Pet portraits make perfect, one-of-a-kind gifts. Whether you’re looking for a personalised dog portrait or a horse and owner print for a special gift idea, you’ll find a unique gift at Created by Magic they’ll love.

Dog Portraits

dog portraits

Horse Portraits

horse portraits

Cat Portraits

Cat Portraits

Pet & Owner

pet and owner portrait

About Our Pet Portraits

Our pet portraits are unique to you as a pet owner, the watercolour style has been the same since 2016 and will remain the same for years to come. Making it a perfect way to collect pet portraits of all your beloved pets for a consistent design across your framed prints at home.

We work with the most stunning felt marked Tintoretto Gesso paper which will compliment your pet portraits beautifully. This is available in two thicknesses, which has a subtle difference, the felt mark is ever so slightly deeper on the 300gsm in comparison to the 250gsm. You can read more about the paper on our paper guide page, if you have any further questions, please get in touch.

Your pet portrait is totally unique to you, you may choose to have a simple light grey watercolour behind your pet or include the original background that appears in the photograph. This is a great idea if your pet is sitting in its favourite spot or running through a bluebell meadow to add some personality to portrait of your pet.

Alternatively, we can do an artistic mix of both of those options, this is recommended if your pet is photographed with a slight covering, ie blanket is covering its paw or your pet is laying in long grass.

Whichever you decide, our creative team will work their magic on your personalised pet portrait.

Our pet portraits can be tweaked into a memorial print is a wonderful alternative to a traditional photograph, and we will capture their unique characteristics and spirit in a creative way, making our pet art a touching tribute to the memory of your pet. You can choose to add a little ‘In loving memory‘ text above your beloved pets name and even add a special message below, making this a wonderful memorial keepsake.

We pride ourselves on our high-quality prints, and we do need high resolution images to ensure this is achieved. If possible, you could take a new image using the highest resolution setting option on your camera or smartphone.

We know that in many cases it might not be possible to send a brand-new image across, so please send any potential photographs to our team and we will do our best to help.

Please see our guide for Top Tips to Photograph Your Pet for a Portrait

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We can also supply our pet portraits framed, Whether you choose a traditional natural real wood frame or a modern white or black painted wood frame, we guarantee to provide a range of options which will suit every interior style.

You can read more on our framing by clicking here.

Custom pet portraits make a perfect gift for a pet owner, with many of our customers sending their favourite photographs for us to turn into unique pet art. From birthdays and Christmas gifts to anniversaries and other special occasions, our traditional watercolour pet portraits will create a focal point in any room.

We believe that pets share a special place in their families, and every home should be adorned with images of beloved pets. We only use the best quality materials in our pet illustrations, so you can be sure that your gift will arrive in perfect condition ready to be treasured for many years. From images of cats in their garden, to dogs on their favourite walk and horses at a sporting event, we can transform any great photograph into a stunning piece of pet art.

We understand just how heart-breaking it can be to lose a much-loved companion, which is why our team take such care to create beautiful pet illustrations for those who have suffered the loss of a pet.  A pet portrait memorial print is a wonderful alternative to a traditional photograph, and we will capture their unique characteristics and spirit in a creative way, making our pet art a touching tribute to the memory of your pet.

Our pet portraits are digitally created with high quality photographs, our graphic designers use digital brushes and the latest design software to create a portrait of your pet that is life-like yet affordable. Hand-painted can often mean – expensive, also without spending a huge budget, hand-painted may not ‘capture’ the character of your pet as well as our digitally created approach.

pet portraits example
our paper pet portraits

Our Stunning Paper

As an FSC certified source, the paper is known for its soft hue and lightly hammered surface, which is a result of the environmentally friendly ECF pulp manufacturing process.

Our digital prints, artwork and illustrations are brought to life by this excellent printing paper and we are sure you will be impressed, whether you are ordering a gift or a piece of art for your own home.

Pet Portraits, Personalised Family Prints

Not sure about image quality?

It’s sometimes difficult to tell whether the image of your pet will be good enough to create a digital illustration from your phone/device. Please feel free to send you image or images to us and we’ll let you know what if your image has the quality we need to create this pet portrait print.

What we need to create one of the pet portraits?

Simply send us a high resolution image of your beloved pet, we ask that the image is a minimum of 1mb in file size. The quality of the image with depict the outcome of the illustration due to the way it is created digitally.

Tips for a good photograph for a pet portrait;

  • Use natural light
  • Space around the pet in the image
  • Avoid zooming in
  • If you use flash, only do so during the day
  • Use gridlines to balance your shot
pet portrait before and after

Pet portrait costs vary widely based on factors like the artist’s experience, medium used, size, and complexity. On average, prices can range from £30 to £500 or more. Digital portraits may start around £30, while traditional mediums like oil or acrylic paintings might cost hundreds, depending on size and intricacy. Customisation, backgrounds, and additional pets can also impact the price. Research artists or services you’re interested in, as their rates differ. Some factors might influence costs, so getting quotes or estimates based on your preferences is recommended for an accurate idea of pricing.

The “best” medium for a pet portrait largely depends on personal preference and the style you envision. Popular mediums include oil, acrylic, watercolour, pastels, and digital art.

Oil paints offer rich colours and depth but take longer to dry. Acrylics dry quickly, allowing for layers and vibrant colours. Watercolours create delicate, translucent effects. Pastels offer a soft, textured finish. Digital art allows for easy edits and reproductions.

Consider the look and feel you desire for your pet’s portrait. Each medium has its unique characteristics; it’s about finding one that resonates with your aesthetic preferences and the artist’s expertise.

