Pet Portraits Honoring the Companions We Cherish

A painted portrait is a personal work of art inspired by one or more photographs. My preferred medium is professional painting software, which allows me to create expressive portraits using the same artistic principles of composition, color, light, and brushwork found in traditional painting.

Each painting begins with thoughtful composition and artistic design. I develop the portrait brushstroke by brushstroke, then transfer the artwork to canvas, where I add hand-painted details, depth, and texture with traditional artists' oils and glazes.

My intention is to create a finished portrait that rivals an original oil painting, while celebrating the people, relationships, and memories that matter most.

One of the greatest advantages is the ability to work from several photographs rather than relying on a single image. Perhaps you love someone's expression in one photograph but prefer the pose or setting in another. I can thoughtfully bring those elements together to create a composition that captures the likeness, personality, and spirit of your subject.

Equally important is our collaboration. You'll have opportunities to review the artwork as it develops, share your thoughts, and request refinements along the way. This personally guided process helps ensure that the finished portrait feels just right.

The investment in a commissioned portrait depends on the size, number of subjects, and complexity of the composition.

Simple head-and-shoulders portraits of a single subject, such as a child or beloved pet, generally begin around $1,200. Most custom portrait paintings on canvas range from $2,200 to $5,900 or more, depending on the scope of the project.

We'll also consider where you plan to display the painting. A smaller portrait may be perfect for an intimate space, while a composition featuring multiple subjects or placing someone within a specially created scenic setting may call for a larger canvas to give the composition room to breathe.

I'll take time to discover more about the person or occasion you're celebrating, review your photographs, and explore the possibilities. From there, I'll develop a concept and talk through the options available, including size and investment.

You might be surprised by what makes a wonderful reference photograph!

Often, the most important thing I'm looking for is just the right expression. A photograph may capture someone's personality beautifully, even if the pose, background, or lighting isn't ideal. Those other elements can often be changed or refined as we develop the composition.

I encourage you to share several photographs whenever possible. Together, we can discover which images best capture the personality and spirit of your subject, and explore how elements from different photographs might come together in the finished portrait.

Before dismissing a favorite photograph, please share it with me at bobbie@bobbiebush.com. I'd love to take a look and explore the possibilities with you.

Most portrait commissions take approximately 6–12 weeks, depending on the complexity of the painting, my current schedule, and any additional time needed for revisions, drying, or framing.

Throughout the process, you'll have opportunities to review the artwork and share your thoughts before the painting is finalized.

If you're planning a portrait for a birthday, anniversary, retirement, or another special occasion, please let me know your timeline. Some commissions can be completed sooner, and I'm always happy to discuss what's possible.

Absolutely. Professional photographs can make wonderful references for a portrait painting, provided we have the appropriate permission.

It's important to understand that receiving or purchasing digital files doesn't necessarily give you permission to use them to create a painting. Even if you have printing rights, the photographer typically retains the copyright.

Your photography agreement may already allow this use. If not, obtaining written permission is often as simple as an email from the photographer. I'm happy to help you determine what's needed.

Not at all. Each portrait is thoughtfully composed and painted brushstroke by brushstroke, using professional painting software as my preferred artistic medium.

Rather than applying an automated effect to a photograph, I make individual artistic decisions about composition, color, light, texture, and expression throughout the painting process.

The artwork is then transferred to canvas and hand-finished with traditional artists' oils, glazes, and textures. My goal is to create a finished portrait that rivals an original oil painting, with the character and depth of a personally created work of art.