Portraits of Pets UK – Because They’re Never Just a Pet
The muddy paws by the back door. The favourite spot on the sofa. The expression you know instantly. Our pets become part of the everyday rhythm of home — and that is what makes their portraits so wonderfully personal.
At Created by Magic, we transform your favourite photographs into personalised portraits of pets, digitally created using digital brushes and finished in our distinctive watercolour style.
A lovely pet portrait doesn't simply show what an animal looks like. It should remind you who they are.
Every pet has their own story
Britain is a nation of animal lovers, but no two relationships with our pets are quite the same. Some are walking companions, some are childhood best friends, some rule the house — and some have absolutely no idea they aren't human.
That's why we don't believe a pet portrait should feel generic. The starting point is always your own photograph and the little characteristics that make your pet recognisably yours.
What makes a portrait feel like your pet?
Ask somebody to describe their pet and they'll rarely begin with breed, colour or size.
They'll tell you about the wonky ear. The head tilt. The expression they make when dinner is five minutes late. The way their horse looks over the stable door or the exact place their cat insists on sleeping.
Those tiny details are what turn an animal into a personality.
When creating a portrait, the photograph gives us those clues. We look carefully at the eyes, markings, expression and features that make the animal instantly familiar to the person who loves them.
The things we remember
Technically, two dogs may be the same breed. To their families, however, they couldn't be more different.
Often the first thing we recognise and one of the most important details in creating a portrait with personality.
Serious, happy, inquisitive or gloriously unimpressed — choose the expression that feels most like them.
From a white paw to a distinctive patch of fur, familiar markings help make your portrait unmistakably personal.
Upright, floppy, fluffy or slightly wonky. We strongly recommend choosing a photograph where the whole head and ears are visible.
From camera roll to artwork
You don't need a professional pet photography session to commission something beautiful. Often, the photograph you already love is the perfect place to begin.
“The photograph captures a moment. The portrait celebrates the personality behind it.”
How your pet becomes a piece of artwork
Every Created by Magic pet portrait begins with a real photograph supplied by you.
Choose the one that feels like them
Send a favourite photograph with a clear view of your pet. Personality is just as important as the perfect pose.
Digitally created with care
Your portrait is digitally created from the photograph using digital brushes, paying careful attention to your pet's recognisable features.
Made for your home
Your finished watercolour-style artwork is professionally printed, turning a favourite photograph into something made to be displayed.
Don't underestimate the photograph
One of the biggest factors in the finished portrait is the image you send us.
A beautifully posed dog photographed from across a dark room may contain far less useful detail than a simple phone photograph taken beside a window.
- Choose a clear photograph showing the eyes.
- Try to include the full head and ears.
- Natural daylight usually gives better detail.
- Avoid heavy filters where possible.
- Send the original photograph rather than a screenshot.
- Most importantly, choose an expression you love.
A portrait should feel beautiful too
We spend a lot of time talking about photographs and artwork, but the paper a portrait is printed onto matters too.
Texture, weight and finish all contribute to the final piece. Our portraits are professionally printed onto premium artist-quality paper selected to complement the soft watercolour-style artwork.
It's one of those details that's difficult to appreciate on a computer screen, but makes a difference when the finished portrait is finally in your hands.
Discover Our Paper Framing Guide
Sometimes the story is about both of you
Pets have a remarkable ability to weave themselves into our lives. They join us on walks, holidays and ordinary Tuesday afternoons. They appear in family photographs and somehow acquire their own routines, preferences and favourite chair.
That's why some of our most personal artwork begins with a photograph of pet and owner together.
Rather than simply recording what your pet looks like, these portraits can celebrate the relationship you share — and the chapter of life you shared together.
Explore Personalised Pet PortraitsPortraits can hold memories too
Sometimes a favourite photograph becomes even more precious after a pet is no longer with us.
A memorial portrait can create a quiet, personal way to keep that familiar face present in the home — whether you're commissioning one for yourself or choosing a thoughtful gift for somebody who has lost a much-loved companion.
We create memorial portraits for dogs, cats, horses and other treasured pets from photographs supplied by their families.
