When you commission a custom pet portrait, you’re not just ordering a painting – you’re creating a special piece of art that captures the love, character, and unique personality of your beloved pet. Whether it’s a lively dog, a gentle cat, or a cherished animal friend, a hand-painted portrait is a meaningful keepsake to treasure for years.
At Irisha’s Pet Portraits, I offer three beautiful mediums for your portrait – pastel, oil, and acrylic – and each has its own unique charm. In this guide, I’ll help you understand the differences so you can choose the perfect style for your commissioned artwork.
Pastel Pet Portraits – Soft, Delicate and Full of Life
Most Popular Choice for Pet Portraits
Pastel is by far the most popular choice for pet portraits, and for good reason. It’s especially well suited to capturing the softness of fur, the expressive features of dogs and cats, and those tiny but important details that bring a portrait to life.
Although often referred to as a drawing medium, I create a pastel painting – the entire surface is fully covered in pastel, with no paper showing through. Each layer is carefully fixed during the process to preserve vibrancy and depth, though I leave the final layer unfixed to maintain the rich colour and detail.
Key Benefits of Pastel Portraits:
Ideal for showing fur texture and softness
Delicate, detailed, and lifelike
Ready for collection as soon as completed
Comes with free professional framing
Care and Longevity:
Pastel artworks are somewhat fragile and must be framed under glass or kept protected with glassine paper. However, when framed properly and handled with care, they remain vibrant and beautiful for decades.
As an experienced pet portrait artist, I only use high-quality, professional materials from trusted art brands – ensuring your portrait remains a cherished keepsake for years to come.
Oil Pet Portraits – Rich, Vibrant, and Timeless
A Classic Choice for Dog and Cat Portraits
Oil paint has a long-standing reputation in the art world for its depth, vibrancy, and elegant finish. My oil pet portraits are perfect for those seeking a traditional, timeless piece with strong visual impact and a classic fine art feel.
Oil allows for beautifully smooth blending, rich coverage, and a fluid, painterly effect. It works especially well for my classic artistic style, giving each pet portrait a refined and powerful presence.
Key Benefits of Oil Portraits:
Deep, vibrant colours and soft blending
Beautiful fluid brushwork
Can be hung without framing or framed if desired
A stunning visual centrepiece for any home
Things to Keep in Mind:
Oil paint takes time to dry. Although modern mediums can significantly reduce drying times, a completed oil portrait will still require a few months (at least 4 to 5 weeks for smaller paintings) before varnishing and final delivery. If you’re planning a gift or special event, this is worth considering.
Once cured and varnished, oil portraits are durable and safe to display, lasting for generations with minimal care.
Acrylic Pet Portraits – Bright, Bold and Fast-Drying
A Modern and Striking Alternative
Acrylic is a fantastic option for clients who want a vivid and contemporary portrait without the long wait. It’s known for its bold colours, fast drying time, and sharp definition – great for pets with striking markings or for those who love a more crisp, modern look.
While acrylic dries quickly, creating a layered portrait with rich detail still takes time. I build up the image carefully, layer by layer, to achieve the depth and realism that makes your custom pet portrait truly special.
Key Benefits of Acrylic Portraits:
Quick drying time
Sharp, vibrant colour with excellent contrast
Long-lasting and easy to care for
Can be hung as-is or framed
Visual Style:
Acrylic portraits tend to have a sharper, more defined finish than oil, and a slightly less fluid appearance. They’re a great choice if you prefer a clean and vivid style, and they offer wonderful durability too.
Which One is Right for You?
No matter which medium you choose, your pet portrait will be a heartfelt and authentic artwork, lovingly hand-painted by me using the finest materials.
If you’re drawn to soft fur detail and expressive features, pastel is a beautiful option and can be framed and displayed straight away, although it does need to be protected under glass.
For those who love a classic, elegant style with fluid brushwork and rich colour, oil is ideal. It does take a few months to fully dry before varnishing, but the end result is timeless and can be displayed framed or unframed.
If you prefer a bold, modern look with sharp lines and vibrant colours, acrylic is a fantastic choice. It dries quickly and is ready to hang or frame soon after completion.
Still unsure? I’m happy to help you choose the best medium based on your pet’s photo and your personal style preferences.
Ready to Commission Your Custom Pet Portrait?
Whether you choose pastel, oil or acrylic, your portrait will be created with love, skill, and attention to detail. You can find more information on pricing and the ordering process here, or feel free to get in touch for a personal recommendation.
Let’s bring your pet’s spirit to life on canvas – a piece of art to treasure forever.
