Hi! Nice to see you!
If you're here, you've got great taste!
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I'm Bri, and I make really awesome pet portraits. They're done either digitally or in watercolor, and then finished with pen and ink for detail, scribbles, and a little chaos.
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These portraits make incredible gifts for the bold, colorful characters in your life.
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My goal each time is happy tears.
I have yet to miss that goal.
To start, please send me an email or text and include several favorite photos of your pet.
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The best photos for portraits are those where your pet is next to a light source, such as near a window or outdoors in soft morning light. This creates lovely highlights and shadows across the face and gives the portrait depth.
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In the video are some examples of photos that would be great to use for a portrait. You certainly don't need a professional-quality photo. It just needs to be clear and be well-lit!
After receiving your photos, we'll talk about color schemes, style, and design. I'll send you several color palettes to see which color combinations catch your eye.
I make pet portraits using two different methods: with traditional watercolor, or digitally. With digital portraits, the final piece is submitted to a local print shop and printed on heavy, textured watercolor paper, giving you a physical piece of artwork, ready to be framed!
More information on both watercolor and digital portraits are below.
(click here for more info on each!)
Once we've decided on a photo and color scheme, I'll create a few digital mock-ups so we can see how everything works together, and based on your choice, I'll begin the final piece!
Here's what the entire design process looks like, from choosing photos to the digital mock-ups:
When creating pet portraits in watercolor, I use archival-quality watercolors and professional-grade 140 lb. cold press paper. Each painting is crafted with vibrant colors, bold splatters, messy texture, and a whole lotta love.
Watercolor paintings are generally done by painting large areas with the lightest colors first, and building darker or more intense colors on top. Watercolor is translucent by nature, so it takes many, many layers to build up to those bold colors!
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Watercolor portraits can be done in a wide range of sizes, which are listed below.
Behind the scenes: a time lapse of a watercolor portrait being created, from start to finish!
Tools of the trade: I use either Arches or Stonehenge cold-press watercolor paper which is 100% cotton. Here you can see a closeup of the beautiful texture this paper has.
For watercolor pet portraits, I use either Schminke or Windsor Newton pans. Both sets are highly-pigmented and layer deliciously.
Portrait prices are based on how many hours I estimate a piece will take to complete. Here are the approximate prices based on size:
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7x7": $150-200
10x10": $275-325
9x12": $350-425
10x14": $450-600
12x16": $650-800
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These prices are estimates only. Prices vary based on complexity and detail.
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Something to consider is the size of the mat and frame, which can add several inches to the dimensions of the final piece. Please keep this in mind when choosing a size. A 12x16" painting plus a mat and frame makes quite the statement!
For secure checkout, I will create a custom listing for you that can be purchased through the site's shop.
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I also accept several other forms of payment, such as Zelle, Apple Pay, PayPal, and Venmo.
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Please note: As these are custom paintings, I cannot offer refunds once the physical painting process has begun.
Depending on the size and complexity of your watercolor portrait, I can generally have it ready for local pickup or in the mail within 2-3 weeks.
Need a rush order? Let me know!
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Portraits will arrive wrapped in tissue paper, gently rolled, and mailed in a heavy cardboard tube to avoid any damage during transport.
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There is no charge for shipping in the United States. Shipping internationally will require a fee based on location.
A lot of people hear "digital art" and think of photo manipulation or filters, but digital art can be made using the same techniques as traditional art. I use a program on a drawing tablet, which acts as a blank canvas. Along with the tablet, I use a connected pencil tool as my paintbrush. The process and methods I use to create a digital portrait is almost identical to when I use traditional watercolors. The only difference is there's no paint water for me to spill!
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The great thing about digital portraits? They can be printed in just about any size! Because I can create a portrait and easily enlarge it, they're more affordable.
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I use a small local print shop in downtown Greenville, SC. I email them a digital file containing the final portrait, and they print it on 100% cotton rag watercolor paper. Compared to paper usually used in fine art reproduction, It's significantly heavier and has a textured surface. When digital art is printed on heavy watercolor paper, it looks and feels quite similar to a traditional watercolor painting.
Digital portraits are printed on 100% cotton 305gsm watercolor paper - think of the thickness and weight of a business card, but give it flair!
The surface of the paper gives digital art depth and character, and it looks luscious in a frame.
This is how a digital portrait is created. I use the same methods as I do when using traditional watercolor paint!
Portrait prices are based on how many hours I estimate a piece will take to complete. Digital portraits vary in complexity, and will therefore vary in price.
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Design Pricing:
Simple digital portrait: $100+
Highly detailed digital portrait: $250+
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Print Pricing:
*This is in addition to the cost of the design*
6x8" or smaller: $10
8x10" - 10x13": $20
10x15" - 12x16": $30
12x18" - 12x24": $40
16x20" - 18x24": $60
20x24": $70
20x30": $80
24x30": $100
24x36": $120
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Something to consider is the size of the mat and frame, which can add several inches to the dimensions of the final piece. Please keep this in mind when choosing a size. A 12x16" portrait, plus a mat and frame, makes quite the statement!
Depending on the amount of detail needed when creating your portrait, I can generally have it ready for local pickup or in the mail within 1-2 weeks.
Need a rush order? Let me know!
​
Portraits will be wrapped in tissue paper, gently rolled, and mailed in a heavy cardboard tube to avoid any damage during transport.
​
There is no charge for shipping in the United States. Shipping internationally will require a fee based on location.
For secure checkout, I will create a custom listing for you that can be purchased through the site's shop.
I also accept several other forms of payment, such as Zelle, Apple Pay, PayPal, and Venmo.
​
Please note: As these are custom paintings, I cannot offer refunds once I begin on the final piece.
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Congratulations on making it to the end!
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(phew!)
Shoot me an email or text to get started!
I look forward to hearing from you!
All work is reviewed for quality by FatHole, Bri's big, orange cat. She has a discerning eye and guarantees you'll love your painting.
This is FatHole.
She's my harshest critic.