Animal Portraits

“Imagine your best friend, your faithful companion, captured in watercolor.”

Kamron - Sheltie Dog You are FREE to CHOOSE
Honor and Immortalize your Pet or favorite Animal

Interested in a custom animal or pet portrait? I celebrate pets of all shapes and sizes! Not only do I paint cats & dogs - I love painting domestic, wildlife, farm and exotic animals such as rabbits, horses, leopards, tigers, squirrels, chimps, hummingbirds, gecko lizards, teacup pigs, ponies, sugar gliders, beta fish, or parakeets/budgies! No animal is off limits for me to paint, it can be real, mythical, extinct, whatever. There’s a lot of time, love, and energy that goes into creating each custom piece!

I want to help people and animals with my gift. I want to make people happy, give them a reason to smile, or be moved, and in some cases also to help heal and gain some closure from the loss of a pet. The second part is as it states, I am honoring the animals that I portray.

In my mind I am giving each animal I Paint or Draw, whether they are with us still or not, a small piece of immortality. People will gaze upon them long after they are gone, and can still enjoy their beauty and personality. And finally I find peace in knowing that all of these positives will continue far into the future long after I myself am gone.

Honor and Immortalize your Pet or favorite animal with an important piece of fine art; The Original Charles Davis Watercolor Painting. This work will continue to honor its subject, and elicit smiles and emotion for literally generations.

I try to capture the unique personality of your “best friends” in a realistic style that can convey more emotion than a mere photograph!
I work on high-quality acid-free paper, watercolor pens, and watercolor pencils. Much of my work has a simplified or no background, allowing all the focus on the animal. This minimalist approach leaves the viewer with an unadorned appreciation for the beauty and simplicity of the animal in the painting. My standard painting sizes are 5x7, 8x10, or 11x14. Larger sizes are available upon request. (see below)

If you haven’t gotten a portrait of your pet done yet, it’s definitely a nice thing to consider. Having an artist-crafted dog portrait or cat portrait is a great way to celebrate the awesomeness that is your pet. It also can serve as a fond tool of remembrance for when you pet has passed away.

YES! I WANT A PORTRAIT

Why Get A Custom
Charles Davis Watercolor Portrait?

  • Our pets give us unconditional love

    The bond between pet and owner and the profound love people have for their pets truly inspires me
  • You, like most pet owners, consider your pet a member of the family.

    you reflect on the fond memories of fun times with your pet
  • You, a friend or family member lost a beloved member of the family

    Each pet is unique and has their own personality. I never just paint a cat, a dog, a horse - I paint your cat, your dog, your horse.
YES! I WANT A PORTRAIT

How to Pick the Right Size for Your Portrait

The first step to ordering any custom piece of art is determining your aim and priorities.

Ask yourself what's more important to you: the cost of the portrait or the subject matter?

If you are struggling with choosing a portrait size, don't worry: we're here to help!
Choosing a size is one of the most common questions we get, so we’ve put together this handy size guide to walk you through the considerations.

At Davis Images, I offer three standard portrait sizes: Small ($175), Medium ($350), and Large ($690) as well as custom orders, to fit your budget and portrait considerations. If you would like something bigger, such as 16" x 20" or larger the price starts at $1440+.

The number of subjects and composition of your photo dictates your portrait size options. If cost is your primary consideration for your portrait, then start with the size that works in your budget and select a photo that follows the below guidelines.

