Pet Paintings vs AI Art: How to Tell the Difference and Avoid Getting Scammed
Not all “custom pet portraits” are what they seem. With the rise of AI-generated art, many shoppers are unknowingly paying for computer-made images that are printed and sold as if they were original, handmade art. The worst part? They often don’t realize it until it’s too late.
If you're looking for a meaningful, one of a kind painting of your pet, it’s important to understand the difference between a hand painted pet portrait and a computer-generated image — and how to spot the real thing.
Close-up of my hand-painted pet portrait showing real brushwork and acrylic texture.
1. What Is AI Art?
AI art is created by software trained to mimic styles and subjects based on large datasets of existing artwork. While some of it looks impressive at first glance, it’s not original, and it wasn’t made specifically for your pet. It’s generated from patterns — not emotion, experience, or connection.
Many companies use AI to produce portraits that look handmade, then print them on canvas and sell them as “custom art.” In reality, no artist ever touched the piece.
2. What Makes a True Hand Painted Pet Portrait?
A real pet painting is created by a human — someone who studies your pet’s features, personality, and spirit, and brings them to life with thoughtful brushwork, texture, and care.
Every one of my pet portraits is painted by hand using acrylics on canvas. I spend hours with the photo you send, sketching the layout and building depth and color to make your pet feel alive on the canvas. It’s not fast, and that’s what makes it meaningful.
No two paintings are ever the same — because no two pets are.
3. How to Tell If You’re Getting AI Art (Even If It Looks Real)
Here are a few signs to watch out for:
- Artwork that looks overly smooth, airbrushed, or lacks real texture
- No photos or videos showing the artist’s process
- Super fast turnaround times (often 24 to 48 hours)
- Vague descriptions and no mention of materials, paint, or technique
- Extremely low prices compared to traditional paintings
- And the biggest red flag: if it doesn’t clearly say “painted by hand,” assume it’s digital AI Art.
4. Why It Matters
A pet portrait isn’t just a decoration. It’s a way to honor the connection you have with your animal, whether they’re still with you or have passed on.
A handmade painting captures something deeper than just appearance. It captures emotion. It captures presence. And no AI software can replicate that.
If you're trying to choose the right artist for your pet, you might also like this guide on how to find the best custom pet portrait artist.
5. What I Offer as a Pet Portrait Artist
I’ve painted over 300 pets for collectors across the U.S., and every one is painted by me, by hand in my studio. My style blends realism with expressive color and visible brushwork that brings energy and life to each piece.
You’ll receive a physical painting, acrylics on gallery wrapped canvas — something you can proudly display on your wall. It’s not a computer-generated image printed on canvas to look like a painting. It’s the real thing, created with care and intention just for your pet.
Final Thoughts
If you want a portrait that feels personal, soulful, and real, make sure you’re getting a truly hand painted work and not something made by a machine then passed off as custom art.
When in doubt, ask the artist how their portraits are created. A real artist will always be happy to tell you.
Want to Commission a Painting of Your Pet?
I paint my custom pet portraits myself in bright rainbow colored acrylics. My work blends emotion, color, and care to create a one of a kind painting that reflects the heart and soul of your pet.