How your pet drawing comes to life

From a special photograph to an adored hand-drawn portrait

How i bring your photo to life

I could be all mysterious and hide my process from potential clients. But that isn’t me. I like to know what my money is buying when I order something!

You’ve visited my price list and got your size, colour option and head count down – what happens next? You contact me to book a spot on my list, which is also a prime opportunity to ask any questions you may have. I take a 50% deposit to book your spot in the queue.

Next the photo selection begins, I work with you to find the perfect photo/s for your portrait. I then use them to put together a mock-up for your pet drawing that I will work from as my reference.

This is where I have the most fun. The drawing stage! Creating a beautiful portrait for you is the best thing in the world. You wont convince me otherwise. I do my very best to record the drawing process as a timelapse – this is a free bonus that I gift to my clients!

Once the drawing has been approved by you, it is then packaged up ready for free local pick-up, or flat rate shipping. All portraits are priced unframed, but I am always happy to arrange for framing if desired. My local framer does a beautiful job.

I also offer gift wrapping and/or greeting cards with your own special message for a small fee.

See Portfolio gallery

from photo to pet drawing: how it works

So you’ve decided to book me in and have your pet drawing commissioned... very exciting! You might wonder what's next? I've put together a full description of my pet drawing process below, so you know what to expect.

If you have any questions about any of the steps, please take a look at the frequently asked questions from my customers below. If you still have any questions before you order your pet drawing, please contact me directly.

Choose your order

Head to my dog portraits page to see my size and price guide.

Consider where your frame is going to hang so you choose the right size, and whether you want a background.

Once you’ve decided on your order I will send through an invoice with payment details. A 50% deposit secures your booking in my calendar.

send your photo

You've booked your spot! Now you need to send a reference photo. Choosing the right one is incredibly important. Good lighting and lots of detail are things I look for.

It’s better to have multiple photo options as it shows their personality and I can bring that to the artwork. If you have old photos, don’t worry, I'll work hard to bring it all together for you.

The mock up

Once we have the right photo, I can start the mock up. I use design software to piece together the elements I need. Then send it through to you for approval.

This will give you a sneak peak at what the final pet drawing will look like!

Once you’ve approved the mock up I am set to start your drawing.

The pet drawing begins

Hooray! We're at the exciting part. I spend hours drawing your pet (most colour pencil portraits take 20+ hours!) and I love every minute.

I work hard to capture the essence of my customer's pets. It's so much more than a photo.

When possible, I try to record all the drawings in a time lapse for you to keep, this is a free bonus for you!

Time to Approve your drawing

Once I am at the end of a drawing, I will send through a photo for your approval.

You can let me know if there are any minor adjustments that need to be made before I finalise the drawing ready for its new home.

Once you've approved your drawing in writing, I sign the drawing and prepare it for delivery.

Delivery of your drawing

I ship my portrait drawings Australia-wide using Auspost Parcel Service.

I offer a flat rate shipping of $15 for standard Australian orders. For international orders please contact me directly for a quote.

I take great care to protect your beautiful pet drawing during shipping, so it arrives in top condition.

ready to Book your pet drawing spot?

My calendar is often booked up six month ahead so be sure to secure your spot as soon as you can, especially in the lead up to Christmas.

Book now

The drawing services I offer

My most popular service is drawing dog portraits, so you'll see a lot of gorgeous examples across my site, full of personality. I also draw any type of pet you may have, including cats and horses, so please don't hesitate to contact me for a custom quote.

dog portraits

Frequently Asked Questions

To help you with some queries you may have, I've put together a list of my most commonly asked questions with my answers below. If you can't see yours on here, please contact me.

Please take time to read these before contacting me with the same questions. Remember, I'm busy creating beautiful hand-drawn portraits and only check my email once or twice a day!

Q: Can you add different dogs from separate photos?

Yes I can! I use photography software to edit and layout my family and dog portraits to achieve a natural, balanced composition. So if you have a beloved pet or person you want added to the portrait that is not a problem.

Q: How long does a pet drawing take?

It depends on what I am working in. Graphite or Charcoal portraits usual take me approximately 10 hours, depending on size and the quality of the reference photo. Colour pencils are a much slower medium to work in and will usually take 20+ hours to complete your family or pet portrait.

Q: Do you include a background for dog portraits?

All of my listed prices are with no background, however I can create a custom portrait commission for your dog drawing. If you’d like a background please contact me and I'll provide a custom quote.

Q: Do you frame the portraits? What’s included?

My listed prices do not include framing, although I am happy to quote and organise framing of your hand drawn portrait for you. I work with a local, high quality, framing business for all my art framing.

Q: How will my portrait be packaged?

Your beautiful portrait is packaged once complete in plastic slip covers with a backing board to protect them. All A3 or smaller portraits are flat packed for shipping with Auspost.

Q: How much does the shipping cost for my dog portrait?

I offer flat rate shipping $15 through AusPost network for all of my portrait deliveries.
For international orders or orders outside the Auspost network, please contact me for a quote.

Q: How do I protect my pet drawing?

Please keep your pet drawing or family portrait in its original packaging and avoid handling it until framed to avoid damage. Avoid direct sunlight on your artwork as this will cause premature fading. You may want to consider UV protective glass to protect your drawing.

Q: How do I get the best photo for the pet drawing?

The best reference photos are taken in natural light. This means outside is great option, or facing the windows in your house. Try to capture as much detail as possible, so get close (please avoid using digital zoom or cropping where possible, I can do that later). Make sure you get down to their level as it makes a huge difference, believe me! Make it fun, it doesn’t have to be serious. Play fetch or chase with your dog, the fun will shine through in the photos.

Q: Can you draw portraits from old photos?

Yes! I have completed some wonderful portraits for customers looking to commemorate a long lost pet. It's a lovely gift idea.

Q: What's your turnaround time?

It depends on my bookings and personal commitments (I’m a work-at- home mum), but my standard turnaround time for your pet portrait is usually between 4-6 weeks.