Pet portrait commissions: prices and what to send the artist
Pet portrait prices depend mostly on the medium and the size. One published Australian guide gives average ranges of $50–$200 for pencil or charcoal sketches, $100–$500 for watercolour, $200–$1,000+ for acrylic or oil, and $50–$500 for digital portraits [1]. Extra pets, bigger canvases and detailed backgrounds cost more. The single biggest thing you control is the reference photo: a sharp, well-lit photo taken at your pet's eye level gives the artist far more to work with than a blurry snapshot from above.
Prices by medium
| Medium | Published average range [1] | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Pencil or charcoal | $50–$200 | Quickest; monochrome |
| Watercolour | $100–$500 | Soft, light look |
| Acrylic or oil | $200–$1,000+ | Rich colour; oils need drying time |
| Digital | $50–$500 | Delivered as a file; print it any size |
The guide is from an Australian print company and doesn't state a currency code, so read it as a rough guide rather than a price list [1]. Prices vary with the artist's experience, location and demand. The bids on your job are the real number.
What moves the price
- Size. Larger pieces take more materials and time [1].
- Number of pets. Each extra animal adds complexity and usually cost [1].
- Background. A plain background is quickest. A garden, a favourite chair or a full scene adds hours.
- Detail and style. Loose and expressive is quicker than photorealistic fur.
- Framing and shipping, for physical work.
- Deadline. Gifts for holidays and birthdays fill artists' queues. Digital portraits can take days, oil or acrylic several weeks [1].
What to send the artist
Reference photos
The artist can only paint what they can see. Tips from photographers and pet-portrait painters:
- Get down to your pet's eye level rather than shooting from above [2][3].
- Use natural light. Shoot near a large window or outdoors in soft light. Natural light is ideal for pet portraits, and a flash may spook your animal [3].
- Focus on the eyes, or the eye nearest the camera if the head is turned [3].
- Send the highest resolution you have [2]. Use the original file rather than a screenshot.
- Send several photos. One may capture the expression and another the true colour of the coat. Artists can work from more than one [2].
- Include the whole body if you want a full-body pose, so the artist has options [2].
If your pet has passed away, send every photo you have, even blurry ones. Tell the artist which shows the expression you remember. Many artists work from old phone photos, as long as they have enough detail [2].
Other details
- Your pet's name, and whether you'd like it included.
- Markings and colours that photos get wrong. A white chest that looks grey, one blue eye.
- Pose and crop: head only, head and shoulders, or full body.
- Size and medium, or ask the artist to suggest.
- Background colour or scene.
- Where it will hang, for size and colour.
- Deadline and delivery address.
Choosing a medium
- Pencil or charcoal suits a classic, timeless look and a smaller budget. It works well for dogs and cats with strong contrast in their coats.
- Watercolour gives a soft, light portrait. It's good for nurseries, gifts and pets with gentle colouring.
- Acrylic or oil gives depth and rich colour, and suits a statement piece or a detailed background. Allow for drying time with oils.
- Digital is quick to deliver and easy to print on canvas, paper or a card. You'll arrange the printing yourself, or ask the artist to.
- Something else? Embroidered, needle-felted and sculpted pet portraits are commissionable too. Describe the idea and let makers suggest.
Look at each artist's past pet portraits in the medium you want. Fur, eyes and noses are where skill shows most.
Questions to ask the artist
- Will I see a sketch before you start the final piece?
- How many changes are included, and at which stage?
- Is framing included? Shipping?
- Do you need more photos?
- May you post the portrait online? Say if you'd rather they didn't.
- If it's digital, what file size and format will I get, and can I print it?
Copyright in the portrait usually stays with the artist unless you agree otherwise in writing. That's fine for hanging it at home. If you want to put it on mugs or sell prints, agree that up front.
Commissioning through The Spool List
On The Spool List you post your pet portrait brief once, free, with your photos and size. Verified artists bid with a price and a timeline, and you choose based on their past work. You pay when you accept, the payment is protected, and the artist is paid when you confirm delivery. There's no buyer fee. See how it works, our price guide, and the fine art market on The Spool List.
Post your pet portrait commission free.
FAQ
How much does a pet portrait cost?
One published guide gives $50–$200 for sketches up to $200–$1,000+ for acrylic or oil [1]. Size, number of pets and background change the price.
How long does a pet portrait take?
From a few days for digital to several weeks for oil or acrylic, according to the same guide [1]. Ask each artist for a timeline.
Can an artist paint from an old or blurry photo?
Often, yes, if enough detail is visible [2]. Send every photo you have and point out the one with the right expression.
Can I add two pets from different photos?
Yes. Artists combine photos regularly. Tell them how the animals should sit together, and send photos with similar lighting if you can.