How Long Does a Pet Portrait Take? A Realistic Artist’s Answer

It’s one of the most common questions I’m asked — and the honest answer is longer than most people expect. Creating a realistic, hand-drawn pet portrait isn’t about speed; it’s about patience, observation, and building layers slowly to capture not just what a pet looks like, but who they are. In this post, I’ll explain what goes into creating a custom pet portrait, what affects the timeline, and why taking time is essential for achieving a truly lifelike result.

The Short Answer (And Why It’s Not a One-Day Job)

Creating a custom pet portrait from photos is not a quick process — coloured pencils, in particular, are a slow and detailed medium. I’m not aiming to simply copy a photograph; my goal is to create a portrait that reflects the pet’s character and personality, while also suiting the owner’s tastes.

Cleo - the background was chosen to pick out those beautiful blue eyes!

This is why the initial consultation stage is just as important as the drawing itself. Discussing composition, size, background choices, and expectations all takes time, but it ensures the finished portrait is something truly personal and meaningful.

What Affects How Long a Pet Portrait Takes?

Size and Level of Detail

The size and complexity of a drawing are the biggest factors in how long a realistic pet portrait takes. This is why setting expectations during the consultation stage is so important, especially when discussing budget.

As a general guide, an 8 × 10 inch or A4 head-only portrait of one dog or cat usually takes around 15–20 hours of drawing time. Adding a simple PanPastel background typically takes an additional 30 minutes.Full-body portraits, multiple pets, or more detailed backgrounds will increase the size, time required and therefore the overall cost.

A simple composition is often most effective

Reference Photos

I create my pet portraits from photos. These can be taken on a mobile phone — professional equipment isn’t essential — but the clearer and better lit the photos are, the easier (and quicker) they are to work from.

Often, more than one reference photo is needed. This might be to create the best composition, or to capture accurate colour and detail. This is especially important for memorial pet portraits, where reference images may be limited.

My Pet Portrait Process

There is far more involved in creating a portrait than simply sitting down and drawing. I begin by using photo-editing software to plan the composition, including background colour choices. This stage allows me to share a mock-up with the client and make adjustments until we’re both happy before any drawing begins.

Preparing the paper and line work takes time!

Next, I choose the materials that will work best for the finished piece — often those that will help me achieve the best result as efficiently as possible. I then cut the paper to size and transfer my line drawing. These preparation stages can easily add two hours or more to the process. They may not involve drawing, but they are essential.

Drawing the Portrait

This is where the real time investment begins. Building realistic fur texture in coloured pencil is a slow process that relies on careful layering. Special attention is given to features such as the eyes, nose, mouth, and ears, as these are crucial for capturing expression and character. Fur texture and markings are just as important for achieving realism.

Working on the fur texture

The PanPastel background is added once the main portrait is almost complete. This may sound unusual, but the wax and oil in coloured pencils act as a resist, allowing the pastel to be applied right up to the edge of the drawing without covering the pencil work. Final details are then added before checking in with the client to ensure they’re happy with the finished portrait.

So, How Long Will Your Pet Portrait Take?

Taking all of this into account, the actual drawing time for a pet portrait is typically 20 hours or more. However, I don’t draw solidly for hours on end, and communication with clients also forms an important part of the process.

In reality, my turnaround time is usually around two weeks for a simple portrait, provided suitable reference photos are supplied. I work on one commission at a time, so if you need a portrait for a specific date, early booking is essential. I’m always happy to discuss your requirements and provide an estimated completion date before you book.

The beautiful Ruby

If you’ve been thinking about commissioning a realistic pet portrait, feel free to get in touch via my contact form — I’m always happy to chat through ideas and options.