Explore Pet Memorial Portraits
Why do we love turning our pets into art?
Perhaps because a portrait makes us stop and notice something everyday life moves past very quickly.
Our pets are there for the school runs, house moves, new babies, lazy Sundays, early morning walks and countless cups of tea. Their presence becomes so normal that we don't always realise how many memories have them quietly sitting in the background.
A personalised portrait takes one of those familiar faces and gives it a place of its own. It can celebrate a new puppy, mark years spent with a faithful companion, remember a horse you've shared countless adventures with, or simply answer the question: what do you buy somebody who absolutely adores their pet?
And perhaps that's why portraits of pets remain such personal pieces of artwork. The finished portrait may hang on the wall, but what people see when they look at it is everything that happened around it.
Pet Portrait FAQs
Can you create a pet portrait from a photograph?
Yes. Created by Magic pet portraits are created from a photograph supplied by you. Choosing a clear original photograph gives us the best starting point for the artwork.
Do I need a professional photograph of my pet?
No. Many wonderful portraits begin with everyday photographs taken on a phone. Good light, clear eyes and an unobstructed view of the head are more important than professional photography.
What animals can you create portraits of?
Dogs, cats and horses are among our most popular subjects. If you have another type of pet, get in touch with your photograph and we can advise whether it is suitable.
Are your pet portraits hand painted?
Our portraits are digitally created from your photograph using digital brushes. This creates the distinctive soft, watercolour-style finish seen throughout our pet portrait collection.
Can a pet portrait be created as a memorial?
Yes. A favourite photograph can be used to create a personalised memorial portrait of a dog, cat, horse or other much-loved pet.
Can I give a personalised pet portrait as a gift?
Absolutely. If you have access to a suitable photograph, a portrait can make a particularly personal present for a birthday, Christmas, anniversary, new pet or other special occasion.
Turn a favourite pet photograph into something you'll keep
Discover personalised dog, cat and horse portraits created from the animals who make home feel like home.
Explore Pet PortraitsWe are a nation of pet lovers; we just can’t get enough of our furry friends! Which is why here at Created by Magic we know how important it is to create a beautiful life-like portraits of pets. From dogs to rabbits, we just can’t stop sharing photos of our beloved pets. If you are looking for a special gift for a pet owner, you should consider one of our personalised pet illustrations. These are a charming present a pet lover will adore.
They will treasure the gift forever and they will love the keepsake of their beloved pet. It’s also perfect for a pet owner who has lost a special furry friend. The illustration will help them to celebrate the pet’s memory and is a great keepsake. Here is everything you need to know about our personalised pet portrait print.
What pet can I have as an illustration?
We can create pet portraits of all types of pets and exotic animals that will make the perfect present for your friend or family member. We just need a photograph of the trusted furry (feathery or scaly friend); you can even have multiple pets in one portrait as long as they are are all in the image provided. We can also cover horses, rabbits, llamas and any other type of pet your friend or family member has.
What background can I have?
You can choose what background you want for the illustration. Whether you want the same one as on the original photo or want a plain beige or grey design, it’s all down to your choosing.
What is the size and paper used for the illustration?
The digital illustration comes in a A4 size, perfect for framing and comes on hammered paper. For an additional cost, you can have the high-quality illustration on Tintoretto gesso (Fedrigoni) Italian textured paper to make the gift extra special.
Get in touch today to find out more about our personalised pet illustrations, the perfect gift for a pet owner.
“Ordered a print as a present and it’s absolutely beautiful! It was also delivered incredibly quickly after ordering which was great. I’ll definitely be buying from here again.”
Jade Fraher
Portraits of Pets
Got a portrait done of my horse after I saw a friends, and wow.. i’ll be recommending this company to everyone, thanks
A memory captured beautifully in stunning print, something to hold onto forever. Thank you so much Laura and Created by Magic
When my illustration came it far exceeded my expectations. Really good quality and cheaper than other sites. I would definitely recommend this site.
Lovely lovely portrait of my horse Henry, exactly what I wanted, shipped quickly. Even beautifully written envelope. Would use again and highly recommend!
The Finest Papers
