Dog Portraits – Ideal Gifts for Dog Lovers

October 18, 2009 by Portrait Painter  
Filed under Portraits




Many people choose to share their lives with a pet, for various reasons. Be it loneliness and the need for companionship, be it the unselfish need to the care of another soul, be it your kids’ wish to have a pet, or any other reason, it is very easy to grow fond of your pet very fast. You’ll see that in no time you’ll have them deep in your heart, and you’ll love them as much as you love yourself. People appreciate pets mainly because they receive unconditioned love from them. All it takes is that you feed your dog, for instance, and take him out for a walk every day, and you’ll have the most loyal friend possible, one that will never betray you. That fact that your dog can’t speak back to you is no longer of importance, because every day he proves to you that he understands what you’re going through and is sympathetic of your problems. By now, you must have figured out a way to communicate and so nothing stands in your way of being best friends. In other words, your dog is a very important part of your life.

Given that, most of us feel the need to show their appreciation for their pet, and choose to do so by have pet portraits drawn up. A photograph of your pet is always an option, but it just does not seem as pet portraits. After all, it is the same with humans, not just with pets. Imagine you visit someone’s home, and you se there portraits of the owners. I’d say that a lot more impressive than seeing a lot of photographs of the same people. Photos are meant to remind you of certain beautiful moments in your life, great vacations maybe, but portraits are something special. If you love your four-legged companion so much, pet portraits are a great idea. The fact that these oil pet portraits last a lifetime ads up to their value. Anyone can take a photo of his or her dog for instance, but dog portraits are so much more special, because each and every single one is handmade and unique.

Some people grow extremely fond of their pets over the years and eventually think of them as family members. When these loving friends pass away, nothing can be more appropriate than pet portraits to honor their memory.

Pet portraits can also make the ideal gift for someone who is an incurable pet lover. All it takes is that you get a photo of that pet, which does not seem like such a difficult task, since you can simply ask the owner to email you a photo of his/her pet, and than you upload it to a specialized web site that will take care of everything. In as little as ten days you can have your dog portrait ready to frame and surprise your friend with an extraordinary gift. Of course, you could have a picture framed and give it as a gift, but the impact it would have on the pet’s owner would probably be nothing compared to that of getting a pet portrait as a gift.

Regardless of the final destination, be it a gift or a painting for your own delight, dog portraits, and all pet portraits in general are made from photographs. Every pet owner knows that it’s difficult enough to make a pet stand still just for a few moments to take a photo, let alone for the hours it takes to draw a painting. Therefore, all you have to do is upload a relevant photograph, choose size and type, and pay twenty percent in advance. Once pet portraits are ready, a photograph is emailed to the person who made the order, and the portraits can only be delivered after that person has given his or her confirmation. Should there be any requests for modifications, the portraits can be modified to meet your requirements, and will only be shipped to you afterwards.

For more resources about Pet portraits or even about Dog portraits please review this website http://www.paintyourlife.com



Custom Pet Portrait From A Photo

August 5, 2009 by Portrait Painter  
Filed under Portraits

Everyone has a different view of what they are looking for when submitting a photograph to a portrait artist. The artists goal is to paint a beautiful masterpiece out of what he sees. When it comes right down to it, what is it that you ultimately desire in an oil painting? Perhaps the way you always want to remember your pet by, is with all the little imperfections that show off your pets best personality. Or maybe you would like to see your pet finely groomed in the coziest of backgrounds. An artist could create perfect grooming, according to your instructions with, or without the perfect pose. . However, the artist has never seen your pet or child in person. Unless the artist is there live, he cannot view your pet or child with your pet from different perspectives. Capturing a great pose is very important for the artist that is painting an oil painting and using the photo as the subject. The best tip we can give to someone who would like an oil painting hand painted using the photo as a subject, is this. What would you like? This is always the first rule.

Pet Portraits “Patience and the Pose”

Not everyone has the patience, time, or endurance to capture the perfect photograph of pets or children with pets. It seems children and pets all have little patience, a mind of their own, and that never appears to be what the impatient photographer is looking for in the perfect pose. This is especially apparent when taking photographs of more than one subject. Here are a few tips to help you capture that perfect moment. We all know that the best portraits seem to almost come naturally. So how do we go about getting a natural portrait? One way, don’t miss the perfect pose.

