Immortalize Your Best Friend
There’s something undeniably special about the bond between humans and their pets. Whether it’s the wag of a tail at the front door or the soothing purr of a cat curled in your lap, our animal companions are part of the family. And just like family, we want to honour them in meaningful ways. One increasingly popular way to do this is by commissioning a custom pet portrait painting — a unique, artistic tribute that captures your pet’s personality and charm.
If you’ve ever thought about turning your pet’s image into a piece of fine art, you’re not alone. In recent years, pet portraiture has become a sought-after service by animal lovers everywhere. There are many reasons you may want to consider a custom pet portrait, including celebrating a beloved pet, memorializing a pet that has passed, giving it as a meaningful gift, or decorating your space with a personal, meaningful touch.
All of Crow’s paintings are created with care in her studio in Victoria, on Vancouver Island in BC, Canada. Crow has been painting pet portraits for the better half of the past decade, as her most common request for commissioned paintings. As a dog owner and pet lover herself, she understands the importance of capturing a pet’s personality in their portrait, and is known for capturing their essence through their eyes and facial expression.
But how do you go from having a few cute photos on your phone to hanging a beautiful, hand-painted portrait on your wall? Here's everything you need to know to get started on a commission with Meaghan Crow.
Working with Meaghan Crow for a Commissioned Pet Portrait
Choosing an artist whose style fits your vision is one of the most important parts of the whole process. If you decide that my painting style is what you’re looking for, I’d love to hear from you. Here’s a little bit about how my process works:
Step 1: Reach out and let me know you’re interested!
There is lots of back and forth communication before you need to commit to a commission, and many questions you’ll need answered. Let’s open the communication line to see if we’re the right fit for each other! You can reach out here though my contact page. Also, if you have either a set budget or guideline of a budget for a commission, it’s best that we discuss numbers sooner than later, as price can be a big deciding factor. Original paintings are not inexpensive, but it’s an investment, and one that pays off in sentimental value and in how an original piece of art adds to the atmosphere of your space. While I may not be able to give you a proper quote until I know what images we’ll be using, I will have a ballpark of numbers that I may be able to give sooner based on your images. Be sure to plan ahead if you’re aiming to give the portrait as a gift.
Step 2: Send me your Best Pet Photos
As I work from photographs to complete pet portrait commissions, you’ll need to email me some of the top photos you’re considering for the piece. Here are a few things to consider when selecting your photo references for a painting:
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Was the photo taken in good lighting? Does it show their fur colour well to how it actually is? Sometimes photos that have darker lighting, or harsh sunlight can create dark shadowing, not staying true to your pet’s colouring. We want to make sure you have images that bring out the best looks of your pet!
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Is it a high resolution image? Does the detail in the pet come out clearly? It’s important to have a clear reference to work from for the best results. These days, even phone photos typically do well!
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Does the image capture their personality? Do you like their facial expression and body positioning in the image? Maybe it’s the way they tilt their head or their favorite lounging position.
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Consider composition- would you like the painting to be painted in the exact scene of the photo, or have the pet be in a different scene? If so, providing images of the scene you'd like your pet in helps to start to piece the final idea together, while ideally the original image captures things the way you’d like it to be painted to make perspectives in the painting as accurate as possible.
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Are there any extra elements that you’d like to be included or altered? For example, is there a favorite toy you’d like added, or a collar or harness in the photo that you’d like to be left out in the painting?
Once I have these initial images, I can let you know which images I think will turn out best as a painting, and which may not work for different reasons.
Step 3: Collaboration on the Vision
Once we have agreed on the main image of your pet that will be used as the reference of the painting, we can decide on any changes to the initial image. If you'd like them to be in a different scene, have multiple pets together in the painting, or include other elements, I will make a mock up combining these different elements into one image that the painting will be based off of if you go ahead with the commission. We’ll go back and forth, getting feedback and making revisions until the image is right.
Step 4: Getting a Quote
If you’re happy with the final revision of the image I will be working from for the painting, I can then use that along with the size of the canvas you’re wanting to give a more accurate quote for the piece. At this time I can also give you a ballpark of how long I think the piece will take to complete in weeks/months. If you live outside of Victoria, I’m also happy to give you a shipping quote to let you know approximately how much delivery of the piece will be, based on the size of the canvas.
Step 5: Deciding to Go Ahead with the Commission
If you decide that the design, price, and timeline work for you, it’s time to go forward and commit to the commission! I ask for an upfront 50% deposit of the quoted price to begin work on the piece. If this doesn’t work for you, please let me know and we can work out a payment plan. Before receiving the completed piece, I will require the full amount to be paid. Prices can fluctuate from the initial quote based on time to complete the piece, so if the final price is more or less than the quote, that will be reflected in the final payment. I can ballpark with the quote how much the painting time can range from.
Step 6: I get to Painting!
Once we’ve agreed upon a design, and I have a deposit, I can begin my painting process. Most of the time I wait to do a final reveal of the piece, but if you’d like to see some stages in the process, I can find stages of the painting to show along the way. Once I believe I’ve finished the piece I’ll send you a photo to confirm that you’re happy with it, or see if there are any slight changes you’d like made to the piece.
Step 7: Delivery or Pick Up of the Painting
Once the piece has been paid in full, we can set up a pick up, delivery, or shipping of the painting. I’m happy to deliver the piece if you live within Greater Victoria. It’s such a wonderful moment to see someone unwrap their painting for the first time, and to see the warmth and emotion that a piece can bring out. If you live further away, I’m happy to mail the painting to you at shipping cost.
Final Thoughts
Commissioning a pet portrait is more than just purchasing a piece of art; it’s about preserving a relationship, honouring a companion, and creating a legacy. Whether it’s a playful puppy, a regal cat, or even a more exotic pet, each portrait is a tribute to the love and loyalty that pets give so freely.
So go ahead and reach out! Turning your favourite furry face into a timeless work of art is such a special honour, and I would love to help turn your ideas into reality. Deciding to immortalize your pet in a custom pet portrait is a decision your heart will thank you for, as you keep their memory close throughout the rest of your life.
If you'd like to see more examples of my pet portrait paintings, you can view them here at the bottom of my "Painting Portfolio" page at MeaghanCrowArt.com!