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Creating pet portraits involves several steps:

  1. Reference Gathering: Collect clear, high-quality photos of the pet from different angles and in good lighting.
  2. Select a Medium: Choose the medium you’re comfortable with, like pencil, paint, or digital tools.
  3. Sketching/Outline: Start with a rough sketch or outline of the pet on your chosen canvas or paper, ensuring proper proportions.
  4. Adding Details: Focus on capturing the pet’s unique features and personality. Work on the eyes, fur texture, and distinctive markings.
  5. Background (Optional): Decide on a background that complements the pet or enhances the overall composition.
  6. Refinement: Gradually refine details, working from broader strokes to finer ones. Pay attention to shadows, highlights, and depth.
  7. Finishing Touches: Once satisfied, add final details and touches to bring out the character and essence of the pet.
  8. Protection/Preservation: If using traditional mediums, consider applying a fixative or varnish to protect the artwork.

Remember, practice and patience are key. Don’t hesitate to seek tutorials, classes, or guidance from experienced artists to improve your skills in creating pet portraits.

A digitally created pet portrait involves using software and digital tools to craft an artistic representation of a pet. Artists utilise graphic tablets, computers, and specialised software like Adobe Photoshop to create these portraits.

The process involves digitally sketching, painting, or drawing the pet using the software’s various brushes, textures, and colour palettes. Artists can mimic traditional mediums or explore unique effects achievable only through digital means.

How it works:

  1. Simply choose which style portrait you’d like, upload your image and select background style and size/finish.
  2. We will create your digital watercolour pet portraits and add your personalisation.
  3. You can request a design proof of your pet portrait, however this is optional. Once your design is complete, we’ll send to print or to be framed.
  4. When your order is ready we will dispatch in a timely manner your pet portrait will be delivered to your door!

Award Winning Pet Portraits

As chosen by BBC Dragons Den’s, Theo Paphitis

Our award winning pet portraits regularly win over fans, which makes us very happy here at Created By Magic! We’re also delighted to be supported as a small business, with our dog portraits and pet memorial portraits now officially award-winning. 

In 2018, we were the recipients of the ‘Small Business Sunday’ award, with respected entrepreneur Theo Paphitis choosing us for our work who in turn now has a pet portrait of his own, of his dog Gladys.

Our award-winning pet portraits are the ideal way to brighten up any room, and make great gifts for devoted pet owners. 

read more about the Theo Paphitis Award

Theo Paphitis award winning small business

Customer Reviews

Hear what our loyal customers say about us, and our work.

After my dog unexpectedly passed away a couple of months ago I wanted to order a painting of him for my mum to frame. I came across this site and contacted them on Facebook messenger with some queries about the picture I was going to use etc. The lady was so lovely and caring! The design was finished within a couple of days and I was given an online copy to check and amend, I ordered some additional copies and then it came in the post the next day. It was absolutely perfect! Made us all cry with how realistic and detailed it was. A truly brilliant business. I showed all of my friends the design and they was all stunned, I have even had a couple contact me recently to ask for the site so that they can get a design done for their family too! Would 100% recommend. Thank you so much 😊

C23, Trustpilot

I bought a watercolour picture of my son’s dog as a gift. The print is outstanding, I couldn’t be happier. I know my son will be over the moon with it. The customer service from Created by Magic was fantastic, I ordered the print, checked the proof and received the actual item within a week!!! Seriously 2 weeks before Christmas, that has got to be the best service I’ve ever had and the quality is first class. I will be back to buy more and will certainly recommend. Keep up the good work :)

No Name, Trustpilot

The portrait of our puppy now hangs in our living room. I gave it to my partner for their birthday and they absolutely love it. The service was faultless too – quick responses to enquiries and super fast delivery. I love the result and would 100% recommend as a wonderful gift.

Helen, Trustpilot

What a fantastic find! The perfect gift for my partner and he loves it. We recently lost our beautiful beloved cat Sylvester and I opted for the pet portrait. It arrived so quickly and I’m super happy with it. So much so I have ordered another pet portrait for my mum. Thankyou so much. Would definitely recommend

Heidi Sanderson, Trustpilot

How much does a pet portrait cost?

Pet portrait prices vary, our portraits are created digitally using digital watercolour brushes and cost between £28.00 and £91.00 depending on the personalisation, size and finish you choose. Due to the way our portraits are created, your portrait will always be an accurate representation of your pet.

Alternatively, Hand-painted pet portraits of a similar size and style can cost somewhere between £130 and £560, all artists styles and standards are different so it’s always worth checking their portfolio before they begin.

guinea pig memorial

How do I create a Pet Portrait?

  1. Choose the pet portrait design
  2. Send us the personalisation
    1. First Name
    2. Message underneath
    3. ‘In loving memory’ added (optional)
    4. Background options
    5. Upload high resolution image
    6. Choose the size & finish
  3. We will then create the design
  4. We dispatch the same day if ordered before 11am (Mon – Fri)
Pet Portraits, Wedding Stationery & Personalised Family Prints
Pet Portraits, Wedding Stationery & Personalised Family Prints
Pet Portraits, Wedding Stationery & Personalised Family Prints
Pet Portraits, Wedding Stationery & Personalised Family Prints

Framing your pet portraits

We believe that the milestones in your life should be celebrated and cherished, and in our opinion, there is no better way than with framed pet portraits and framed artwork. Whether you are looking for framed pictures as a gift or to have your special prints framed, we have carefully selected a range of handmade frames and high-quality traditional window mounts.

We offer two print design sizes, A4 and A3, with matching frame sizes. These are the most popular sizes for wall mounted prints, and we have a variety of paper finishes available to suit your specific requirements. The frames will arrive ready to be placed on the wall, with fittings on the reverse of the MDF backing. All products have options for framing on the individual product pages making it easy to place your framing together with your personalised print order.