I specialise in drawing pet portraits from photos in my studio in Herefordshire. Hand drawn pencil drawings of animals can make a very special gift for a birthday, anniversary or Christmas. They are also a lovely way to commemorate a beloved pet.
Watch my quick guide on how to order a pet drawing…
“We have commissioned 3 animal portraits from Emma in the past year, 2 dogs and a cat. The whole process was quick, easy and personal. It was a delight to deal with Emma.”
K.Gibbs
Ordering a Pet Drawing from a Photo
The steps involved in ordering a pencil animal drawing are outlined below. Please note that orders are done on a first come first served basis. Because I currently have a number of orders to work on, my normal lead time is around two months. Please allow a minimum of 4 weeks. If you need a hand drawn pet portrait done in a specific timeframe, for example for a birthday or anniversary, then please contact me and I will do my best to accommodate you.
Step One
The first step is to email me some high quality images of your subject. It is normally best to send a few different ones as I can then assess which one I think will work best. It also gives me a better feel for the appearance and character of the subject. Photos must be clear, in focus and high resolution. The best photos tend to be those taken in good natural light (but not bright sunlight) with no flash as this causes red-eye. I find that the best portraits are those which focus on the subject’s head and have a small amount of the shoulders/body visible. Be careful not to crop the image e.g. cutting off ears! The below images are examples of the perfect photographs for custom pet drawings.
Step Two
Choose your portrait size; I offer a range of sizes to suit different budgets and timescales. Please visit the prices page for a detailed breakdown of the various different options available.
Step Three
Once we have agreed on a photograph to use and discussed your requirements I will send you an invoice for a 30% deposit; you can pay this via bank transfer or Paypal. Payment can also be made by a cheque made payable to myself, Emma Gorton.
Step Four
When I’ve completed your pet drawing, I will send you an image of it to approve. If you have any concerns at this stage we can chat about them and I can make any changes or improvements.
Step Five
Choose your mount – I mount each portrait using ph neutral virgin wood pulp mount board in either off-white or black depending on your preference. I will send images of both options so that you can decide which one works best for your portrait.
Black Mount
Off-White Mount
Step Six
I will only ask for payment in full once you are fully satisfied with your portrait.
Step Seven
As charcoal has a tendency to smudge, I will fix your pet drawing with a setting spray. However, this will not provide 100% protection so please take care when unwrapping it. I package each portrait very carefully using acid-free tissue paper, backing board and bubble wrap in order for it to reach you in perfect condition.
I send completed custom pet drawings by Royal Mail Special Delivery and this is included in my Pet Portrait Prices. Commissioned pet drawings can also be shipped worldwide, though delivery timings and cost will vary on location.
“Right from the start, Emma was the height of professionalism and knew exactly what I wanted. She kept in regular contact throughout the creation process and answered any questions promptly and thoroughly. Emma isn’t afraid to offer her own opinions as to what works best and the finished product was absolutely incredible, even better than I’d hoped. I would highly recommend Emma for any pet portraits; not only is she a fantastic artist, she is a consummate professional who takes genuine pride in her work.”
J.Conway
Step Eight
Enjoy your unique hand drawn pet portrait!
“WON-DER-FUL!! You certainly captured our Daisy and her character. Thanks so much. Delighted.”
A. French-Duffield, California, USA
Pet Drawings Herefordshire
Are you thinking of ordering a pet portrait for yourself or someone special? Please do get in touch and I’ll be happy to answer any questions you have.