The Story Behind Oakey’s Pet Portrait: From Social Media Screenshots to a Surprise Gift
Every now and then I like to share a little behind-the-scenes look at one of my portraits.
Not just because I enjoy showing the painting process, but because I think it helps people see how an ordinary photograph taken on a phone can become something much more personal and special.
This is the story of Oakey, a beautiful Irish Setter whose portrait began with a few social media screenshots and ended as a surprise birthday gift that his family will treasure for years to come.
Oakey’s portrait was commissioned by my client as a birthday surprise for her sister, who lives in my home country, Aotearoa, New Zealand.
The interesting part? My client didn’t actually have any photos of Oakey herself.
Instead, she became a bit of a detective, scrolling through her sister’s social media and collecting screenshots - lucky there were many of Oakey to choose from!
Choosing the Perfect Reference Photo
This was the photograph I chose to work from.I loved it because it captured Oakey in a quiet, reflective moment. There was a sense of peacefulness about him, while his eyes were still full of life.
It’s one of those expressions that makes you wonder what they’re thinking—and I’m sure his family would know exactly.
The photo itself wasn’t perfect. It was slightly blurry, but that matters far less than most people think.
One of the questions I’m asked most often is:
"Are my photos good enough?"
The answer is almost always yes.
Of course, a sharp, high-resolution photo is wonderful to work from, but it’s not the most important thing. What I’m really looking for is personality.
I want to see their expression, the softness in their face, the way their ears sit, the little details that make them who they are, and that familiar look in their eyes that instantly says, “That’s them.”
Those are the things that help me create a portrait that feels like more than just a likeness.
Bringing a Watercolour Pet Portrait to Life
Every portrait begins with a light pencil sketch before I slowly build the painting in layers of watercolour.
My style is quite loose and organic (even though the final painting ends up looking very detailed). I use plenty of water on the page and drop in richly pigmented paint straight from the tube, allowing the colours to flow and mingle naturally.
It’s one of the things I love most about watercolour. Some of the most beautiful effects happen when the paint is allowed to move naturally, creating soft blends, unexpected textures and gentle movement that work perfectly for capturing fur.
Rather than trying to control every tiny detail, I let the paint do some of the work. This helps each portrait develop its own character and keeps every piece completely unique.
As the layers build, the portrait slowly starts to emerge.
This is always one of my favourite stages.
It’s the moment when it stops looking like paint on paper and starts looking like them.
Suddenly it's like:
"Oh hi... there you are."
I have to admit, this is also the stage where I usually find myself talking to the portrait as though the pet is sitting beside me.
Slightly unhinged? Probably.
But it’s also when I start to feel that emotional connection coming through in the painting. That feeling is exactly what I’m hoping to capture—not just what a pet looks like, but something of who they are.
The Finished Watercolour Pet Portrait
When Oakey’s portrait was finished, I was so happy with how it came together.
I felt like it captured his gentle nature, his beautiful fur and colouring, and that thoughtful expression that first drew me to the original photograph.
But my favourite part of creating a portrait isn’t actually finishing the painting.
It’s knowing where it’s going next.
In Oakey’s case, the portrait was carefully wrapped and transported to New Zealand…to become a very special birthday surprise.
The Best Part: Seeing the Reaction
After my client gave the portrait to her sister, she sent me this beautiful message:
Reading messages like this never gets old!
Creating a custom pet portrait is about so much more than painting an animal.
It’s about celebrating the beautiful and incredible bond people share with their pets and creating something that reflects just how much they mean to the people who love them.
Unlike a photo that can easily become lost amongst thousands of images on a phone, a hand-painted pet portrait becomes something tangible—something that can be displayed, enjoyed and treasured every day.
Whether it’s a birthday surprise, a Christmas gift, an anniversary present, a memorial portrait, or simply a way to celebrate a much-loved companion, I love knowing that each painting becomes part of someone’s home and their story.
It’s such an honour to be trusted with those memories.
Thinking About Commissioning a Custom Pet Portrait?
If you’ve been thinking about commissioning a watercolour pet portrait for your own pet, or surprising someone special with a meaningful gift, I’d love to hear from you.
And if you’re worried your photos aren’t quite good enough, don’t let that stop you. I’m always happy to look through the images you have and help you choose the best reference photo.
More often than not, the perfect photo isn’t necessarily the sharpest one—it’s the one that captures the personality, expression and little details you know and love.
Aimee x
P.S. If you’ve enjoyed reading Oakey’s story and would like to see more behind-the-scenes peeks into my portrait process, you’re very welcome to join my VIP list.
I’ll send occasional emails straight to your inbox with stories from recent commissions, a little dose of pet-filled joy, and updates from my studio.
As a VIP, you’ll also receive priority access to pet portrait commissions, special offers, and a complimentary mini watercolour and pen pet portrait with any standard portrait booking.
