Everything you need to know about commissioning a custom portrait.

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 and painter, 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 photographs.

I combine the best details from multiple images to create an original composition designed specifically for you. I hand-paint the artwork digitally, refining every detail—from the likeness and expression to the background, lighting, and overall design—before it's printed on museum-quality archival canvas.

I then finish the painting by hand with layers of real oil paint and texture, adding the depth, richness, and brushwork that bring it to life.

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. 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 by talking about your ideas, gathering photographs, and planning the overall design. From there, I'll create your portrait digitally, refining every detail until it's ready for your review. Once you approve the finished design, I'll print it on museum-quality archival canvas and complete the painting by hand with layers of oil paint and texture. 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 unmistakably 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 finished digital design before it's printed on museum-quality archival canvas. 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.