9 September 20224
It may go without saying, but to become a successful pet portrait artist, a genuine love for animals is essential. This passion allows you to connect deeply with clients and create portraits that truly capture the unique spirit of their pets.
Growing up with pets myself, I’ve always found them to be my favorite subjects to draw. While this may not be everyone’s experience, a genuine appreciation and respect for animals are crucial for success in this field.
In this blog post, I’ll guide you through the steps to become a pet portrait artist and share insights from my own journey.
Getting Started
Start Creating Pet Portraits
It might seem obvious, but the first step is to begin creating pet portrait art. Platforms like Skillshare and YouTube offer countless tutorials and classes to help you get started.
Practice as much as possible and strive to produce work that people are willing to pay for. Use your own pets as subjects, offer portraits to friends and family, or use online animal photos for inspiration. Every pet portrait, paid or unpaid, can be added to your portfolio to showcase your skills to potential clients.
Experiment and Find Your Niche
If you haven’t yet specialized in a particular art medium or style, I recommend trying out various techniques and styles. Follow tutorials or enroll in Skillshare classes to explore different approaches.
Once you discover a style that resonates with you, focus on mastering it and making it your niche. This will help you develop a unique personal style. Each portrait you create could also become part of your portfolio.
As your confidence grows in a specific style and technique, you can explore new methods and diversify your skills. The more options you offer, the more client opportunities you’ll have!
Getting your work out there
Building Your Professional Portfolio
Once you’ve begun painting pets and feel confident in your ability to create portraits that people would pay for, the next step is to create a professional portfolio.
If you’ve used photos from friends, clients, or suspect copyright issues with any images, always obtain permission before publishing them online.
A personal website is an excellent way to market your work and services. Your portfolio can be prominently featured on your site to showcase your style and artistic approach. There are numerous online guides for creating artist websites, so I won’t delve into specifics here.
However, I’ll outline essential elements to include on your website for a smooth client experience:
- Portfolio: Display both the original photos and your completed pet portraits (like this gallery).
- Your services: Clearly describe what you offer, including mediums, available sizes, customization options, lead times, and whether framing is included.
- How to order: Provide a clear method for clients to place orders, such as a form or email.
- Pricing: Include a detailed pricing table outlining your rates.
- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): Address common questions to provide helpful information to clients. Here‘s an example!
- Testimonials: Collect and showcase positive feedback from satisfied clients to build trust and credibility.
How to Price your artwork
A little foreword before I dive into this topic: this might be one of the most difficult things as an artist. I’ve received feedback from some people that I undersell myself; from others, that my pieces are too expensive. It’s hard to value art pieces in a fair manner, but it’s important to do right by all of the hard work that leads up to that finished art piece.
There is no universal price for pet portraits. It all comes down to the area where you live. Therefore, I would recommend that you start by doing some research about your market standards.
Once you have a benchmark in your mind, if you’re just starting out, I would recommend that you start small and be mindful of your pricing. As you get consistently busy and can’t keep up with demand, you can start increasing your prices.
Consider adding a table on your website with prices per size. I think this works better than hiding your prices, because I usually just assume that I can’t afford a price that is not displayed. When creating the table, use a per-square-inch formula as a starting point, but be prepared to adjust your pricing as your reputation and demand grow.
Never feel obligated to justify your prices. Your pricing is a reflection of your skills, experience, and the value you provide.
It’s important to remember that being an artist is a profession like any other. You have expenses to cover, and your art should be valued accordingly. Don’t hesitate to charge fairly for your work!
Deposits and Cancellations
Always request a non-refundable deposit before starting work to cover material costs. If I need to cancel the commission, I will refund the deposit. If a client cancels after work has begun, the deposit is non-refundable. However, if work hasn’t started, I will return the deposit.
While I am not interested in taking advantage of clients, it’s essential to require a deposit. Without one, there’s a risk of completing work that goes unpaid. A deposit helps ensure that clients have a vested interest in the final product.
Finding Your Furry Clients
Once you’ve honed your skills and built a portfolio, it’s time to find your clients. Here are some tips:
Spread the Word:
- Network within your community: connect with friends, local pet owners, veterinarians, groomers, and animal shelters to spread the word about your services.
- Offer discounts or promotions: encourage satisfied clients to refer their friends and family by offering discounts or special promotions.
Harness Social Media:
- Create engaging content: share your pet portraits, behind-the-scenes glimpses, and educational content on platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok.
- Use relevant hashtags: target your audience by using hashtags related to pet portraits, pet art, and your local area.
- Run contests and giveaways: offer free pet portraits or discounts to attract new followers and increase engagement.
Expand Your Online Presence:
- Utilize online marketplaces: list your services on platforms like Etsy, Fiverr, and Artfinder to reach a wider audience.
- Improve the SEO of your website: attract more organic traffic by creating content for your website. Keep it updated and relevant.
Engage with Local Communities:
- Attend pet-related events: participate in local dog shows, pet fairs, and farmers markets to connect with potential clients.
- Partner with businesses: collaborate with pet-friendly businesses like pet stores, grooming salons, and veterinary clinics to offer discounts or joint promotions.
By combining these strategies, you can effectively reach pet owners in your area and expand your business.
Provide Exceptional Customer Service
Delivering outstanding customer service is essential for building a successful pet portrait business. The key ingredients to this are:
Effective Communication:
- Respond promptly: answer inquiries and messages in a timely manner to show you value your clients’ time.
- Maintain open and clear communication: keep pet owners updated on the progress of their portraits, addressing any questions or concerns they may have.
Personalize the Experience:
- Listen to your clients: take the time to understand each client’s unique vision and preferences.
- Offer tailored suggestions: provide recommendations based on their pet’s personality, breed, and favorite activities.
- Add personal touches: incorporate special requests or details that reflect the client’s connection to their pet.
Manage Expectations:
- Set realistic timelines: be transparent about your turnaround times and avoid overpromising.
- Communicate potential delays: if unexpected delays occur, inform clients promptly and offer solutions.
- Be flexible when possible: if circumstances allow, consider accommodating special requests or adjustments.
Build Trust and Loyalty:
- Be reliable: consistently deliver high-quality work and meet deadlines.
- Show appreciation: thank clients for their business and encourage referrals.
- Go the extra mile: offer additional services or surprises to exceed expectations.
By providing exceptional customer service, you’ll create a positive reputation, attract repeat business, and foster strong relationships with your clients.
I will keep expanding this blog post as I learn more about being a pet portrait artist. There is always something new to be learnt!
All in all, I would say that becoming a successful pet portrait artist requires dedication and passion. By constantly honing your skills, developing a niche, and marketing your work, you can turn your love for animals and art into a thriving career. Best of luck to you all <3
Ready to unleash your inner pet portrait artist? Share your artistic journey with me in the comments below!
Looking for more artistic inspiration? Explore my blog for more creative tips and tricks!
