Pet Portraiture
You and your pet share many wonderful memories together…why not pay tribute to your special relationship forever with a keepsake oil portrait?
Renée Plevy is a nationally recognized South Florida portrait artist who specializes in painting portraits of dogs, cats and horses. She has a special understanding of these wonderful creatures, and is able to translate their spirit onto canvas to create a memorable treasure.
With a little help from you, Renée will be able to capture your pet’s true personality in a rich, colorful oil painting that will be a heritage piece to enjoy for a lifetime. Dog, cat and equestrian paintings are her specialty.
Let Renée Describe the Process
First, it is my pleasure to get to know your special pet. If you live in the South Florida area, we will arrange a special visit so I can play with your pet and get to know him/her. As I live in the Palm Beach, Boca Raton, Jupiter, Fort Lauderdale, and Miami area – I am always happy to meet with you. If you do not live in South Florida, I can work solely from photography, but would like to spend some time with you on the phone to learn more about your wonderful friend.
How to Commission a Pet Portrait
- Contact me by e-mail or phone, where we discuss your pet and your hope for your pet portrait. Share with me stories and details about your furry companion so I can put his/her personality into the painting.
- Decide which room you are going to hang your portrait. It will help with the establishing the correct size of the painting as well as the color scheme we will use.
- Will you want more than one pet in the portrait?
- What size canvas will be best for your portrait?
- Decide whether you want an open or detailed background.
- Along with your initial down payment please send digital photos as described below. Note – you may send these via email.
- Once I have started the sketches, I will email you a digital layout of the painting. Once it is approved, I will start your painting.
- The process from start to finish will take approximately 4 weeks. Once the painting is finished, I will email you a digital proof of the finished work. It usually takes 2-3 weeks, including drying time. No major changes can be made at this time, but small changes can be accommodated. The balance of the payment is required upon completion of the painting. The painting will be mailed via UPS when the final payment is received.
Here Are a Few Tips for Photos
- Make sure the lighting is good.
- Get down onto the ground so that you are eye-level with your pet.
- Wait for the good shots! You’ll be surprised at the great results you can get with a little patience. Make sure you get some shots that show detail and facial expression.
- Sometimes you might find a professional photographer at your local pet shop that will do this for you.
- The more photos you send me, the better!
Personalizing Your Pet Portrait Using Informational Photos
Does your pet have a favorite food, toy, or obsession? Is there something that makes him/her truly unique? Or perhaps you might want to include something about yourself or your home to personalize the portrait. Is there a favorite pillow he sleeps on or shoe he nibbles? There are endless possibilities and portraits can be fun and whimsical, or serious and traditional.
Pet Portrait Painting Options
Museum Quality Oil Painting
This is an oil painting done in the classical method of 5 oil layers painted on archival quality 20” x 24” canvas done from a photo of your choosing. The painting is guaranteed to be a heritage piece lasting generations. Click here to view a sequence of photos showing the complete process. Click here to receive a custom quote, you may complete our contact form and submit.
Learn more about museum quality oil paintings »
Oil Rendering Portraits
This is an oil sketch painting done on canvas board consisting of one layer of oil paint from a photo of your choosing. Price - $400.00 plus tax, shipping and handling. Click here to see how this is painted. Photos were taken during a Portrait Demonstration that I did. Click here for contact page.
Learn more about oil rendering portraits »
Graphite Portraits
This portrait done completely in graphite on 16”x by 20” archival paper from a photo of your choosing. Includes mat and is ready for framing. Price - $250 plus tax, shipping and handling. Click here to see some illustrations. Click here for contact page.
