Behind the Scenes: The Making of a Watercolor Pet Portrait
Watercolor pet portraits are one of our favourite commissions here at Bycraft.
Growing up, my parents weren’t big fans of pets so my childhood experience was limited to fish and a tortoise. No fluffy companions running around the house.
Now that I’m older, I sometimes wonder if I’m capable of taking care of one full-time (haha).
So painting pet portraits has become my little outlet, a way for me to love, admire, and spend quiet time with the fluffy friends I cross paths with.
In this post, I’d love to share more about my watercolor pet portrait process and how you can commission one for your own furkid.
Step 1: Studying Your Pet’s Personality
Every portrait begins with photos.
I look closely at:
The shape of the eyes
The direction of the fur
The tiny details around the nose and whiskers
Their natural expression
Some pets look cheeky. Some look gentle. Some look like they rule the house.
Step 2: Building Layers with Watercolor
Watercolor is all about patience. It takes layers and layers of paint to slowly build depth and dimension. I work from light washes to deeper tones, allowing each layer to dry before adding the next.
I use a range of brushes:
Softer, broader brushes for base tone
Very small brushes to carefully add fur details and whiskers
This stage usually takes between 2 to 3 hours, depending on the size of the artwork and complexity of the fur and markings.
Step 3: The Final Highlights
The part (my favorite part) that truly brings the portrait to life is the final detailing.
I add subtle touches of opaque white paint to:
The fur
The sparkle in the eyes
The shine on the nose
It’s often in these tiny highlights that the personality suddenly “appears” on paper.
Choosing Your Background
You can keep the background minimal or none. A clean white background or a light wash (such as soft blue that mimics cloudy skies) keeps the focus entirely on your pet. This option feels timeless and elegant.
If you'd like something more personal, you can go for customer background where I can help to incorporate custom elements such as florals, meaningful colors, or event subtle scene details.
To be honest, both options are beautiful and unique. It really depends on the mood you'd like for the final piece to carry.
How to Order Your Watercolor Pet Portrait
If you’d like to commission a portrait:
Send in your favourite clear photo
Choose your background option
Confirm size and details
I’ll begin the painting process
Whether it’s for a birthday, a keepsake, or a way to remember a beloved companion, a watercolor pet portrait is something that lasts far beyond the moment.
