Pet portrait commissions

Custom pet portraits, painted by hand from your photos

Commission a real artist to paint the expression, markings, and personality that make your companion unmistakably yours. MadeMay pet portraits are created by hand, one at a time, from the photographs and stories you share.

2 vetted artists8 real portfolio examplesStarting at $500100% handmade

The people behind the work

Artists who paint pets with personality

A strong pet portrait is about more than breed and coloring. These artists use posture, expression, texture, and setting to make the finished painting feel like the animal you know.

Scottish Terrier and Mixed Shih Tzu Painting | Mixed Media  & Oil by Renee Dumont

Renee Dumont

Boston, MA

From
$2,000

Fine Art Commission Specialist | Contemporary Impressionist Floral Landscapes & Select Pet Portraits

Renee Dumont works from Boston, MA. Their materials include Oil, Acrylic, and Mixed Media. Their portfolio includes "Scottish Terrier and Mixed Shih Tzu Painting | Mixed Media & Oil" and "Siberian Husky Painting | Mixed Media & Oil". Talk with Renee about a handmade pet portrait from your photographs, with room to personalize the setting, palette, and mood. Their MadeMay commissions currently start at $2,000; the final price depends on the specific size, material, and scope.

View Renee's profile
Panda by Ritina Ansurkar

Ritina Ansurkar

Johnson City, Tennessee

From
$500

Self-taught acrylic & oil painter — bold landscapes, cityscapes, and figurative works

Ritina Ansurkar works from Johnson City, Tennessee. Their materials include acrylic, oil, canvas, and wood. Their portfolio includes "Panda". Talk with Ritina about a handmade pet portrait from your photographs, with room to personalize the setting, palette, and mood. Their MadeMay commissions currently start at $500; the final price depends on the specific size, material, and scope.

View Ritina's profile

The commission process

How to commission a pet portrait

You do not need a studio photograph. The artist needs clear visual information and a sense of your pet's personality, then can help choose the image and composition that will translate best into paint.

  1. 01

    Share favorite photos

    Send clear images of the face, eyes, markings, and body. Include the photograph that feels most like your pet, even if another image is technically sharper.

  2. 02

    Choose the artistic approach

    Compare realism, impressionism, bold color, quiet naturalism, and playful styles, along with oil, acrylic, watercolor, and mixed media.

  3. 03

    Personalize the portrait

    Discuss background, pose, collar, favorite place, nameplate, flowers, toys, or whether people and multiple pets should appear together.

  4. 04

    Approve the finished work

    Follow the artist's progress, confirm the final portrait, and coordinate drying, framing, packing, and delivery.

Planning your commission

Photographs that help an artist capture your pet

Eye-level photographs usually feel more personal than images taken from above. Natural light helps the artist see fur color and markings, while several angles clarify muzzle length, ears, and body shape.

For a memorial portrait, include photographs from different stages of your pet's life and tell the artist which age, expression, and small details you remember most clearly.

Helpful details to share

  • Photograph your pet near a window or outdoors in soft light
  • Include close-ups of the eyes and distinctive markings
  • Tell the artist about temperament and favorite places
  • Mention whether the portrait is a gift or memorial
Describe your project

Invitation-only artists

Every MadeMay artist is selected before joining the marketplace.

Handmade originals

No AI-generated art and no factory or mass production.

One connected record

Scope, messages, payment, and delivery stay connected on MadeMay.

Questions clients ask

About custom pet portraits

Can an artist paint a pet who has passed away?

Yes. Artists regularly create memorial portraits from older photographs. Send every useful image available and describe the expression, age, markings, and personality you want the portrait to preserve.

Can several pets be included in one portrait?

Yes. Pets can often be combined from separate photographs. The artist will plan relative scale, lighting, and composition so the finished group feels natural.

What if my photo is not high resolution?

Ask the artist before ruling it out. Additional images may fill in missing detail, and some painterly styles can work well from imperfect or older references.

How much does a custom pet portrait cost?

Price depends on the artist, size, medium, number of pets, background, and detail. Artist starting prices are listed on MadeMay, with the final quote agreed after the references are reviewed.

Begin with a conversation

Tell us what you want made. We will help you find the right artist.

Share the idea, references, dimensions, budget, and timing. You can compare artists and ask questions before deciding how to proceed.

Start a custom project