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Portrait of Lisa with horses, Shilo and Bruno

by In Commission, Gifts, Pet Portrait Tagged , , , , , , , ,

A Milestone Gift

Last fall, I had the joy of completing one of my most meaningful commissions to date: a portrait of a dear friend of the family, Lisa with her two horses, Shilo and Bruno. The painting was commissioned by her husband, Leo, as a surprise for Lisa’s 60th birthday.

Lisa and Leo have a special place in my artistic journey. Lisa was my very first pet portrait client back in 2015, when I painted her horse Shilo and then her three dogs. Since then, they have been some of my most devoted collectors, with around a dozen still lifes and animal paintings in ther home. More than that, they are some of the warmest, most charming people I know. I’d often dreamed of painting Lisa’s portrait someday, and when Leo reached out, I was thrilled.

The Challenge of the Mock-Up

Because the portrait was a surprise, we worked from existing images. Most were casual snapshots and none were close to the painting Leo and I were envisioning. Some photos had a great expression of Lisa, a strong image of her riding the wrong horse, or great shots of the horses with no one riding, but nothing lined up just right. I spent weeks trying every possible combination, piecing together multiple “Frankenstein” mock-ups using Lisa, Shilo, Bruno, and even a saddle reference found online. Mock-ups are such a critical part of the commission process, but nothing felt quite right, and I began to panic.

Then, just a few months before the deadline, Leo sent a new batch of photos. Among them were perfect images of Lisa riding Bruno in the autumn forest, and perfect images of Shilo, her now retired horse, grazing. The fall color was meaningful as the family had recently bought a house in New Hampshire, and the seasonal change there is spectacular. At last, everything clicked. The mock-up came together in no time, and I could dive into painting. 

A Gift to Treasure

When the portrait was finished, Leo and Lisa were out of town, but I wanted them to have it as soon as they got back. I shipped it to my parents, who live just a few houses away, and they hand-delivered it when Leo and Lisa returned. Both of them burst into tears when they unwrapped it, and my mom later told me how much it moved her to witness the moment. Hearing my mother say how proud she was of my work brought me to tears as well.

From Lisa:
“It’s here!!!! Do you realize the JOY your talent brings people? It’s an incredible painting—so beautiful and you hit every detail. I LOVE it and I LOVE you!”

Moments like these remind me why I make this work and I’m so grateful for every moment in the studio. Portraits are a celebration of love, memory, and connection. Happy birthday Lisa! ❤️

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Scottish Terrier Pet Portrait

by In Commission, Pet Portrait Tagged , , , , , , , , ,

Tilly, oil on Aluminum, 4″ x 4″

The reference images for my pet portraits are almost always provided by clients—and the better the images, the better the painting turns out. This portrait of Arthur, a dignified Scottish Terrier, is a wonderful example of how strong reference photos can lead to a successful painting.

Strong Reference, Strong Portrait

Tilly (Arthur’s human) sent me around twenty high-quality photos along with a clear vision: she wanted to see Arthur in a red chair or on a red cushion. What really made her images exceptional was the lighting and the angle.

Most of the photos were taken outdoors or next to a bright window. That natural light helps reveal accurate colors, fine details in the eyes, and the rich texture of fur. The image I ended up using as my primary reference is a perfect example of what a big difference a window can make.

Tilly also photographed Arthur at eye level in most of the images. That perspective helps reduce distortion and adds a sense of intimacy which is something I always aim for in my portraits.

If you’re planning to commission a portrait, I’ve shared some helpful tips for taking reference photos of your dog or your cat.

Original Image
terrier mock up for pet portrait
Digital Mock Up
scottish terrier pet portrait oil painting miniature by Rebecca Luncan
Final Painting

From Photo to Painting

As shown in the images above, I always begin by creating a digital mock-up based on the client’s references. I adjust background shapes and colors to complement the subject and guide the viewer’s eye throughout the composition while keeping the focus firmly on the animal’s personality.

In Arthur’s case, I made a few key changes from the original image: I simplified the background considerably and lowered the top line of the chair so it sits just beneath his nose, which helps enhance his alert, poised expression. Other changes from the mock-up to the final painting were subtle refinements in color, contrast, and texture that came through as I worked.

While painting, I referred back to the other images Tilly sent to double-check details and keep things accurate. I softened the contrast in Arthur’s fur and muted the background slightly to give him more depth. That also made his eyes appear brighter. One final and important detail: I made sure to include the little tuft of hair that stuck straight up in nearly every other photo. Tilly mentioned it specifically, and I knew it had to be there.

From Tilly

“This is perfect! Thank you so much for working so hard on it. I’m absolutely in love…”
—Tilly

If you’re curious about commissioning your own pet portrait (or giving one as a gift), you can find information on pricing, gift vouchers, and timelines on my commissions page.