Pet portraits have become an increasingly popular way for pet owners to honor and remember their furry friends and family members. But much does a custom hand-painted or hand-drawn pet portrait cost in 2023? In this article, we'll break down pet portrait pricing so you know exactly what to expect and budget for a high-quality custom pet painting.
Breaking Down the Different Mediums of Custom Pet Portraits
There are a variety of mediums that artists use to create custom pet portraits including both digital and traditional hand-painted styles. Some common mediums include:
Digital: Digital pet portraits are created by an artist using digital painting and drawing tools. The artwork is delivered as a high resolution digital file. This is often the most affordable option.
Oil paint: Oil painting is common for pet portraits, especially for a traditional fine art look. Oil paints blend smoothly and have a rich color palette. The thick brushstrokes capture textures like fur beautifully. Oil paintings are done on canvas.
Acrylic paint: Acrylic is a versatile and fast-drying paint that lends itself well to pet portraiture. It can mimic styles like watercolor or oils. Acrylic paintings are also done on canvas.
Watercolor: Watercolor pet portraits have a fluid, softer look with transparent layers of color. It captures a more whimsical, gentler feel. Watercolor is done on thick paper or illustration board.
Pastel: Soft pastel sticks create a velvety look perfect for fluffy fur. Pastel pet portraits have a rich vibrancy of color. Pastel is done on paper, board, or canvas treated with a textured surface.
Colored pencil: Colored pencil allows for photorealistic detail and textures for fur, whiskers, and expressive eyes. Pencil drawings can stand alone or be used for underpainting. It is done on paper or board.
Graphite: Graphite pencil comes in many shades and can achieve fine details for black and white pet portraits. Smooth paper is best for blending graphite.
Charcoal: Charcoal has bold strokes with dramatic darks and lights. It's ideal for capturing the spirit and movement of pets. Charcoal is done on textured paper.
Ink: Pen and ink pet portraits have precise lines and geometry. Ink is ideal for short-haired pets where textures and patterns can be depicted through linework vs shading.
Key Factors That Determine Pet Portrait Pricing
There are several variables that go into determining the final cost of a custom pet portrait. These factors include:
Medium: As discussed above, the medium impacts cost. Digital portraits are the most affordable while an oil painting on canvas would be at the higher end.
Size: In general, the larger the size in inches/feet, the higher the price. A small 5x7" painting will be less than a 2'x3' portrait.
Single vs Multiple Pets: Including more than one pet in a portrait adds complexity which increases cost.
Level of Detail: A simple portrait with minimal background and details costs less than a highly detailed lifelike scene.
Realism: A painterly impressionistic style takes less time compared to a photorealistic portrait replicating patterns, textures and details.
Artist Experience: The skill level and experience of the artist influences price as well. Accomplished portraitists charge more.
Rush Orders: Fast turnaround commissions (like 1 week delivery) often have rush fees added.
Medium Costs: With traditional media, the materials like thick art paper or canvas add cost.
Cost Range for Digital Custom Pet Portraits
For digital custom pet portraits, prices often range from $100-$500 on average depending on size and detail level:
Simple digital illustration from a photo: $100-$250
Detailed digital painting replicating patterns/markings: $250-$400
Large digitally painted portrait with background: $400-$500
Many pet owners opt for a digital portrait since it's the most budget friendly way to get a custom artwork. Turnaround time also tends to be faster with digital creation vs painting.
Typical Price Range for Painted Pet Portraits
For traditional hand-painted pet portraits, prices vary much more significantly based on all the factors discussed above. Some typical price ranges:
Small size (9"x12" or smaller): $200-$800
Medium size (16x20"): $600-$1,500
Large size (30”x40” or larger): $1,500-$10,000+
For very large multi-canvas gallery-style pet portraits that are 5+ feet, prices often start at $5,000+. These are usually highly detailed, realistic scenes vs simpler portraits.
Why There's Such a Wide Range of Custom Pet Portrait Costs
The reason there is such variance in pet portrait pricing comes down to the many variables covered earlier. The specific medium used, size/scale, complexity, realism and level of detail all significantly impact costs:
A small, simple Watercolor on paper will be very affordable.
A large, complex multi-pet Oil painting on canvas with photorealistic rendering of fur and background details will be much more expensive.
So whether you want to spend a few hundred dollars or a few thousand, there are artists that can create custom pet portraits at your budget range.
How Size Affects Pet Portrait Price
In most cases, the larger you go in size for a custom pet portrait painting, the more it will cost. Some examples:
A 9” x 12” portrait may cost $200-$500
A 16” x 20” could be $600-$1,200
At 20” x 30” an artist may charge $1,000-$2,000+
Larger sizes require bigger canvases which cost more for the artist. But there are also additional hours required to paint a more detailed enlarged subject vs smaller. This drives cost up significantly.
For many pet owners, a mid-size 16”x20” painting provides the best balance of affordable pricing but still creating an impressive portrait with presence. But large wall-filling paintings 3'+ make stunning statements too.
Does the Number of Pets Impact Cost?
Commissions with multiple pets together will incur an increased cost over single pet portraits. The artist needs to paint each animal, which takes more hours. And accurately representing the unique colors, patterns, and expressions of different subjects adds complexity.
Most artists charge around 25%-50% more to include each additional pet in a portrait. Other factors like composition also impact this.
Placing pets very close together vs spaced apart takes more effort. You may pay a higher premium for multi-pet portraits to get the layout exactly how you envision.
How Complexity Influences Pet Portrait Price
Simple headshot or half-body pet portraits on a blank background are the most affordable option. These showcase your pet with minimal details.
