Back in 2015, I was contacted by Glynn, who wanted to commission a custom memorial dog portrait of their much-loved companion, Buddy. Sadly, Buddy had passed away that February, and Glynn hoped to surprise his wife with a meaningful and heartfelt birthday gift — a realistic pastel painting that would capture Buddy’s spirit forever.
The main photo provided wasn’t particularly clear, which is something that often happens when we want to use our favourite pictures — they hold the most emotion but are not always the best quality for a painting. That’s why I always encourage my clients to send me several reference photos. Even if one picture is slightly blurry, additional images allow me to clearly see your pet’s features, markings, personality, and those unique little details that make them who they are.
For this pet portrait, I worked with all the reference images to ensure every detail of Buddy’s face and expression was captured accurately. The artwork was created using high-quality professional pastels on archival paper, which allow me to achieve softness, depth, and fine detail — ideal for realistic pet portraits.
I also added a personal touch to the background. Instead of leaving it plain, I positioned Buddy on a soft, cosy blanket, giving the piece warmth and character. One of the things I offer with my custom pet portraits is the option to adjust or completely change the background — I can place your pet in a favourite location, create a more artistic scene, or add meaningful details that weren’t in the original photo.
The finished painting turned out beautifully, and when Glynn saw the final result, his reaction meant everything:
“Yes, that’s Buddy for sure. What can I say — it’s brilliant! I think my wife will love it.”
It’s always such a privilege to create memorial pet portraits like this — timeless tributes that celebrate the bond we share with our pets. Buddy’s portrait now brings comfort and happy memories to his family every day.
If you’re thinking about commissioning a memorial dog portrait — whether it’s for yourself, a family member, or a friend — please don’t hesitate to get in touch. I would be honoured to create a heartfelt piece that celebrates the special bond you shared with your beloved pet.
You can also explore more examples of my work and see a variety of custom pet portraits by visiting my gallery for inspiration before placing your order.