Carry your camera with you always. Are you looking for the playful and happy pose? Then be playful. Sometimes the perfect pose depends on your mood, if you’re playful, so will your subjects. Think of things that make your pets or children happy. We all know that food is, number 1 with pets and candy number 1 for children. Well this can sometimes be a great lure so if it helps to get them where you want them, by all means cheat a little and use it. Just like children, pets love attention. What about attention getters? Pets love to be talked to, played with, and of course petted. They all just seem to thrive on any form of happy attention, backed by a little love and a lot of praise. For an unpredictable cat, not always the case, of course unless it is their idea. If you haven’t tried catnip, we strongly suggest it. For all pets their favorite playful toys always seems to work well. Whatever it is that gets your pet or child in the mood for the type of pose you are looking for. Use it.

Portrait Photos “Preparation When, and Where?”

Try to give yourself “good timing” Directly before, or after a meal may or may not be the best time depending on the type of portrait you are looking for. They think hungry or relax, unfocused or satisfied and you think play and lets take some photos, which may not give you the exact mood, you are looking for. Think about the times in the past that your child or pet has acted the part out and looks the best, then follow that example.

Photo Preparation “Ideas on Grooming and Getting your Pet Ready”

The sun may not be your best type of lighting choice but the sunshine seems to always bring out the best in our furry little friends! Fur perks up and all the little hair follicles seem to stand out perfectly. Also the cold. Have you ever noticed how your pets fur looks after they have been out in the cold. Baths, grooming, and a good old fashion pet shampoo is another favorite for getting perky fur.

Photos, How Many? “What to Keep and What to Throw out”

Take many photos and throw nothing out. Later they may just become more useful than you might be aware of. This requires a little artistic imagination on your part. You may think that because the photo is not centered correctly that the photo is unusable. Not so. If you have a great shot of your pet, it can be edited, zoomed in and centered for what might be the next million dollar pose. What else? For example: Eyes can easily be cut and pasted into a new photo or given to the portrait artist to replace the not so perfect eyes with the perfect ones. Same goes with the rest of your photos that are not worthy of becoming an oil portrait. Each photo is important and may very well be exactly what you are looking for when combining it with another photo. Photo editing programs allow for the removal of the legs, paws, tail, body, background or any part of the photo for future use when presenting to an artist. You might not think something is worth keeping but later may very well be the perfect fit for a specific pose. Remember! Hard drive space is cheap. Losing memories and recreating what you once had can be time-consuming and expensive.

Portrait Backgrounds “Ideas”

Ask yourself this question. Do I want a studio, detailed still background, or do I want a natural environment background? All produce great portraits. You may either take your pet to the background or bring the background to the pet. If you want to try something with endless possibilities, here is a tip that you may like to know. Choose a photo of a great background from your photo inventory or search the web for ideas. There are thousands and thousands of royalty free backgrounds, paintings or pictures available for you to use as you like. Whether you are using a background for creating a photo portrait or in preparation for an oil painting portrait, any background can be removed and replaced. However, for the very best results try to use a contrasting background color. Plain white or very light backgrounds for darker colored pets or a plain dark background for lighter colored pets. For multi colored pets, try to use a color that is contrasting to their colors. For children? It is best not to use too dark of a background for a child that has dark hair or an off white background for a child wearing a similar color T-shirt-shirt. Why? Whether this is for editing a photo portrait to add a different background or for combining photos and backgrounds into an oil painting, it is much easier for photo editing or much easier for the artist to capture even the finest of details of your pet or child.

Final Portrait Preparation “Putting it all Together”

If you have a little bit of time and experience with basic cut and paste editing procedures combined with a little knowledge on photo editing programs, you too can easily create an unforgettable beginning to a piece of fine art and originality.

Show your affection to your pet

August 3, 2009 by Portrait Painter  
Filed under Portraits




There is hardly any second thought when it comes to your affection for your lovely pets. Everyone spreads loads of unconditional love and affection with lovely pet portraits for their pets besides putting their social structure apart.

Our pet companions, who share a considerable part of their life with us, have a prominent place in our lives that’s why they deserve an original and well painted portrait for remember them who we have lost and these pet portraits may be the precious gifts for family, friends and relatives to treasure always If counting on some typical instances, dogs are one of the most adored pets who secure space in photo frames in households. It’s not anyhow astounding if dogs achieve such an important place and special human care since they fulfill several purposes in daily life of their owners.

