ValPaints | Custom Pet Portraits

before & after

Every portrait starts with your photo

Slide between the photo and the finished painting. The pose and personality stay exactly the same; I paint every detail by hand, never with AI.

Hand-painted portrait of a west highland terrier sitting on a garden path

Hand-painted portrait of a dapple dachshund standing on a sofa

Hand-painted portrait of a black cat sitting on a table beside a vase of flowers

Hand-painted memorial portrait of a grey and white tabby cat sitting beside a door

Hand-painted portrait of a scruffy grey dog sitting on a boat by the lake

Hand-painted portrait of a miniature pinscher lying in a sunbeam beside a striped ball

Hand-painted portrait of a boxer wearing a blue collar, set against a soft plain background

kind words

Val is an extremely talented and detailed artist, and she is delightful to work with as well! When I received the portrait of my dog, I knew I had made the right decision as she captured his very essence. I will cherish this portrait for years to come.

I had been wanting a memorial piece for my cat Khyber and her work really spoke to me. She got back to me right away and she started working on the piece as soon as we decided on a reference photo. She was much quicker than I could have even hoped for and worked with me to make sure the finished product was exactly what I wanted, making any alterations I requested. I couldn’t be happier with how the piece turned out and would recommend her work to anyone!

I absolutely love the portrait Val created of my dog. She captured not just how Diego Luna looks, but his personality and sweet expression in a way that makes me smile every time I see it. The whole process was easy, and the final artwork is something I’ll treasure for years. I couldn’t recommend her more if you’re looking for a meaningful pet portrait.

Included with every portrait

Help choosing the best photo to work from
A true likeness, down to the details that make your pet instantly recognizable
Light clean-ups, like tidying the background or removing a distracting object
A preview for your approval, plus one round of small adjustments
Your finished high-resolution file, yours to keep forever and print at any size

Pricing

Three ways to have your pet painted. Every one is made by hand from your favorite photo and delivered as a high-resolution digital file.

most loved

Original background

$175

Your pet and the whole scene, painted just like your photo.

Solid background

$135

Every detail of your pet, set against a simple solid color.

Sketch

$65

A pencil-style sketch of your pet.

A 30% deposit reserves your spot, and you settle the balance only after you approve your preview.

Prints: Printing is optional, but if you want it ready to hang, I can have it professionally printed on fine-art paper and shipped to you. Prices depend on the print size, so just ask.
Something extra? I can add a second pet, create a custom background that isn’t in your original photo, or rush your portrait if you need it sooner. Just mention it in your email and I’ll include it in your quote.

Start your portrait

how it works

From photo to portrait

Send your photo. Email me the photo you love. I’m happy to help you choose the one that will look best.
Reserve your spot. A 30% deposit saves your place, and I begin painting.
Preview & approve. Your preview is ready within two weeks, often sooner, with one round of small adjustments included.
It’s yours. Once you’ve settled the balance, the high-resolution file lands in your inbox.

good to know

A few common questions

What kind of photo works best?

Clear, well-lit photos are best. Send a few options if you can, and we’ll choose the one that will make the strongest portrait together. Tell me about any detail you especially want me to capture, such as a favorite collar, one blue eye, or a certain expression.

Can you create memorial portraits?

Yes, always. Memorial portraits are some of the most meaningful pieces I paint, and I’m honored to make them.

Can I order a portrait as a gift?

Yes! Just tell me if it’s needed by a certain date and I’ll plan around it. If the date is close, a rush turnaround is available.

What adjustments are included?

You’ll receive a preview for your approval before the portrait is final, with one round of small adjustments included, like tweaking a detail, a color, or the background. Bigger changes, like starting from a different photo, are best avoided by choosing the right photo together at the start.

How do optional prints and shipping work?

If you’d like a physical print, I can arrange professional printing on fine-art paper through a trusted lab and have it shipped to you, ready to frame. Prices depend on the print size, so tell me what you have in mind and I’ll include the details in your quote.

about

Hi, I’m Val

I’m a digital artist based in California, and I paint on an iPad instead of paper or canvas. I work in Procreate and make every brushstroke by hand. It’s real, original art. Nothing is made by a computer or AI.

I’ve been drawing for as long as I can remember. As a kid, I’d sketch, draw, and paint anything I saw and loved. Eventually my family noticed how much I adored it and enrolled me in art school, where I spent five years learning traditional art, everything from pastels and watercolors to batik (a wax-and-dye fabric art) and pottery. I also studied art history and discovered so many different styles and artists who inspired me along the way.

That foundation is what helped me find my own style and, eventually, start my own art business. Today, I get to do what I love most: capturing people’s beloved pets. I paint pets because they’re family, and I put my whole heart into every portrait, because I know how much these little ones mean.

Whether it’s a gift, a memorial, or simply a way to celebrate a pet you adore, I’d be honored to create something you’ll treasure for years to come.

say hello

So excited to paint your pet!

Ask me anything, or tell me a little about your best friend and I’ll take it from there. I reply within a day or two.

Prefer email? valpaints@pm.me