1. Contact me with your requirements and photos

2. We agree the details and delivery date

3. I will send an invoice for the deposit

4. The work will commence and I will send email progress updates

5. I send you a photo of the finished piece for approval. You can decide not to proceed at this point if you are not 100% satisfied. The deposit is not refundable and will cover my costs for materials.

6. I will invoice you for final payment including shipping and send the portrait


All prices listed are for head and part shoulders with a plain or blank background. They are on Sennelier Royal Sovereign pastel card which is a sanded textured surface which holds pastel well with no need for fixing. This ensures that your portrait remains in top condition for many years with no yellowing from fixatives. It is important to keep your portrait under glass, dry and away from direct sunlight and it will stay as new. I use only top quality artist pastels with highly lightfast pigments to ensure longevity and rich colours. Pastels are not chalk but are almost pure pigments held together with a minimum of binder. These are the same pigments that are found in oil paints or watercolours.

The sizes listed represent commonly found readily available mount and frame sizes for your convenience. I can recommend where to purchase frames that will enhance your portrait or I can frame for you. Remember that adding a frame will also raise the cost of shipping and increases the risk of damage in transit as it is most often a broken frame that will cause the most damage to a painting. Your portrait will be supplied already mounted and ready to frame.

Should you require a full body portrait or a particular background then please contact me to discuss you needs. Remember that you can also purchase a gift voucher so that a friend or family member can have a portrait painted as a gift.

Size Fits mount Price Shipping

12¾ in x 9¾ in (32.5 x25cm) outer size: 40x30cm, aperture size: 30x20cm £95.00 free in UK

12in x 16in (40x30cm) outer size: 50x40cm, aperture size: 35x28cm £140.00 free in UK

Supplied with mounts ready to frame. Signed and dated front and back with certificate of authenticity by the artist.

Larger sizes available upon request and for 2 or more pets together.

Please read my guide for getting good workable photos that I can use as it is vital to the process.


For a portrait to be successful I believe there are two essential elements. Firstly the end result must be a good painting in its own right and secondly to capture the personality and likeness to the subject. It has often been said that a good painted portrait is better than a photo and there are good reasons for this. A portrait will usually simplify the subject and focus on the most important elements as well as enhancing and introducing colours to add more drama or interest. These are the objectives I aspire to when I undertake a portrait whether it is an animal or a person.
There are 3 things I really look for in a pet photo. Eyes, nose and fur direction. A good photo will show the eye sockets, lids as well as eye colour and highlights. The same goes for the nose too where we can see nostrils and highlights and not just a dark blob. The direction of fur changes all over your pets face and defines its shape and affects the way the light catches it and therefore the local colour. The actual colour you see will depend upon where your animal is at the time, sunset, noon, a snowy winter day, by the fireside and so on. What often makes a painting more interesting than a photo is being able to peer into the darker areas and shadows. Photographs usually lose these dark areas as the camera is focused on the light. Taking a photo on a very bright sunny day is likely to emphasise this even more. Also on very bright days your pet will squint just as we do.

I have found there are a number of things you can do to improve your chances of getting a good photograph but be prepared to take your time and have a few sessions to get what you feel you are happy with. Remember not to stress your pet and make taking photos a fun game to play. Try getting your pet by a window on a bright day but not in direct sunlight. Light from above and one side will provide good lighting and interest. Be careful not to have odd shadows cast on your pet by patterned curtains or blinds. Have someone hold your pet if possible and a second person attract its attention with a treat or favourite toy whilst you concentrate on your camera. If your camera has continuous auto focus then turn it on as your pet will be moving much more than you think and it will help you to get sharper images. Throwing a toy will usually get your pets attention and can provide some great wide eyed and alert photos. Try not to take photos completely face on or from above. Being at the same height as your pet and attracting its attention to one side of you will get you good results. Here are some ideas and examples to help you.