Painting your pet realistically in a complex scene with varied textures, backgrounds, props and multiple figures costs more. Examples include:
A forest scene with your dogs hiking
Cats playing with toys in your living room
Your horse grazing in a field
Exotic pet in custom habitat vignette
These layered compositions require much more time and skill to paint. The price reflects this additional effort to portray everything accurately.
Factoring in Effort for Hand Painted Portrait Media
Painted pet portraits require more effort compared to digital artwork. This makes hand painted work more valuable and hence, more expensive.
Some considerations that add cost for traditional media like oil or watercolor painting include:
Painting Skill: It takes years of practice to master brush techniques, color mixing, and working with the paint's unique properties. There is craftsmanship involved.
Supplies: The heavy paper, stretched canvases, brushes and paints used in every original painting are a material cost.
Time: Media like oils and acrylics require waiting for layers to dry before continuing. This painting process takes more time vs digital creation.
Uniqueness: Each hand painted commission is a one-of-a-kind original. Prints can be made but the painting itself is wholly unique.
Revisions: Paintings rarely allow revisions, so the artist must get it right the first time based on your direction.
These factors contribute to painters needing to charge more for their time, skill and expenses.
Finding and Comparing Pet Portrait Artists
With so many artists offering custom pet portraits, how do you find the right one? Here are some tips:
Look locally - Visit art fairs, craft shows and open studio events. Many artists market locally. Supporting local artists keeps dollars in your community.
Check online - Etsy.com features thousands of pet portrait artists from all over the world. Read reviews and see examples of their past commissions.
Social media - Instagram and Facebook have robust pet portrait artist communities. You can view their past work and see if their style matches your vision.
Get referrals - Friends and neighbors who have had portraits painted can provide personal recommendations.
Compare portfolios & prices - Review multiple artists, and get quotes for your specific commission vision. Prices can vary widely for the same work depending on experience.
Typical Sizes and Price Examples of Custom Pet Portraits
To give you a better sense of concrete sizes and price points, here are some representative examples:
8" x 10” (Digital) - $150-$250 - Simple headshot with clean background. Delivered digitally for you to print.
12" x 16" (Oil) - $650-$950 - Waist up portrait with some background details. Warm lighting and soft focus.
16" x 20” (Acrylic) - $850-$1,100 - Two dogs sitting together. Realistic details and textured fur.
24" x 36" (Oil) - $1,800-$2,500 - Large composite portrait from multiple source photos. Detailed natural scene background.
36” x 48” (Acrylic) - $3,500-$5,000 - Life size standing animal portrait. Photorealistic rendering of textures and fine details.
These prices account for the cost of the physical canvas and painting materials as well as the artist time.
Options to Get Discounts on Pet Portraits
While custom pet portraits are an investment, there are some ways you may be able to save:
New and amateur artists often offer lower prices as they build a portfolio and client base. Their skills may be just as good as veterans.
Ask about sales around holidays. Some artists run specials on commissions at certain times of year.
See if an artist offers multi-pet or repeat client discounts if you order several portraits.
Simple compositions, smaller sizes, and digital format can make portraits more budget friendly.
Patreon subscriptions offer perks like discounted commissions for supporters pledging a monthly amount.
Artist collectives and schools sometimes offer lower pricing by advanced students looking to practice portrait skills.
How to Select the Best Pet Portrait Artist
With so many options for custom pet portraits today, how do you select the right artist for your cherished pet? Here are the most important factors to consider:
View past work - Evaluate if you like their style and if they've painted breeds/species similar to your pet. Do you like their backgrounds and composition choices?
Price - Make sure their pricing fits your budget. Get a specific quote for what you want painted.
Responsive communication - Do they understand exactly what you want and answer all questions thoroughly?
Positive reviews - Read testimonials and look for satisfied clients who got great portraits.
Fast turnaround - If timing is important, inquire about their workload and completion times. Rush fees may apply.
Personal connection - Does their process make you feel engaged? Do you trust them to create a meaningful portrait capturing your pet's spirit?
Take the time to research and find an artist you really click with. They'll paint a custom portrait you'll cherish for years.
Pet Portrait Options to Fit Any Budget in 2023
In summary, there are now more options than ever for getting a custom pet portrait to memorialize your beloved companion:
Digital art offers an affordable way to get a custom portrait you can print and frame. Great for simplicity and convenience.
Traditional painted portraits capture realistic textures and depth for an heirloom keepsake. Ideal for honoring a cherished pet.
Try an emerging artist for lower prices from talented creatives building their business.
Photographers offer professional pet photography sessions if you want high quality source images.
Order a painting from an online marketplace like Etsy for fast commissions and reviews.
Local artists at markets, fairs, and open studios provide direct personal service.
With so many mediums, styles and artists to choose from, you can find a custom pet portrait that fits your budget. Just determine what factors matter most to you and select an artist whose work resonates. Then you can have a beautiful hand crafted keepsake capturing your pet's unconditional love for years to come.
Looking for a tailor-made pet portrait? Explore our custom-made prints at Terraprints.
Summary of Key Points:
Digital pet portraits offer an affordable option starting around $100.
Hand painted portraits in oils, acrylics, watercolor or pastels range widely from $200 for small sizes up to $10,000+ for large multi-canvas paintings.
Factors like size, complexity, realism, number of pets, level of detail and artist experience impact price.
Research local artists online through marketplaces, social media and portfolios to find the right fit for your vision and budget.
Make sure to see examples that match what you want painted and communicate clearly.
Both traditional and digital custom pet portraits can capture your pet's spirit and provide a cherished memento.