution images with good lighting in order to focus in on every detail. I love to draw every strand of fur, the lights in your pets eyes and every mark, curl, pattern or splodge, so the photos you upload should be really clear.
If you need help taking or choosing the ideal reference photo, you can check out my guide here.
Before you place your order you will also need to select what sized portrait you would like. If you are looking for something smaller than A5, you can find that here. You can use the price calculator below the product description for an instant quote as to how much your pet portrait will cost.
Once you have decided on a size, fill out the booking form and upload your pictures.
Deposit payment
Once you have submitted the booking form, I will send you an invoice for a deposit. This is an upfront payment of 20% and is taken through Shopify's secure payment system. This is to cover the initial costs of materials and the time it takes to get your commission started, e.g. discussions about reference photos, initial sketches etc.
Creating your unique artwork
Once we are both happy that we have a clear idea of what your custom pet portrait is going to look like, I will begin to meticulously add detail to your drawing. Bringing your pet to life is a slow process as I add expression to their eyes, build up the texture of their fur strand by strand and capture their unique personality. The results are so worth the wait!
I will update you along the way (unless you want to keep it a surprise!) so that you always know what to expect from the process and, once your portrait is finished, I will send you a photo to make sure you're happy with it.
Final payment and delivery
When your portrait is finished, I will ask you to sign it off as complete and you will receive an invoice for the final payment of 80%. I will then pack your order, along with a certificate of authenticity, using a plastic free wrap and strong, thick cardboard to protect against bending or damage.
See below for delivery costs.
Pricing and payments
Pricing is calculated based on the hours of work taken to draw a head and neck portrait in each different size, for example an A3 portrait can take between 12-14 hours for one subject.
Payments are split between a 20% deposit taken up front and a final payment once the work is complete. Deposits are non-refundable once work has started on your commission. When the work is complete, I will send you a photo for you to approve and, once you are happy with it and I have received the final payment, your custom pet portrait will be delivered to your door.
Delivery fees
If you live locally to the Wirral you are able to choose to collect your order for free.
UK-wide delivery (including the Isle of Man and Channel Islands) for pet portrait commissions is as follows:
- A5 size - 3.50
- A4 and 30x30 cm sizes - 4.19
- A3, 42x42cm and A2 sizes - 8.35
FAQ
How can I commission a pet portrait?
Using the form above, fill out your details, and select the size of portrait you would like and the number of subjects, which is the number of pets you would like to be in the portrait - so if you have two pets, you're going to select "2" subjects.
Next, upload as many pictures as you would like me to look at onto the file uploader by dragging and dropping them into the area above the "book" button or clicking "browse for images." You can find out more about how to select reference photos here.
Once I have received your booking request, you will be sent an email invoice asking you for a deposit of 20% via Shopify's secure payment system. This is an upfront payment to cover material costs and the time it takes to view your photos and come up with an initial sketch and is non-refundable once I have started work on your commission. Full payment will only be taken once your portrait is finished and has been approved by you!
If you have any questions along the way you can easily reach out to me via the Contact page.
How long will it take to draw my pet portrait?
This greatly depends on how long my waiting list is. I work on commissions on a first come first served basis, so if you have a date in mind then it is always best to order early. You can find information about commission availability in the "Custom pet portrait commission" product description as well as the announcements bar at the very top of the page.
Once I have started your portrait, the time it takes to complete will then depend on the size and complexity of the picture. An A4 drawing can take three to five days, whereas an A2 drawing will take up to two weeks to complete. I will keep you updated about your order once I have started work on it so you will never be in the dark about its progress.
Can I order a pet portrait with more than two subjects?
Yes, you can! If you would like a portrait with more than two subjects, get in touch with me via my contact page and I can provide you with a quote. You can view pet portraits with three subjects in my gallery.
Please note that portraits of more than one subject are unavailable on certain sizes, such as square sizes and A5 (where it would be too difficult to capture as much detail as I would like due to the small size).
Do you offer pet portraits smaller than A5?
Yes, I am currently offering miniature portraits as well as larger commissions. These are 10 x 10cm. They are an affordable option and make great gifts! You can find more information and place a miniature pet portrait order here.
Can you draw a colour portrait?
Unfortunately I am not offering colour portraits currently. I have used acrylic paints in the past and hope to build up some practice with them again soon, but for now I am concentrating on graphite pencil and I can see this remaining my favourite medium for pet portraits as I just love the simplicity and timelessness of the portraits I can create with them!
I do see a lot of artists primarily using coloured pencil, however this is not a medium I was ever taught to use and can require different techniques to using graphite pencil. Maybe one day I will buy some coloured pencils and learn to draw with them though!
Can my pet portrait have a background?
I have only done portraits without a background so far and do prefer to do them this way, as I feel having a background detracts from the pet. However, if you are dead-set on including a background in your commissioned piece, feel free to contact me to discuss what you would like. Adding a background can be more costly as it will be more time consuming so I will get back to you with a quote.
I am not local to the Wirral, can I have my pet portrait shipped?
You absolutely can! I currently ship commissioned portraits unframed and lying flat, using strong, thick cardboard to protect them from damage or bending during transit. I currently use the Royal Mail and the cost of shipping depends on the size of the portrait. You can find delivery costs in the 'delivery fees' section above.
Though I haven't shipped a portrait abroad yet, if you live overseas I am more than willing to look into shipping costs to get a portrait of your beloved pet to you.
What materials do you use?
I currently use Staedtler Tradition graphite pencils and enjoy using the darker grades such as 6B. I have spent a long time researching the best paper to use and currently draw on Fabriano paper, which has a lightly textured feel and is acid-free and lignin-free, meaning that your pet portrait will last to become an heirloom piece.