Portrait Pricing

  • 16" x 20" or larger
  • $ 1440+ (1 animal/pet)
  • Discount Offer
    $100 for each additional animal/pet in the same painting
  • Perfect for:
    A large portrait as a feature piece on any wall in your home. Great for behind a couch/sofa.
  • Double Mat Included
    *(Depending on final size)
  • Our Custom size portraits are exactly that - customizable to whatever size you're looking for, and priced out accordingly.
  • 25% Deposit To Save Your Spot:
    16"x20" Price: $1440.00
    Deposit: $360
    18"x24" Price: $1945.00
    Deposit: $487
    20"x30" Price: $2700.00
    Deposit: $675
    (Deposit is non-refundable - it covers the sketching process)
  • Once deposit is made I will contact you to discuss your painting and begin the sketch
  • Typically takes about 4-6 weeks from sketch to finished piece
  • *Simple background included with all watercolor portraits = blank (white) or solid color (may have shaded gradations, but no scenery or furniture)
  • Choose Your Custom Size
    *(Deposit Prices)
  • Large
    11" x 14"
  • $ 690.00 (1 animal/pet)
  • Discount Offer
    $100 for each additional animal/pet in the same painting
  • Perfect for:
    Hanging in a hallway gallery, sitting on the mantelpiece, or as a smaller stand-alone piece on the wall.
  • 16" x 20" Double Mat Included
  • The Large portrait allows for maximum flexibility in the composition of the piece and the size and position of each subject.
  • 25% Deposit To Save Your Spot:
    11"x14" Deposit: $172.50
    (Deposit is non-refundable - it covers the sketching process)
  • Once deposit is made I will contact you to discuss your painting and begin the sketch
  • Typically takes about 4-6 weeks from sketch to finished piece
  • *Simple background included with all watercolor portraits = blank (white) or solid color (may have shaded gradations, but no scenery or furniture)
  • Small
    5" x 7"
  • $ 175 (1 animal/pet)

  • Not recommending to have more than one (1) animal/pet in the same painting
  • Perfect for:
    A statement piece on a desk, bookshelf, bedside table or mantel piece.
  • Mat Not Included
  • The Small portrait is a great gift and is another popular size.
    Typically this size works great for a single pet or animal.
  • 25% Deposit To Save Your Spot:
    5"x7" Deposit: $43.75
    (Deposit is non-refundable - it covers the sketching process)
  • Once deposit is made I will contact you to discuss your painting and begin the sketch
  • Typically takes about 4-6 weeks from sketch to finished piece
  • *Simple background included with all watercolor portraits = blank (white) or solid color (may have shaded gradations, but no scenery or furniture)

my working process in 3 STEPS

Every one of these steps is crucial to finish your painting successfully. Follow this LINK to see all the steps in more detail.

ALL 10 STEPS +

Painting Initiation

One of the most important steps in the painting process is accumulating the information I’ll need. First, I'll work with you to discuss your pet or animal portrait. If you have one pose/photo in mind already, it is important that the photograph be as clear and up close as possible to be used as a reference to paint from. A non-refundable deposit of 25% is prior to starting the next step - Sketching.

Sketching

It’s now time to put my nose to the grindstone. After reviewing the photos given to me, I can start the sketch. This phase usually takes a day or two to look over the photos you supplied me and make sure I capture your loved pet or animal's personality. Once Sketch is Approved, another 25% payment is due.

Presentation / Refinement & Delivery

When I have completed the portrait I will send you a photo of it. You will then have the opportunity to approve the painting or suggest any changes to be made. Upon final approval the remaining 50% is due before shipping will take place.

Process & Typical Questions:

Commissioning a Charles Davis Watercolor pet/animal portrait is easy. Here is the process:

1. Once you have chosen the size you want to order (Above) click "Buy Now". You will be taken to a new page where you will fill out your information and have the ability to upload your best photos of your pet that you have, preferably digital .jpg with 300 dpi (if you want to send me printed photos or slides please only send me duplicates, not originals.) and a brief written personality description of your pet. If you don't have photos ready at the time of your order note that and we can touch base as to how to get me your photos.

2. If you are not ordering a pet portrait and would like to have a painting done of your favorite animal, it can be a real, extinct, mythical, domesticated, wild etc., note that on the page you are taken to after you place your order. We can also touch base if you have specific requests.

