A lot of the pet portraits we draw are made after a pet has died. People often apologise when they tell us this, as if a portrait is meant to be a happy occasion. There’s no need. A drawing is one of the oldest ways people have remembered someone they loved, and for many owners it becomes a focus for grief in a way that a phone full of photos can’t. This post covers what goes into a memorial portrait and how to make the process easier on yourself.

Why a drawing, rather than a framed photo?

A photo captures one instant, with whatever lighting, clutter and blur happened to be there. A drawing is made slowly, by a person looking closely at your pet for hours. The artist can leave out the vet’s cone, the messy kitchen floor or the lead held in a hand, and focus on the animal’s face and expression. Many owners say the drawing feels more like the pet “as they remember them” than any single photo did.

There is also something about the medium. Graphite is quiet. It has no bright colours and suits a reflective space, like a hallway, a bedside or a desk.

Take your time

There is no right moment to order a memorial portrait. Some people do it within days; others wait a year or more. If you need it for a specific date, such as an anniversary or a birthday, tell the artist at the start so the schedule can work around it. But if you’re not sure yet, it’s fine to gather photos slowly and come back when you’re ready.

Gathering photos when you can’t take new ones

This is the part people worry about most: “I don’t have a good photo.” Very often, you have more than you think.

  • Check every device and account. Old phones, laptops, cloud backups, social media posts, messages sent to family. A relative may have the photo you’ve forgotten about.
  • Look for the eyes. The most important photo is one where the eyes are clear and in focus. The rest of the body can come from other photos if needed.
  • Send imperfect photos too. A blurry photo can still show the colour of a patch or the shape of a tail. A dark photo can still show the pose you love.
  • Send originals. Photos forwarded through messaging apps lose a lot of detail. Ask relatives to email the original files if possible.
  • Printed photos count. Scan them, or photograph them flat in daylight with no glare.

An honest artist will tell you what’s possible. Sometimes a photo is simply too small or too blurred to draw the face in detail, and the best option is a looser, softer style rather than a highly realistic one. We’d always rather tell you that before you pay.

Choosing the pose and age

Many owners have photos from every stage of a pet’s life. Think about which version you want to remember. Some choose the puppy or kitten years. Others choose the grey-muzzled senior who was with them through the hardest times. There’s no wrong answer. Some people commission two small portraits, one young and one old.

It’s also fine to ask for things to be left out or changed: a cone, a bandage, a medical shave, or the signs of illness in the last months. The artist can use an earlier photo of the coat as a guide.

Details that make it personal

When you place the order, tell the artist about the small things that made your pet who they were. They won’t all go in the drawing, but they help the artist understand what to pay attention to.

  • A crooked ear, a chipped tooth, one eye slightly different
  • The way the fur grew in a swirl on the chest
  • A favourite collar, bandana or tag
  • A favourite toy that could sit in the corner of the drawing
  • Their name, dates or a short phrase written beneath the portrait

Adding a name or dates

Some people like the pet’s name and years handwritten under the drawing; others prefer the image alone, with the name on a small plaque on the frame. Writing on the drawing is permanent, so check the spelling and dates carefully before the artist adds them. A plaque can be added or changed later.

Size and style

For memorial pieces, many people choose a modest size, around A4 or 8×10 inches for a single pet, that fits on a shelf, bedside table or small wall. Larger sizes suit a pet who was the centre of a family’s life and deserves a prominent place in the living room. If you’d like to include more than one pet, perhaps a pet who has passed alongside one who is still with you, see our post on portraits of multiple pets.

Giving a memorial portrait as a gift

A portrait can be a very kind gift for a friend or family member who has lost a pet, but it needs a bit of care.

  • Timing: some people are moved to tears in a good way; others aren’t ready in the first weeks. If you’re unsure, you could give a card saying a portrait is on its way when they’re ready, and ask them to choose the photo.
  • Getting photos discreetly: ask a partner or another family member, or look through photos they’ve shared publicly.
  • Presentation: a framed portrait, or a digital preview on their phone first, can soften the surprise.

What the process looks like

A memorial commission works the same way as any other: photos and size first, an honest check of the photos, a progress preview, then the finished drawing. The progress preview matters especially here. It’s your chance to say “her nose was a bit narrower” or “his left ear always flopped forward”, the details only you would know.

Living with the portrait

Owners often tell us that the portrait changes over time from something painful to look at into something comforting. Many keep it near where the pet used to sleep, or beside the urn or collar. However you choose to display it, frame it with a mat behind glass, out of direct sunlight, and it will last for decades.

If you’re thinking about a memorial portrait and want to talk through your photos before deciding anything, just send them over. There’s no obligation, and no rush.