The Process and FAQ

HOW YOUR PORTRAIT COMES TO LIFE
Every portrait begins with photos and ends as an original work of art.

Don't worry if your favorite photos aren't perfect. Most portraits begin with everyday snapshots. I'll guide you on exactly what I need and combine multiple images to create the finished composition.

I combine the best details from your photographs into a thoughtfully designed composition to create a painting that captures the likeness, expression, and personality you love.

This isn't a one-click AI portrait or a photo filter. Every portrait is individually designed, carefully refined, and finished by hand—created exclusively for you. 

Once you approve the design, it's printed on museum-quality archival canvas and finished by hand with layers of oil paint and texture.

1. WE'LL PLAN YOUR PORTRAIT
We'll talk about your horse, dog, or other subject, the feeling you want the painting to capture, the size, colors, and where it will hang. If I need additional photos, I'll let you know exactly what to send.




2. YOU APPROVE THE PROOF
I create your portrait digitally first, so you'll see exactly what it will look like before I begin the final artwork. Nothing moves forward until you say,

"That's them."

3. I BRING IT TO LIFE
Your approved portrait is printed on museum-quality archival canvas, then I finish it by hand with oil paint and texture, bringing depth, light, and life to every brushstroke.

The finished piece isn't simply a print or a painting—it's an original mixed-media artwork.

4. FRAMING (OPTIONAL)
We'll talk through framing options, and I'm happy to ship your portrait ready to hang or unframed.

5. IT ARRIVES
Within 6–8 weeks, your portrait is carefully finished and ready for shipping. Crafted with museum-quality materials, it's made to be enjoyed for generations.

This is the portrait you'll smile at every time you walk past it.


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Custom Pet Portrait FAQ | Kathy Morley

Questions & Answers

Everything you need to know about commissioning a custom portrait.

Whether you're wondering about the process, the artwork, or what makes these paintings different, you'll find the answers here.

  • This isn't a one-click AI portrait or a photo filter. Every portrait is individually designed around your horse, dog, or cat and carefully refined by hand before being finished with real oil paint and texture.

    AI can imitate a style, but it doesn't know what matters to you. It doesn't know your horse's expression, your dog's favorite place to swim, or the colors that will make the painting feel at home in your living room.

    After more than 25 years as a professional portrait photographer, I've learned that every animal has a personality. Some dogs are ball-obsessed athletes; others are champion couch potatoes. Every portrait is designed around who they are, not just what they look like.

    My own dog George hangs above our fireplace in a winter scene at our cottage lake, painted in the same colors as our living room. It's not just a portrait of George—it's a portrait of our life with him. That's not something an app can create.
  • Traditional oil painters begin with a blank canvas. I begin with your photos.

    I combine the best details from multiple images, design the composition, and carefully refine every detail before the artwork is printed on archival canvas and finished by hand with layers of oil paint and texture. This mixed-media process combines the accuracy of a carefully designed digital foundation with the warmth, depth, and presence of real oil painting.

    The result is a painting that captures an accurate likeness while still having the beauty and richness of fine art. You don't have to choose between an accurate likeness and a beautiful painting. You get both.
  • Portraits begin at £2,500, with most commissions ranging from £3,500 to £8,000+, depending on size, complexity, and the level of detail in the painting.

    Every portrait is individually designed around your horse, dog, or cat, so I'll provide a detailed quote after we've discussed your ideas, photos, and the overall vision for the artwork. You'll know exactly what to expect before anything begins. A reservation deposit secures your place on my schedule, with the remaining balance divided into two payments during the process.
  • You're getting more than 25 years of taste, vision, and craftsmanship—a photographer's eye for light and likeness, combined with a painter's hand. But honestly, clients say it best: a portrait becomes more valuable every year.

    While your horse, dog, or cat is with you, it captures exactly who they are in this season of life. One day, it becomes something irreplaceable—a daily reminder of the love, joy, and memories you shared. That's why so many clients tell me it's the first thing they look at when they walk into the room.
  • Yes—and it's some of the most meaningful work I do. Many clients come to me after a loss, and I understand how tender that time is. We move gently, at your pace.

    When the portrait is finished, clients often tell me it feels as though that presence is back in the home. The animal they loved is on the wall again. It's not a replacement—it's a way of keeping them close.
  • Most portraits are completed within 6 to 8 weeks.

    We'll begin with a conversation about your vision, gather the photos, and create a design for your approval before the final painting begins. You'll know exactly what to expect every step of the way.
  • The better the photos, the better I can capture your animal's likeness—but I can often work with everyday snapshots. Sharp focus and natural light are the most helpful.

    For the best results, I like to see clear photos of the face, eyes, and markings, along with images that show the full body, including the chest, legs, feet, tail, and coat color. The more angles I have, the more accurately I can recreate the details that make your horse, dog, or cat uniquely them.

    If I'm in your area, I'm also happy to photograph your horse, dog, or cat for you.
  • Yes. I create portraits for clients across the U.S. and internationally. Each painting is carefully packed to arrive safely and beautifully. Shipping costs vary by destination and are simply passed along at the actual carrier cost.
  • Once the artwork is printed on archival canvas, I finish it by hand with layers of oil paint and texture. I build up selected areas of the painting to create subtle brushwork, richness, and dimension that simply can't be achieved with a flat print.

    As light moves across the surface, you'll see the paint catch the light and the texture come to life. It's not a print that's been enhanced with a little paint—it's an original mixed-media painting designed to be enjoyed for years to come.
  • Yes. Better photos produce the sharpest likeness, but years as a professional portrait photographer have taught me how to work with what you have. Often, I can combine details from multiple photos to create a portrait that's stronger than any single image.

    Most importantly, you'll approve the design before the final painting begins. You'll see the composition, the background, the colors, and the overall look of the portrait before I move forward. That means you can feel confident you'll love the finished painting.

Ready when you are

Whether you're still gathering ideas or already have the perfect photos, I'd love to hear about the horse, dog, or cat you'd like to celebrate.

Begin the conversation →