Pet Portrait Commissions 2026
How to get your own pet portrait
Fill the request form for a commission.
I’ll get in touch to get photos, discuss details, confirm pricing and timeline.
Upon agreement, an invoice will be sent. Pay a 50% non-refundable deposit to start.
I will share a draft for review, revision and get your approval of completion.
Upon completion, we will arrange remaining payment and pickup details.
Enjoy the painting, share your review, and join mailing list for updates & promotions!
Small
11”x 14”or 12” x 12”
$200
Works best for single pet portrait
Compact size, fits easily in any space
Medium
12” x 16” or 14” x 14”
$245
Usually includes more of the pet’s body
Compact size, fits easily in any space
Large
14” x 18”
$300
Can fit two pets from the same photo
Extra $50 for the second pet
What my customers say
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![A realistic painting of a brown and white tabby cat with yellow eyes, pink nose, and whiskers, sitting against a green and blue background.]()
“Hanlu, he loved it!!! Thank you so much for making his 59th birthday such a memorable experience.”
Damey M.
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![Painting of a brindle dog with a white chest, wearing a pink flower crown, against a green background.]()
“He loves it. Hung up in the entry hallway already. Shed some tears. Thank you so much 💞”
Shawn Y.
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Hanlu, I'm so honored to have one of your paintings hanging in our home. Thank you for giving us the North Star and helping us keep his memory alive. I'm the only one in the house right now, and I swear I just heard him sneeze. ♥️🐾
Elle G.
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![Painting of a happy dog with a black and white coat, wearing a green bowtie with yellow dots, against a blue background.]()
“I love the tongue out with the floppy ears and the bow tie is super cute and I'm so happy you put tennis balls in there.”
Nick C.
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![Painting of a black and white dog with brown eyes, wearing a red collar with yellow lettering, against a green background.]()
“ I saw and admired Hanlu’s art at a local art show so I reached out to her about doing a commissioned portrait of my dog. I knew it would make a great Christmas gift for my husband and I couldn’t be more pleased with the result. Hanlu requested several pictures and also asked questions about each pet, getting to know them beyond just their image. By doing this, I feel she was able to capture not just their likeness, but also their spirit. Hanlu is so talented and genuinely cares about delivering a beautiful final product. I am so excited to see the reaction to these portraits on Christmas morning!”
Karen S.
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![Painting of a tabby cat's face on a green background.]()
“I have to tell you my mom glanced at the cat and was shocked it was a painting because it captured him so well. You are talented!
Karen S.
FAQs
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The reference photo is critical for a good portrait painting, as I rely on it for likeness, color, lighting, and composition. I paint what I see. Sometimes I could use multiple photos to bring additional details.
I may make a few artistic deviations from the photo for the sake of a stronger and more interesting painting. But I can’t make up likeness and details if they are not in the photos.
Here are what makes a good reference photo
A portrait shot with clear and sharp view of facial features
The face should be at least partially lit not all in the shade. Ideally some variation of lights would make the painting stronger.
No action shot, no filters. Blurry and over/under exposed photos make it hard for me to see the features.
The photo should be large enough to allow for zooming into features.
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First is to decide the shape: square or rectangles. This is usually decided by the reference photo and the pet. it also depends on the pose and how much of the body to show in the final painting. You can crop the photo in both shapes and see which one you like better.
Second is to decide the size. This depends on the space you plan to put the painting and personal preference. The bigger canvas has the potential to capture more details especially background, and the option for 2 pets in one painting.
I can also provide customized quote if you want a canvas shape and size not listed on my website.
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You know your pets best, and I trust your respect for my artistic choices. There are inputs and feedback I’m looking for to make it a strong painting together.
Please share these inputs upfront
Background color and detail preference. I usually prefer abstract background to bring the focus on the pet. For size Medium & Large I can do more details in the background.
Additional features not in reference photo. I’m happy to add some personal touch in the painting that photo doesn’t have, like a charm meaningful to you, pet name on the collar. Sometimes I could also use details from another photo to strengthen the painting. It would be helpful if you can share separate reference photos of these asks.
I provide one round of revision, most importantly I’m looking for your feedback about the likeliness of your pet. You know your pet best! Sometimes even a good reference photo could miss the right color or feature of your pet. Sometimes I also combine pose from two photos. Let me know what’s off when you see them.
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I collect tax for all sales in Texas, the tax rate is 8.25%.
There is no cost if we could arrange a local pickup. But if it doesn’t work, additional shipping cost will apply.
I use UPS, they charge by the size of the package. I will work with you to choose the best option balancing cost and safe delivery.
Last time I shipped a 11”x14” out of state, UPS did packing, shipping, and insurance. The packing cost around $20, and shipping cost around $55. So the total is around $75. It’s the safest way to deliver. But we could explore a bit more cost effective option.