How it works
Step 1. Order your portrait
Choose a portrait style, place your order and send me some photos of your pet(s).
Step 2. I get sketching
I Sketch Your Pet and send you updates via email, so you can see how your portrait's progressing.
Step 3. I post your portrait
Sit back and relax as I post your portrait to you.
Getting started
Choose a portrait style that best suits your pet.
The Custom Pencil & Ink Pet Portrait
The Custom Colour Pet Portrait
When you've chosen your style, order your portrait via the Shop.
Send some photos of your pet
After you've ordered your portrait, email me some photos of your pet. I use these photos as a reference to capture your pet's likeness and personality in the portrait.
If you're wondering which photos help me create the best likeness of your pet, these well-lit, front and front 3/4 examples of Rocky are great examples.
Front 3/4
Front
Time to Sketch Your Pet
Once I've received your photos I Sketch Your Pet! This is one of the most fun aspects for me as I love sketching people's pets.
Once the sketch is ready I'll send you a copy via email so you can see what your portrait is going to look like when it's complete.
Finishing touches
Depending on the style of portrait you ordered, I either:
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Ink the sketch onto heavyweight cartridge paper
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Transform the initial sketch into a super detailed colour illustration, printed onto Premium Matt Heavyweight paper, or Canvas, if you're the fancy type like Lila!
Your portrait is posted to you
Your portrait is safely protected, packaged and popped in the post.
All you have to do now is choose a lovely frame and a suitable spot on the wall to hang it from!
For handy framing information such as paper sizes, framing options see my blog post for more.
Have some fun and get involved
When you're happy I'm happy... and if you're happy you can support Sketch Your Pet by leaving a review of your portrait / product.
After you've ordered you'll receive an invitation to review your portrait / product via email.
You can also get involved by sharing a photo of your pet with their portrait, just like Seloy here!
Visit my Gallery page if you're looking for some inspiration before you order.
But that's not all...
With Sketch Your Pet, you can have your pet portrait printed on a range of made-to-order products, such as a comfy cushion for your sofa, phone cases and more!
Excited much? Read on...
Video: See how I transform a sketch into a colourful portrait
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Do you draw any kind of animals?Yes! I will sketch/illustrate any pet/animal, but the price might be higher depending on the complexity of the animal. As an example, I was commissioned to illustrate a bear once! That's not something you get asked to sketch every day! Feel free to get in touch if you have any unusual requests such as Jasper the Moon Bear!
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How long does it take to complete a sketch or colour illustration?If I don't have many orders in progress a Sketch (1 pet) normally takes a week to create. A colour illustration (1 pet) takes on average 2 weeks to create. However, it all depends on the complexity of the animal. More detailed commissions and multiple pet commissions take longer to complete. It's always best to get in touch with any questions you have, as I'll always attempt to meet any specific dates you need your commission by (birthdays etc).
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Do you create illustrations larger than A4? For example, can I have my portrait printed on Canvas?Yes, it is possible to have your portrait printed on Canvas. Costs are typically determined by size so if you're interested in this option please get in touch to discuss your requirements.
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Do you get busy at certain times of the year?Yes, from October to December is typically the busiest time of year, as people start ordering custom pet portraits as gifts for Christmas. If you're thinking of gifting someone a custom pet portrait I encourage you to order as soon as you're able to. Don't leave it until the last minute!
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Can I order a made-to-order product without ordering a custom pet portrait?Without ordering a custom pet portrait first, I won't have an image to print onto any of my made-to-order products, so I thoroughly encourage you to order a custom pet portrait first, or order a custom pet portrait and a made-to-order product together. Alternatively you can order a custom pet portrait first, then come back at a later date to order any made-to-order products.
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Can I add more than one pet to my portrait?Yes of course! Each additional pet you add costs extra. To add multiple pets to your portrait either increase the quantity or select the quantity from the dropdown. Please note, the more pets you add to your portrait the smaller each pet becomes. For example: 2 pets on A4-sized paper (side by side) are half the size they would be if you only had one per page. The maximum amount of pets you can add is 4 per portrait.
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Can I add my pet's name to the illustration?Yes! It's a great way to personalise your portrait. I'm all about making the illustration as personal to you as I can. When you place your order there is a comments box where you can add your pet's name to the portrait, this gets added as a name tag in the portrait.
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Can I add my pet's favourite toys or accessories to the portrait?Yes! Typically these work best in the colour illustration style. Customers have requested all sorts of accessories, such as sunglasses, scarves, and even a Viking helmet once! If you have any special requests please get in touch to discuss your ideas in more detail.
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Can I upgrade my Sketch to a Colour Portrait at a later date?Hell yeah you can! Get in touch via either via the contact form on the website or send me an email @ info@sketchyourpet.co.uk with your order no. and your pet's name and I'll get back to you as soon as I can with a quote to upgrade your sketch.
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Can I order a reprint?Yes you can! If you ordered an A4 or A3 Custom Colour Pet Portrait you can request a reprint for a small reprinting fee + Postage & packaging, by emailing info@sketchyourpet.co.uk. Please remind me of your pet's name and the type of animal (e.g. dog or cat) of your pet is.
