The Story Behind My Custom Watercolor Pet Portraits: How a Veterinary Technician Began Painting Beloved Pets

How My Watercolor Pet Portraits Began

Long before I ever painted pet portraits professionally, I painted them for friends.

As a veterinary technician, I’ve had the privilege of helping families welcome new puppies and kittens into their homes, celebrate remarkable recoveries, and, sometimes, say goodbye to beloved companions. When you work in veterinary medicine, you quickly discover that every pet is loved—but every so often there is one that becomes someone’s heart dog or heart cat.

The one who followed them from room to room.

The one who greeted them at the door every evening.

The one whose absence leaves the house feeling impossibly quiet.

Those losses move all of us.

After one particularly difficult goodbye, I painted a small watercolor portrait as a memorial gift. Then another. Soon coworkers began asking if I would paint portraits of their own pets, and before long, even clients had heard about them and reached out.

That’s how this little part of my studio quietly began.

Choosing the Perfect Reference Photos

The best portraits always begin with photographs.

A clear photo of your pet’s face is the most important, especially one where their eyes are sharp and expressive. Their eyes tell so much of their story.

But I always encourage clients to send more photographs than they think I need.

Maybe there’s a favorite hiking trail where your dog always ran ahead.

A fishing trip.

The old couch where your cat claimed the sunny spot every afternoon.

The backyard where they waited for squirrels every morning.

Those extra photographs help me understand who they were, not just what they looked like.

Looking for The Look

Before I ever pick up a paintbrush, I spend time simply studying the photographs.

I’m looking for the look.

Every pet has an expression they reserve for their person. Sometimes it’s curious. Sometimes mischievous. Sometimes it’s that gentle gaze that says, “There you are.”

That’s the expression I want to paint.

Occasionally one photograph captures it perfectly.

Other times I may borrow the posture from one image, the expression from another, and the background from a third to create a portrait that feels most like them.

I especially love outdoor settings because they give your companion a sense of place. A mountain trail, a favorite lake, or even a familiar backyard can become part of the story.

From Sketch to Watercolor

Once we’ve settled on the design, I create a digital mock-up in Photoshop to serve as my reference throughout the painting process.  

After that, I transfer the composition onto professional watercolor paper.

Before beginning the final painting, I often create small color studies to test fur tones, lighting, and the balance of the watercolor washes. These preliminary studies help ensure the finished portrait captures your pet as faithfully as possible.

Then the painting begins—slowly building transparent layers of watercolor until the portrait comes to life.

Keeping You Involved

A custom portrait isn’t something I want you to see only when it’s finished.

Throughout the process, I’ll check in with progress updates to make sure the painting is becoming exactly what you hoped for.

The entire process typically takes 2–4 weeks, allowing plenty of time for careful painting and thoughtful adjustments.

Finishing Touches

Every portrait is carefully packaged for its journey home.

I offer optional matting and framing for local customers or those who prefer a ready-to-hang piece, though shipping framed artwork can become quite costly.

Most portraits are beautifully gift wrapped in simple kraft paper and include a blank botanical notecard, making them ready to give as a heartfelt gift.

A Portrait Worth Remembering

Every pet leaves behind little things we never expect to miss—the click of nails across the floor, muddy paw prints after an adventure, the familiar weight beside us on the couch.

My hope is that each portrait becomes more than a painting.

I hope it becomes a reminder of a faithful friend whose life made yours richer.

If you’d like me to create a watercolor portrait of your companion, I’d be honored to paint their story.

My Heart Cat: Nyx