Custom Pet Memorial Portraits & Pencil Pet Portraits by Melanie Phillips

Absolutely. Creating pet memorial portraits is one of the most meaningful commissions I undertake. Many clients find that commissioning a custom pet memorial portrait helps them cope with grief and provides lasting comfort. I've drawn hundreds of beloved pets who have crossed the Rainbow Bridge, working from treasured photographs to create a beautiful tribute that keeps their memory alive. Whether your pet passed recently or years ago, I can create a touching memorial artwork that captures their unique personality and the love you shared.

All of our pet portraits are hand drawn or painted by us – Melanie and Nicholas. We have been full time pet portrait artists for over 28 years, creating hundreds of bespoke commissions for clients around the world. We work from our home studio in the UK and each portrait is lifelike, crafted with care, capturing their personality in each pet portrait.

A custom pet memorial portrait is one of the most thoughtful sympathy gifts you can give someone grieving the loss of their beloved companion. Unlike flowers that fade, a hand-drawn pet portrait becomes a lasting tribute they can treasure forever. Many clients tell me that receiving a memorial portrait of their pet helped them through the healing process. It shows you understand how much their furry family member meant to them and provides a beautiful way to honour that special bond.

Art has a unique power to heal and comfort during difficult times. When clients commission memorial portraits of pets who have passed away, they often share how the process and final artwork helps them:

Many clients have told me their memorial portrait feels like having their beloved pet "back home" with them.

it depends! For memorial portraits especially, I understand these might be the only images you have left. I can work with older printed photographs, but i would need to see them prior to ordering to make sure I could work with them. I'll guide you through selecting the best reference images and can often combine details from several photos to create the perfect memorial portrait.

Custom pet portraits are consistently rated as one of the most meaningful Christmas gifts for dog lovers because they're deeply personal and celebrate the special bond between owner and pet. Unlike generic gifts, a hand-drawn portrait of their beloved dog shows thoughtfulness and creates a lasting keepsake they'll treasure forever. Many clients commission Christmas portraits to surprise family members, and the emotional reactions are always incredible. Dog lovers understand that their pets are family members, and a custom portrait honors that relationship beautifully.

Pet portraits make exceptional anniversary and birthday gifts because they celebrate what matters most to pet owners - their beloved companions. I've created anniversary gifts for couples who consider their pets part of their love story, and birthday surprises that brought recipients to happy tears. The personal nature of commissioning artwork of someone's cherished pet shows deep thoughtfulness. These aren't just gifts; they're celebrations of love, family, and the joy pets bring to our lives.

Yes! Gift vouchers are perfect when you want to give the gift of a custom pet portrait but prefer the recipient to be involved in the process. This allows them to - Choose their favorite photos. Select the size and style they prefer. Be part of the creative journey. Decide on timing that works for them. Gift vouchers are especially popular for memorial portraits, as the timing needs to feel right for someone grieving. They are also great for pet lovers who might want to wait for the perfect photo opportunity.

The most thoughtful gift for someone whose dog has just passed away is often waiting a little while, then offering a custom memorial portrait. Immediate grief can be overwhelming, but after a few weeks or months, a beautiful memorial portrait becomes a treasured comfort. Many clients tell me their dog memorial portrait helps them smile when they think of their pet instead of just feeling sad. It's a gift that honors their loss while celebrating the joy their dog brought to their life.

Custom pet portrait commissions typically take 4-6 weeks from photo approval to completion, though this can vary during busy seasons like Christmas. For memorial portraits, I'm always sensitive to emotional timing and can often accommodate rush requests if needed. Gift commissions for special occasions like birthdays or Christmas require advance planning - I recommend booking 6-8 weeks ahead for guaranteed delivery. Each portrait receives my complete attention and care, ensuring the final artwork captures your pet's unique personality perfectly.

The best photos for custom pet portraits have:

Don't worry if your photos aren't perfect! I can guide you in selecting the best images, and I often work with multiple reference photos to capture all the details that make your pet special.

Absolutely! Creating group portraits from separate photos is one of my specialties. This is perfect for:

I carefully compose these portraits to ensure all pets look natural together, matching lighting and scale for a cohesive, beautiful result.

Yes! Horse portraits hold a special place in my work, as the bond between horse and rider is extraordinary. I create memorial portraits for beloved horses who've passed away, celebration pieces for competition achievements, and retirement tributes. Horse memorial portraits are particularly meaningful gifts for:

Each horse portrait captures not just their physical beauty but their noble spirit and the unique relationship they shared with their human.

I offer a range of sizes to suit different needs and budgets:

Size recommendations depend on your intended display location, the number of pets included, and your budget. I'm happy to discuss which size would work best for your specific commission.

Pet portrait pricing varies based on size, number of subjects, and complexity. Memorial portraits and gift commissions receive the same careful attention regardless of price point. I believe everyone deserves beautiful artwork of their beloved pet, so I offer various sizes to fit different budgets. Detailed pricing information is available on my website and I'm always happy to discuss options that work for your needs. Remember, a custom pet portrait is an investment in preserving precious memories that will last a lifetime.

Yes! I regularly ship custom pet portraits worldwide. Many of my memorial and gift commissions go to clients across different countries, and I ensure each portrait is carefully packaged for safe international delivery. International shipping is particularly popular for:

All international shipments include tracking and insurance for peace of mind.

Your complete satisfaction is my priority. I understand how important these portraits are - whether they're memorial pieces or special gifts. I provide progress photos during the drawing process so you can see your pet coming to life on paper. If any adjustments are needed, I'm happy to make changes to ensure the final portrait perfectly captures your beloved pet. Many clients tell me their portrait exceeded their expectations, and I'm committed to making sure yours does too.

Pencil portraits offer a timeless, classic elegance that beautifully captures the soul and personality of your pet. The detailed realism possible with graphite pencil work creates incredibly lifelike representations that seem to breathe on paper. For memorial portraits especially, the soft, gentle nature of pencil artwork provides a peaceful, comforting tribute. Pencil portraits also:

Yes! I can include backgrounds ranging from simple, subtle shading to more detailed environmental elements. Popular background options include:

Background choices often depend on the portrait's purpose and your personal preference. Memorial portraits might benefit from peaceful, heavenly backgrounds, while celebration pieces might include favorite toys or locations.

Capturing personality is what transforms a good portrait into an extraordinary one. I spend time studying your reference photos to understand your pet's unique character - are they playful and alert, gentle and wise, mischievous and energetic? The personality comes through in:

Many clients say my portraits feel like their pet is about to step off the paper or that I've captured "exactly how they remember them."