Cat Portraits - Pastel Paintings from Photos
Cats are elegant, expressive and wonderfully individual. From the calm confidence of a British Shorthair to the striking presence of a Bengal or the gentle gaze of a Siamese, every cat has a unique personality that deserves to be remembered.
My bespoke cat portraits are hand-drawn in pastel and created to capture not only your cat’s likeness, but also their character, spirit and charm. Whether you are looking for a simple head-and-shoulders study or a full-body composition, each portrait is produced with care, patience and attention to detail.
Custom pastel cat portrait commissioned from client photos
("Henry", 2018)
(My friend) was overwhelmed and cried, we both did. It is a fantastic picture and will be treasured for ever. Thank you again for making her birthday so special.
Gill Slinn
Cat Portraits from Photos
All of my cat portraits are drawn from your photographs, making it easy to commission a portrait no matter where you live. Good quality photos help me capture your cat’s markings, colouring and expression accurately.
It's best to send me a selection of photos of your cat. Their may be a favourite one of yours - if so please do mention this when you message me! Even if the photos aren’t perfect, I’m happy to advise on what will work best for your portrait. I've created some tips on taking photos for portraits here in my FAQ's.
Using photos also allows me to create:
• Natural, relaxed poses
• Clear facial detail and whisker definition
• Portraits of cats who may no longer be with us
Your finished artwork will feel lifelike, warm and personal.
Pastel Cat Portraits
I always feel a sense of respect and admiration when I create a cat portrait. As I work, I am waiting for that moment when I see not just colour and marks on a page but a little soul gazing at me - when the portrait comes to life! The pastel medium captures the sparkle in their eyes and the soft variety of markings in their fur, whilst also giving the portrait a soft romantic feel. I use professional soft pastels on high-quality archival paper and Stabilo pencils for the finer detail. (You can find out more about pastel media and how it differs from watercolour here in my FAQ’s.) Each portrait is individually hand-drawn and never rushed.
Cat Portrait Gallery
Featured below are some examples of previous cat portrait commissions as head and shoulder and full body cat portraits. In terms of size, I undertake most head and shoulder works at either 10" by 8" or 12" by 9" inches. This gives sufficient space for depicting the details in the fur and features, without becoming larger than life size. Full body portraits need to be a minimum of 16" by 12" or 18" by 14".
Group Cat Portraits in Pastel
If you share your home with more than one feline friend, I can create group cat portraits from separate photographs. This allows me to combine each cat’s best pose into one harmonious composition.
Group portraits work beautifully for:
• Two or three cats together
• Mixed ages or colours
• Memorial portraits
• Family keepsakes
Recommended sizes for group cat portraits:
• 16” by 12” size is well suited for two to three cats together (as head and shoulder studies).
• 18” by 14” or 20” by 15” size is ideal for larger groups. (I can always create bespoke sizes if a composition requires it.)
Hand-drawn group cat portrait in pastels ("Archie and Casper", 2011)
I thought you'd like to know that I gave my friend the picture of Archie and Casper today. She loved it! Thank you so much for making her day - she's a very dear friend and I was thrilled to be able to give her something special for her 60th birthday.
Dawn Rawlings
Group Cat Portrait Gallery
Here is a selection of previous pastel commissions depicting different types of cats together, including persians, tabbies and domestic black and white ones.
Cat Portrait Artist UK
As a professional cat portrait artist living here in the UK, I create bespoke pet portraits for cat lovers across the country and overseas. Every commission is treated with the same level of care and respect for your pet.
Over the years I’ve drawn many different breeds and characters, from pretty siamese cats to much-loved senior felines. My aim is always the same — to produce a portrait you’ll treasure for years to come.
When your portrait is nearing completion I'll send you a photo of the work via email to check that you are happy with the outcome. Small adjustments can still be made at this stage. The portrait is then safely packaged and posted, and sent by Royal Mail Special Delivery. The work is insured during transit and will need signing for on arrival.
Commission a Cat Portrait
Commissioning your own custom cat portrait is very straightforward. Just get in touch with your photos and any ideas you have for your artwork.
Here are a couple of other considerations:
• Collar – would like to see their collar and possibly a special tag in the portrait?
• Cats name – I usually place their name discreetly in the left or right-hand corner (and in the middle for group portraits). Let me know if you would like this added to the work.
I’m happy to advise on:
• Photo selection
• Background choices
• Size options
• Timescales and pricing
I’m continually humbled by the touching words my clients share when they receive their portraits.
Ready to Begin?
If you would love a custom portrait of your cat, just complete the form below, and I will personally connect with you to talk through your ideas.
Contact Julie
• ask me a question by filling in this form
• Email your photos to find out which ones can become a portrait
• Feel free to ring me on (01243) 773123
• or commission a portrait here