With a beautiful portrait of your pet you will remember it for times to come whether your pet is with you or completed his life span. This is the most sensitive way to miss your pooch and a great reminder to feel their presence near you.

Pet portraits may be a beautiful piece of painting that could enhance the internal beauty of a room with its presence, However it is not an easy task to get a perfect portrait of your pet without prior analysis and arrangements.  Before getting a pet portrait it’s very mandatory to search for an expert artist. After finding one, you should go through the meetings with the artists who are willing to make the portrait.

These pet portraits should be created exactly the pet of the family looks like and the unique characteristics and personal traits of the pet should be captured in a very fine way that certainly brings life to the portrait.

A good and proficient artist confines the real and true character of your beloved pet, whether it is pet dog, pet cat, horse or other animals. These artists portray such an eye catching portrait of your pet that you may enjoy and remember it for lifetime.

In a nutshell you may explore your affection to your pet by making a pastel portrait in their remembrance to show how much care you have for them.







Honoring a Lost Pet

June 17, 2009 by Portrait Painter  
Filed under Portraits




The death of a loved pet can be a very traumatic and difficult time for the entire family. Often, when the pet has lived with the family for many years, it is no easier to deal with than when a member of the family has died. This is why it is so important for families to memorialize their loved pet in much the same way they would their own loved one. Doing so will help the entire family find closure and peace, and to come to terms with the loss – knowing that the memories of that pet will live on.

Have a Portrait Done



There are few more meaningful and heartfelt ways to memorialize the nature and character of your pet than having a painted portrait made of them. Pet portraits can be especially meaningful after such a loss because there is no clearer reflection of what a pet meant to a family than a picture can display. A pet portrait is a statement that this animal was not just “another pet”, but that it was a very loved and cherished member of the family who will be greatly missed.

You can find the best style of pet portraits from Nikky Hughes of Los Angeles. The great thing about these pet portraits is that they can be done from a photograph – so it is possible to purchase artwork like this from skilled artists like Nikky regardless of distance.

Nikky was classically trained at the Mission Renaissance art school. Her art is soft and romantic – with a dreamy quality to them. They are lifelike and impressive representations of everything that makes a pet beautiful in the eyes of its owner. The aspect of her paintings that truly make Nikky’s art stand out from the crowd is the setting in which she places the animals. The surroundings are sometimes whimsical, other times wonderfully surreal, but always intriguing. Nikky’s art represents the work of a rising artist, so purchasing one of these portraits would be an excellent investment, and a wonderful addition to your home décor.



Buy a Memorial For Your Pet


One of the simplest memorials, yet also the one that is most overlooked when burying a pet, is the stone memorial or marker. When going through the experience of burying a lost pet – even the process alone can be disturbing. A memorial provides family members a sense of peace and closure in the process. A stone marker over the spot provides a way for pet owners to allow a lasting memory to remain – with a statement on the stone that reflects the pet’s the personality and character.

Websites such as apetmemorial.com sell beautiful stone markers where names and words can be engraved in a stone to create lasting memorials for your pet.



Wear a Memory Pendant


One way to keep your pet very close to your heart is to literally keep their memory close to your heart. Pet “remembering” pendants, such as those at gghavens.com, are growing in popularity. These beautiful pendants offer pet owners a very simple, yet meaningful, way to wear something that exemplifies the memory and love between owner and pet. Every time you feel the pendant against your neck – it will remind you of the undying love between you and your pet.

Wearing a pet memorial pendant is one of the most meaningful ways to keep the spirit of a lost pet alive. The pendant will become a subtle yet constant reminder of the memories shared between you and your pet.



Nomination for the Pet Hall of Honor


One of the most unique ways to memorialize your pet is to establish them in the National Pet Hall of Honor (pethallofhonor.com). Membership in the Hall of Honor includes:

• A framed induction certificate

• An individual web page with pet photos & stories

• Access to other pet photos & stories

The National Pet Hall of Honor is one way that you can not only keep your pet’s memories alive, but to also encourage pet lovers around the world to memorialize their lost pets, and to take part in a collective appreciation for the value and love that pets bring into our everyday lives.