3. After reviewing the photos given to me and we discuss your painting, I can start the sketch. This phase usually takes a day or two to look over the photos you supplied me and make sure I capture your loved pet or animal's personality.

4. Once I begin the commission I will email you a custom webpage link of the sketch for you to review and approve. (This page will also contain paypal buttons for the remaining 2 payments as they are due.)

5. Once Sketch is Approved, another 25% payment is due, which can be paid via the Paypal buttons on your page. I will then send you a Commission Agreement with all the information and description of your painting.

6. When I receive the signed Commission Agreement, the pet portrait will be scheduled to begin. Before the portrait is finished and during it I will inform you when I upload a new image of your painting-in-progress for your review and for any minor adjustments.

7. Your painting should take roughly 4-6 weeks to complete, depending on the number of commissions that are ahead of you. Upon completion of the portrait I will email you a picture of the finished portrait, with an invoice for the balance due. Your custom page will contain paypal buttons for the remaining 2 payments as they are due.

8. Upon receipt of the 50% balance, I will ship your painting to you or if you live in New England (Massachusetts) you can come to pick it up, just let me know and we can make arrangements. A signed Certificate of Authenticity accompanies your painting. Please note, commissioned portraits are on a first-come first-serve basis. In order to maintain my standards of customer service, each drawing will receive my full attention. Estimation of completion time is based on when the conversion from picture to drawing is begun – not when the order is placed.

Champion or Companion — Your Pet Deserves a Portrait!

Typical Questions:

1. Why do portrait commissions cost a lot?
My portraits shouldn't be confused with 10-minute caricatures at the mall. They also aren't "sketches." The sketch is really just the first step in creating a work of art. Each Charles Davis Watercolor painting is unique, custom, and starts with a sketch.

2. Do you work from photos or real life?
I work from photos, since even the best-trained pets have no patience for a portrait sitting! ;-) Sending a variety of photos usually works best, since sometimes I can combine the best from each. You can email digital photos or scans or snail-mail traditional photos, which I will return with your portrait.

3. Can I have more than one animal in a portrait or I would like to order multiple portraits, can I get a discount?
Yes! I discount multiple portraits on the same order 20%, so for the 8"x10" the first would be $350 and each additional one would be $280. Make note of that when you place your order.
When in the check out process choose the quantity of portraits you would like to have. The deposit will be the same amount but the discount will be deducted from the total amount due on the 2nd and final payments.

Additional pets in the same portrait will be charged $100 for each pet/animal after the first one. For example, the 8"x10" will cost $350 for one animal, for 2 animals/pets it will be $450, 3 equals $550, etc.

4. I don’t like using PayPal so I would prefer to pay via check.
That's fine. Feel free to give me a call and we can make arrangements. I will let you know where to mail your checks.

5. How should I send you my Film Photos?
a. Traditional film photos I will let you know where to snail-mail them to (You will have access to my mailing address once you place your order via Paypal.). Do not send originals, please use copies or duplicates.

b. Scanning the photos: Scan the photos and email them or snail mail a CD-ROM containing the photos. Scan at high resolution (300 ppi or dpi) and save the file as a high quality JPEG. See your scanner instructions for how to do this. If your pet's face measures less than two inches on the print, scan at a higher resolution (400 or 600 ppi) or at 200% magnification at 300 ppi.

If you are taking the photos especially for this portrait, request a CD-ROM of the photos when you have them developed and snail-mail me the CD. I'll return your Photos and CDs to you with your portrait.

6. How should I send you my Digital Photos?
If you have your photos ready when you place your order you can use the form after you send your deposit.

