Custom Watercolour Pet Portraits
Our pets are family.
I create beautiful custom watercolour pet portraits that capture the personality and spirit of your pet — not just what they look like in a photo.
When I paint a portrait I spend time connecting with your pet. I study your pet’s eyes, their expression and the small details that make them uniquely them. My goal is to create a beautiful hand‑painted artwork that reflects the love and connection you share with them.
A custom pet portrait also makes for a unique and meaningful gift to a pet parent in your life.
Because each portrait is painted by hand, I take a limited number of commissions each month to ensure every piece receives the care and attention it deserves.
From Photo to Beautiful Custom Watercolour Pet Portrait
Maggie
Reference Photo
Maggie
Watercolour Pet Portrait
Winnie & Emily
Reference Photo
Winne & Emily
Watercolour Pet Portrait
Portrait Styles, Sizes & Pricing
You can choose from two distinctive artistic styles, each with its own character and feel:
Expressive Pen & Wash — Expressive. Individual. Alive.
A contemporary style combining fine, expressive pen linework with loose, translucent watercolour washes. Selective detail, flowing lines and areas of white space give these portraits a spontaneous, artistic quality while capturing the distinctive character and personality of your pet. These are Aimee's personal favourites!
Standard A4
Pen & Wash
$375AUD
Suitable for one pet, head & shoulders.
The paper size is bigger than A4 so that your painting fits beautifully within a mat board with an A4 opening.
Small
A5
Pen & Wash
$175AUD
Suitable for 1 pet, head only
The paper size is slightly bigger than A5 that your painting fits beautifully within a mat board with an A5 opening.
Traditional Watercolour — Soft. Painterly. Timeless.
A timeless watercolour portrait created through delicate layers of transparent colour, subtle detail and beautifully soft transitions. The paint itself is used to capture your pet’s features, character and expression, with gentle washes and natural edges creating a soft and painterly feel.
Standard A4
Traditional Watercolour
$450AUD
Suitable for one pet, head & shoulders.
The paper size is bigger than A4 so that your painting fits beautifully within a mat board with an A4 opening.
Large
A3
Traditional Watercolour
$650AUD 1 Pet | $750AUD 2 Pets
Suitable for 1 pet (full body ) or 2 pets (head and shoulders)
The paper size is bigger than A3 so that your painting fits beautifully within a mat board with an A3 opening.
Postage
Australia: Standard or Small Size $12 AUD (or free for VIP subscribers)
New Zealand: $20AUD (flat rate)
Worldwide: Quote on booking
Larger sizes: Quote on booking
Note: if you live in or around Castlemaine VIC, you are welcome to collect the portrait in person.
Framing: Portraits come unframed. I don't typically offer framing due to the cost of shipping and potential for damage, but I am happy to give you framing advice and recommendations. My portraits can fit standard size frames for cost effective framing - I can give you exact framing specifications.
Join the Aimee Black Art VIP List
Receive a complimentary custom pen & watercolour mini artwork when you book a Traditional Standard size (or larger) pet portrait within 60 days of joining.*
How to Book Your Portait
Step by Step Guide
1. Join my VIP List
Join my VIP list to gain priority access to my next round of commission openings (I take four per month). As a VIP you will also receive a complimentary mini pen and watercolour portrait (with a tradtional standard size portrait booking) and free shipping Australia wide.*
4. Booking Confirmation & Deposit
After receiving your booking, I’ll confirm availability and send you a booking confirmation.
To secure your portrait in my schedule, a deposit of $100AUD is required. Once the deposit is received, your commission is officially locked in.
2. Complete the Pet Portrait Enquiry Form
Complete the Pet Portrait Enquiry Form. Provide me with details about the style of portrait, the pet you'd like me to paint (e.g. name, type of animal and breed) and any other details you'd like me to know/questions you have.
I will then contact you to discuss your request and confirm all the details.
Alternatively you can email me at aimee@aimeeblack.com.au
5. Creating Your Portrait
Once your booking is confirmed, I will paint your portrait using professional watercolour pigment on high-quality archival paper.
Portraits typically take around 3–4 weeks to complete. I will confirm the turnaround time upon confirmation (If you have a deadline e.g. a birthday), I can usually work to this date.
3. Choose Your Photo
Next, choose a good quality photo of your pet that captures their personality — one that feels like them - and that shows their features clearly i.e. I can see their eyes and colouring. See below for detailed info about how to choose your photos. You can send photos to me via email or text.
6. Finishing & Delivery
When your portrait is finished, I will email you with a photo of the completed painting.
Once you are happy with the artwork, we arrange final payment and postage, and your portrait is carefully packaged and sent to you.
Payment can be made by bank transfer (preferred) or credit or debit card (via secure payment link).
Ready to book or enquire?
Any questions? email me: aimee@aimeeblack.com.au
Want the full guide to choosing the perfect photo for your pet portrait?
Just enter your details and have it sent straight to your inbox
By entering your details you will be added to the Aimee Black Art VIP list. This entitles you to a complimentary custom mini artwork when you commission a Standard size (or larger) pet portrait within 60 days*
Photo Guide - Choosing the Best Image
Choosing the right photo helps me capture your pet’s personality as accurately as possible and makes for the best painting. Here are a few simple tips to help you choose a great reference image.
Clear, natural lighting
Photos taken in natural daylight usually work best. Try to avoid very dark images or strong shadows across your pet’s face.
Eyes visible
The eyes are one of the most important parts of a portrait, so it’s helpful if they are clearly visible in the photo. Side on photos are fine and long as one of the eyes can be seen clearly.
Eye-level photos
Photos taken at your pet’s eye level create the most engaging portraits. Try to avoid photos where your pet is looking up or down at the camera.
Choose a photo that captures an expression you connect with.
The most important thing is choosing a photo that captures your pet’s personality — something that feels like them to you. The best paintings capture an expression that you connect with, for example the way their eyes light up when they see a ball (rather than a sad or sleepy expression).
If Your Pet Has Passed Away
Sometimes when a pet has passed, the photos we have are older or not perfect. Please don’t worry about that — I can often still work with them.
Feel free to send through a few photos that you love and I’ll help you choose the one that will work best for the portrait.
Pet Memorial Portraits
For many people, portraits are created to remember a beloved animal who has passed away.
I understand how deeply animals become part of our lives, and memorial portraits are created with great care and respect for the animal being remembered.
A note from Aimee
As someone who has loved animals deeply — and experienced the heartbreak of losing them — I understand how meaningful and senstive these portraits can be.
It’s always a privilege to be trusted to paint an animal who means so much to someone.
