Posted on: February 18, 2022 Posted by: Alison Lurie Comments: 0
Pet Portraits: A Comprehensive Guide to Different Types of Pet Portraits 

Portraits of animals are popular for many reasons. Stellar villa pet portraits can be used as memorials to beloved companions who have passed away or to create a special piece of art that captures the personality and charm of your pet.

What are the different types of pet portraits?

There are several different types of pet portraits. They all have their unique purpose and style, ranging from the photo-realistic to the abstract. The five most common types are:

Classical – 

This is a realistic painting in the traditional sense. The artist attempts to paint so that it’s like looking at the actual animal when you look at it. It should appear as though you could walk up and touch it because it is that lifelike. The classical art style takes hours of careful detail work and is usually reserved for the most realistic of artists.

Cartoon – 

A cartoon is a caricature, so it’s not trying to be a 1 to 1 replica of the animal. Instead, it exaggerates certain features and plays with proportions to give a humorous effect with an obvious twist on reality. Cartoons are also done in many styles, including anime, Japanese art, and other graphic novel styles.

Photo-Realistic – 

With modern technology, it’s possible to create a painting so realistic you could swear the animal is still alive. The artist uses photos as their reference, but these days they can even use video if needed. Most artists of this style work on commission, usually because it requires the pet owner to bring in live animals for hours of sitting. It is, however, possible to have a sense it can take up to a year and hundreds of hours to complete the piece.

Semi-Realistic – 

This portrait falls somewhere between cartoon and photo-realistic. It’s stylized, but not to the point of being comical or fake. The animal should still look like it could exist in real life,

just exaggerated features.

Abstract –

This type of portrait is extremely stylized and can be done in many different ways. It’s a modern style that doesn’t seek to represent the animal per see but rather creates an intriguing piece of art with a surrealist approach. These types of paintings are usually created by abstract artists who have no desire to try and capture the likeness of an animal.

Mixed Media – 

Finally, there are mixed media portraits. This stylistic choice is usually reserved for unique artists because it requires a high skill level to pull off well. The artist may use several different techniques or mediums in one painting to create an interesting effect that makes you question what exactly you’re looking at.

What are the common pet portrait sizes?

The size you choose comes down to your personal preferences, but it should also be in proportion to your home. For example, if you have a small apartment with limited space, don’t choose a painting that will overwhelm the room. Conversely, if you have a large home with high ceilings, you can go for something larger.

Here are the most common pet portrait sizes:

2′ x 3′ – This size is usually reserved for photo-realistic pieces and cartoon work. Unfortunately, it’s not the easiest thing to create, so it’s often pricey as well. Nevertheless, the 2×3 size is the standard for photo-realistic art.

16″ x 20″ – This is a great size for an artistic semi-realistic piece of

abstract work. Again, it should be in proportion to your room, but this size

works well for most living rooms and home offices.

8″ x 10″- This is probably the most common size for pet portraits, and it is a good size no matter what type you decide to create. Most artists have this size available in their galleries or online store, so it’s easy for the owner to buy. You will also find that most photo studios offer this size when they do animal photography, so if you can’t get a reference photo of your pet, it’s possible to use one from the studio.

5″x7″- Sometimes, you will find a favorite portrait or painting that is too

large for your home, but you love it so much you still want to display it. In

this case, purchasing a 5×7 size can be a great compromise. It’s small enough to fit in most rooms, but it’s still large enough to convey the powerful message of a great piece of pet art.

In conclusion, there is no right or wrong choice for pet portraits. The most

important thing is for the owner to evaluate what they want and attempt to convey that in words so the artist can understand their vision.

Pet portraits require a certain degree of creativity on both the subject and the artist. If you are considering commissioning a portrait of your pet and want to know what to expect, we hope this guide will be helpful.