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Custom Pastel Pet Portrait
Hand-Drawn • Soft Pastels • Free US Shipping
Celebrate your pet with a one-of-a-kind pastel portrait by San Diego artist Rachel Bowman. Each piece is carefully hand-drawn using professional soft pastels on archival-quality paper, capturing your pet’s unique personality with rich color and lifelike detail.
Perfect for birthdays, weddings, holidays, memorials, or simply honoring the bond you share with your furry companion.
How It Works
1. Purchase to Join the Waitlist. Once you place your order, you’ll reserve your spot in the commission queue. Contact me if you are interested in an installment plan.
2. Upload Your Photos. After checkout, you’ll send in high-resolution, clear reference photos of your pet.
3. Portrait Creation. I use your photos to create a highly detailed, lifelike portrait in soft pastel, focusing on expression, character, and fine detail.
4. Approval & Shipping. Once finished, you'll receive a final proof for approval before your artwork is carefully packaged and shipped.
Important Details
Commission Timeline: Wait times vary (up to 4 months). If you have a specific deadline, please reach out before purchasing.
Backgrounds: Portraits feature a clean, minimal background of blank paper to keep the focus on your pet. Full backgrounds may be available for an extra fee.
Paper Color: I’ll select a brown or grey-toned paper that best complements your pet unless you request otherwise.
Framing: Portraits are shipped unframed, but a care guide with framing tips is included.
Multi-Pet Portraits:
- Two pets: 11x14” or larger required
- Three pets: 12x16” or larger required
The Perfect Gift for Pet Lovers
Pet portraits make deeply personal, unforgettable gifts for the animal lovers in your life. You can:
- Purchase a portrait directly as a surprise
- Or give a gift card, so your recipient can choose the photos and details themselves
Prices
(includes free US shipping)
| Size (in) | Price | Number of Pets |
|---|---|---|
| 6x8 | $155 | 1 |
| 8x10 | $249 | 1 |
| 9x12 | $309 | 1 |
| 11x14 | $437 | 1-2 |
| 12x18 | $632 | 1-3 |
Artist Recommendation: If you're unsure of the size, I recommend 11x14" — it allows for detailed rendering and works well for one or two pets.
Reviews
“Took a little time to find the perfect frame to set off the beautiful painting of Walter, you captured his personality perfectly! Thank you so much for the time and skill you placed into the portrait of my friend’s companion.”
FAQs
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Yes, I work exclusively from photographs you send me, not in person. The better the reference photo, the more closely the drawing will match your pet, but a high quality reference photo is not necessary. Reach out to me for help finding the right photo(s).
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Yes, I can include multiple animals in one drawing as long as the size can accommodate them. The pricing table and descriptions give minimum sizes for up to three pets in one portrait. If wanting more than three pets, please reach out to me to discuss pricing and options.
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Waitlist times vary (by up to 4 months) so reach out to me if you are wanting your commission by a certain date or occasion. I try to accommodate when possible, but getting on the waitlist asap is recommended.
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I do not ship commissions pre-framed, but I can make recommendations and do provide some general directions so you can take your artwork to a frame shop. This makes shipping easier and allows you to pick a frame style that matches your home decor.
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I specialize in animals and landscapes, so I do not offer portraits of people at this time. I can refer you to some other fantastic artists that specialized in human portraits.
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Your pastel portrait is a delicate, fine art piece created with professional-grade materials. To protect it, handle it carefully and avoid touching the artwork directly. A detailed care sheet will be included with your order, along with instructions for framing and matting to ensure long-term preservation. For best results, frame your portrait behind glass as soon as possible.
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Follow my Instagram @rachbowart to watch for progress updates on social media. If your portrait is a surprise gift, please let me know in advance so I can keep it private. Once completed, you’ll receive a proof via email for final approval before shipping.
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Absolutely! If you'd like to remove a collar or include a favorite toy, I can accommodate your request. Be sure to inform me of this before I begin your portrait, since significant changes will not be possible after the fact. Please provide additional reference photos to illustrate any changes, and I can create a mock-up for approval. Significant additions may incur an extra fee.
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By default, all portraits have a white, grey or brown-toned background chosen by the artist to complement the pet’s coloring. If you’d like to add a background, I can do so for an additional fee, which will vary based on complexity. Feel free to share a reference image of your vision, and I’ll be happy to provide a quote.
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Yes! We offer a simple installment plan that lets you pay for your custom portrait in monthly payments until the full price is covered. There’s no interest, and you’ll agree on a total price upfront. All payments are nonrefundable, and the full balance must be completed within 12 months. Once the final payment is received, your artwork will be completed and delivered. This plan makes it easier to budget for a custom portrait while securing your spot on the schedule. See the full Terms for more information.