Custom Oil Paintings of Dogs-Turning a photo of your pet into a painting
As a pet portrait artist, my job is to take your photographs and translate it into something that will outlast all of us: a hand-painted oil portrait of your dog.
If you've been searching for "custom dog oil painting," "pet portrait artist," or "commission a painting of my dog," here's what I want you to know about the process, the medium, and why this might be exactly the gift or keepsake you're looking for.
Why Oil Paint Is a Great Option for Pet Portraits
Oil paint has a natural luminosity, it holds layers of colour that let me build up the warmth of a golden retriever's coat or the subtle gray undertones in an aging black lab's muzzle. It dries slowly, which means I can blend, adjust, and refine until the likeness is unmistakably your dog, not just "a dog."
Oil paintings also last. With proper care, an oil portrait can remain vivid for well over a century. Clients often tell me they think of these portraits as heirlooms, something that will hang in their home long after their dog has passed, and get handed down the way a family photograph might.
What I Need From You to Get Started on Your Oil Painted Pet Portrait
The single biggest factor in how well a portrait turns out is the quality of the reference photos. When a new client reaches out, I always ask for:
Several close-up, well-lit photos — natural daylight photographs, not flash, since flash flattens fur texture and distorts both fur and eye colour.
Photos from a good angle— a three-quarter view usually paints most naturally, but a straight-on shot can work too. Nose level generally works best.
Please do check out my pet portrait photography guide, which will walk you through what we need from a photo!
I'm happy to talk through your photo options and help you pick the ones that will translate best onto canvas. If you are commissioning an oil painting of a dog or pet that has passed away, please do get in touch and I can discuss what is possible with your existing photos.
My Process, Start to Finish of Creating the Oil painting of Your Dog
Consultation — We talk about size, background, style (realistic vs. painterly), and which reference photos to use.
Painting — I can take progress photos if you wish, or send one when I'm nearly done!
Revisions — Once the painting is "finished," you get a window to request any adjustments — this is where I make sure I've captured the specific sparkle in your dog's eyes.
Varnishing and delivery — Oil paint needs varnishing before being posted out to you, this protects the paint, making sure it will last a lifetime.
Investment
Pricing depends on canvas size and whether you want a single dog or a multi-pet portrait. You can see my prices for an oil painted pet portrait here. I always provide a clear quote before any work begins, so there are no surprises. You only pay a deposit of a third of the cost once we have decided on the composition, and only pay the final balance once you are happy with the finished portrait.
Popular Reasons People Commission a Dog Oil Painting
A milestone gift — a graduation, wedding, or new-home present for a fellow dog lover
A memorial piece — many clients commission a portrait after losing a dog, wanting something that honours them beyond a photograph
Celebrating a senior dog — capturing them now, exactly as they are
Simply because they deserve it — plenty of clients commission a portrait purely because their dog is, in their words, "the best dog." I happen to agree, every time!
If your commission is for a memorial, please tell me so I can advise you what our options are. I take these commissions seriously and handle them with care.
Ready to Commission an Oil Painting of Your Dog?
If you have a dog who deserves their own oil painting, I'd love to hear about them. Reach out with a few photos and a sense of what you're picturing — size, style, background — and I'll walk you through next steps, timeline, and pricing.
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