A surprisingly large proportion of pet portraits that I draw are tributes to cats, dogs, or horses who have passed away. Losing a pet is a traumatic and emotional episode in a person’s life – they are integral family members after all, and they can leave a great void in your life and daily routines when they’re no longer around.

The grieving process is complex and, early on especially, it can be painful to have a constant reminder of that loss. However, over time, it becomes more important to keep those precious memories alive, and a pet portrait can bring that loved one back into the home and into the family’s daily life.

 

It can be emotional to see your pet immortalised on paper, particularly as I aim to make every portrait as realistic and lifelike as possible – giving you a wealth of detail for you to discover and appreciate each time you look at it. A hand-drawn picture has more soul than a photograph as you know that every strand of fur and every glint in the eye is a pencil stroke applied by hand with care. The format also offers an opportunity to leave out distracting backgrounds to focus on the animal’s character and spirit, and it allows you to include personal elements like a name tag or favourite toy. 

 

If you have lost a beloved pet, and you feel that the time is right, do drop me a line and see what I can do for you.