What to Expect When You Order a Custom Pet Portrait
Ordering a custom pet painting should feel easy, personal, and exciting — not confusing or risky. If you're thinking about commissioning a one of a kind portrait of your pet, here's exactly what to expect when you work with me.
Close-up of one of my hand-painted pet portraits — every piece is painted with acrylics on canvas, not printed or digitally created.
1. Start by Sending Photos (No Need to Order Yet)
Before you place an order, I ask that you email me several clear, well-lit photos of your pet. Most phone photos are perfectly fine. You don’t need anything professional. What matters most is that I can clearly see your pet’s facial features. Close-up shots that capture their eyes, expression, and fur detail will lead to a better painting.
2. I Only Paint Headshots — Cropped for the Best Result
My pet portraits focus on your animal’s face and expression. Even if you send a full-body photo, I will create a cropped version focused on the head and shoulders. I’ll send this preview for your approval before you ever place an order, so there are no surprises.
3. You Choose the Color Scheme and Eye Color
At checkout, you’ll select one of five signature color schemes that match the expressive, colorful style of my paintings. You’ll also let me know if you'd like me to paint your pet’s eyes to match the color scheme or keep their natural eye color.
4. I Keep You in the Loop with Progress Photos
Most paintings are completed in about 1 to 4 weeks, depending on the season and my current waitlist. While I work on your portrait, you’ll receive photo updates so you can see it come to life step by step.
5. Hand-Painted with Professional Materials
Each piece is painted by hand using professional-grade acrylics on gallery-wrapped canvas. The sides are painted so it’s ready to hang without a frame. I only use archival-quality materials that are made to last.
6. Carefully Packaged and Shipped for Free
Shipping is free within the U.S. and always includes insurance. If you're outside the U.S., international shipping options are available during checkout. Your portrait will arrive safely packaged and ready to display.
7. Satisfaction Guaranteed
Before I ship your painting, I’ll send you final photos for approval. If for any reason you’re not completely happy, I’ll make changes or issue a full refund. Your satisfaction is truly guaranteed.
Why This Process Matters
- You get to approve the cropped reference image before you pay
- You stay involved through progress updates
- Your painting is completely original, hand painted by me from start to finish
- Materials are high quality, built to last, and designed to display beautifully in your home
Ready to Commission Your Pet’s Portrait?
I’m Krystle Cole, and I hand-paint every custom portrait using vibrant acrylic colors and expressive brushwork. I’ve created over 300 animal paintings for collectors across the U.S., and I’d love to paint one just for you.