Send me your original digital photos at full resolution to preserve as much detail as possible (don't reduce or enlarge them):

Email them if there are only a few. If the file sizes are larger than 1 megabyte, please email just two or three at a time in separate emails.
Burn a CD if you've taken a lot of photos, and snail mail it to me. (You will have access to my mailing address once you place your order via Paypal.)
Use a ZIP utility to compact all the photos into one .zip archive and I can send you a file-sharing link to upload them to. If you don't know what a ZIP archive is, then this probably isn't a good time to learn, unless you have a techie friend to help you! ;-)

7. What if my pet is gone and I don't have the option of taking any more photos?
If your pet is gone, send what photos you have. I will combine the best from each to get the detail(s) I need. That's what I did for this memorial portrait of Duke, a Bluetick Coonhound, who happens to be the dog at the top of this page.

8. I'm interested in having a portrait of our two dogs done. Can you work from two separate photos and combine into one portrait?
Yes, since it is nearly impossible to get photos of two critters together without one of them moving, looking the wrong way, etc. It is best to have the same lighting conditions if you want them to look like they are sitting together naturally. Having a lot of photos to choose from helps, especially since photos will be posthumously, so you may not have the option to take more photos.

9. How can I take photos of more than two pets, so the lighting is similar enough to use for one portrait?
One of the challenges of combining pets in a portrait is that the lighting is usually different on each. It helps to have plenty of photos, since I’ll often need to use the pose from one photo, but the lighting from another.

If you don’t have suitable photos already, my advice is to take them outside in bright shade (not direct sunlight) and just start shooting as many photos as you can from different angles. Most likely we’ll be able to pick suitable photos from the bunch (if you have a digital camera, this is pain-free, since taking a lot of photos doesn’t cost any more than taking one.). If you can get them to sit in the same spot, facing (roughly) the same direction with respect to the light (it's OK if they are looking different directions, as long as the light is coming from the same angle), we’ll be sure to have something to work with.

10. What are the shipping costs?
Orders are shipped U.S. Postal Service Priority Mail (2-3 day delivery within the U.S.). Shipping (including insurance fee) is calculated based on your order total. All prices in US Dollars. If you would like to use another form of shipping we can discuss that in our initial conversations.

International Shipping Charge: An additional charge will be applied to cover the difference between US domestic and international Priority Mail postage (varies depending on recipient's country).

All prices include your pet's own page of merchandise if you would like to have that set up.

Terms and Conditions:
All of your private information such as emails, names, etc - will be kept private. I like to post the pieces as examples on my website and social media (Facebook, Instagram, etc.) (I will tag your Facebook or Instagram name if you have one). I retain copyright and ownership over the rights to all artwork. If you want to reproduce the image (prints, t-shirts, buttons, etc) I require a licensing payment for the rights to reproduce and will make you sign a legal contract.

Sharing your custom painting on social media platforms is totally allowed and encouraged, just tag and credit the work to me please ^_^ letting people know you now have a Charles Davis Watercolor. I appreciate referrals!

Refund Policy:

I do NOT accept returns or cancel sales for changes of heart. Sorry. Once payment is made, the item has been started.

All custom items are final. (Obviously, I cannot take returns on custom commission portraits.) To avoid any unhappy customers, I will always email you a picture of the final image before I send it out.

I cannot offer refunds for any fault in the mail system (damaged, late, or failed delivery).

**I apologize, but I cannot accept returns or exchanges for items you receive that are not the exact coloring you were looking for.**

***Please note, the settings on your computer may alter the color of drawings slightly***

STATS & FUN FACTS

198 +

HOURS OF PAINTING THIS MONTH

40 +

TUBES OF PAINT SQUEEZED THIS MONTH

9900+

CUPS ICE WATER THIS YEAR

361,560+

HOURS OF EXPERIENCE
Top qualities: Great Results, Personable, On Time
Charlie has been a great partner for my business. He works hard, pays attention to details, and handles my requests with speed and accuracy. Charlie exceeds my expectations in everything he does for me.

Bill Burnett

CEO
Top qualities: Personable, Good Value, High Integrity
Charlie was easy to work with and was very accommodating of all our picky requests. He completed things on time and within budget, and the two design pieces came out looking nice.

Val Nelson

Manager of FoodPlay Media at FoodPlay Productions
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