FAQ's

Hand-Painted Watercolour Pet Portraits

No prints. No AI. Just paint, paper, and a lot of love.

There's something about a pet that's impossible to put into words — the way they follow you from room to room, the look they give you, the space they take up in your life. A hand-painted portrait tries to capture that.

Each portrait is painted by hand in watercolour from your photographs, using Schmincke Horadam professional paints — chosen for their exceptional lightfastness, so the colours remain as vibrant in a hundred years as the day it was made. Every commission arrives with a certificate of authenticity, sent to you via Royal Mail Tracked 48 (UK).

International orders are welcome. Postage costs will vary depending on your location and will be confirmed before your order is placed. Please note that customs fees may apply upon delivery and are the responsibility of the buyer.

What My Customers Say

"I ordered a painting of a miniature dachshund as a birthday present. Gemma outdid any expectations. As a treat I had it gift wrapped and received a smaller watercolour too, which I'm saving for custom greeting cards. You can tell there's a real passion in the art, and it was lovely to watch it develop through the progress updates. I'd recommend it to anyone looking for a special gift." — Greg, verified Etsy review ★★★★★

"Absolutely stunning work. Gemma captured our Dalmatian perfectly — every little detail is spot on. My fiancé and I are completely blown away by how beautifully she brought him to life. It's more than just a drawing; it truly feels like she captured his spirit. We'll treasure this forever." — Olivia, verified Etsy review ★★★★★

"Nothing but great words to say. The communication was excellent and the finished product was more than I could have imagined. I immediately framed it and got it up on my wall — it's an amazing piece of art and a beautiful painting of my fur babies." — Michelle, verified Etsy review ★★★★★

"I couldn't have asked for a more perfect watercolour of my cavapoo Max — it captures his personality perfectly. Quality paper, perfect depiction, and it even comes with a certificate of authenticity. Would highly recommend for a gift. I absolutely love it!" — Amber, verified Etsy review ★★★★★

"Gemma painted my golden retriever Alfie and the likeness to the photo I shared is unreal. She's so talented, and it's evident she deeply cares and loves what she does. A gorgeous portrait of my fur baby that I will treasure forever." — Lauren, verified Etsy review ★★★★★

How It Works

1. Choose your size and place your order
2. I'll be in touch to collect your photo and discuss the details
3. I get to work — you'll receive a proof before anything is dispatched
4. It arrives with you — ready to frame and keep forever

Photo Tips

The photo you send makes all the difference. For the best result:

• Natural light only — outdoors on a cloudy day or near a bright window is ideal
• Get down to your pet's eye level, capturing their shoulders and chest
• Turn portrait mode off so the full face and body are in sharp focus
• Not sure which to use? Send a few and I'll help you choose

Order Your Commission

Painted entirely by hand. Certificate of authenticity included. Dispatched via Royal Mail Tracked 48.

Portraits arrive unframed. Current turnaround is 2–3 weeks from order confirmation, though this may be longer during busier periods.

🎄 Christmas orders: please place your commission by 1st December to guarantee delivery in time for Christmas, subject to availability.