I've painted thousands of animals since 1986. Dogs, cats, horses, wildlife — every subject, every style. And one question I get more than any other is: how do I actually get a custom portrait of my pet?

The answer is simple. Here's the entire process, start to finish, in five steps. No mystery, no chasing down an artist, no wondering if it's going to turn out right.

Before You Start: What Makes a Good Reference Photo

The single most important factor in a great pet portrait is the quality of your reference photo. I can paint anything — but garbage in means limits on what comes out. Here's what I need:

One good photo is all I need to start. Five gives me options to make something great.

The 5 Steps

1

Submit Your Photos and Request

Head to fredbarcaart.com/commissions/ and fill out the commission form. Tell me about your pet — their name, personality, anything you want captured. The form takes 5 minutes. Attach your best 3–5 photos. If you've seen a style in my gallery that resonates — Wildlife Royalty, Sassy Cats, Chamo Pop, Memorial Studio — mention it. If you're not sure, I'll recommend based on your pet.

2

Receive Your Custom Quote

I respond within 24 hours — usually faster. Your quote covers size, complexity, style, and delivery format. No surprise fees. The quote is fixed once you approve it — I don't come back asking for more halfway through. Prices start at $250 for single subjects and go up based on complexity and print options. Digital delivery is always included.

3

Approve and Pay the Deposit

If the quote works for you, I'll send a secure payment link for a 50% deposit via Stripe. That locks in your spot and starts production. No waiting lists, no vague timelines — I'll give you the exact turnaround when you confirm. Remaining balance is due when the finished portrait is ready for delivery.

4

Review the Work-in-Progress

Midway through production, I send a progress preview — usually a compositional sketch or early color stage. This is your chance to give input before the piece is finished. Want the background color shifted? Different angle on the face? Now's the moment. Most clients love what they see. Some have minor tweaks. This step exists so you're never surprised by the final.

5

Receive Your Finished Portrait

The final high-resolution file (300 DPI, print-ready) is delivered digitally with a Certificate of Authenticity. You own it. Print it at any size — wallet card to gallery wall — from any print shop. Optional: I can connect you with professional print services for gallery-quality fine art prints delivered to your door. Pay the remaining 50%, receive the files instantly.

Pro Tip

The most meaningful commissions I've done are memorial portraits — pets that have passed. If you're considering one, don't wait. Every day after a loss, the urgency to preserve them fades a little. These portraits hold something that photos can't: presence. If you've lost your animal recently, reach out now.

Pricing

Single Subject

$250

One pet. Head/bust composition. Digital delivery + Certificate of Authenticity.

Signature Portrait

$500

Full body or detailed composition. More complex background. Most popular option.

Collector Piece

$1,000+

Multi-pet, deeply complex, or museum-scale compositions. Inquiry required.

Print additions — fine art giclée on archival paper or canvas — are available as add-ons. Prices vary by size and substrate. Ask when you submit your request.

Frequently Asked Questions

Typically 1–3 weeks for standard commissions. Rush delivery (under 1 week) is available for an additional fee — ask when you submit. Memorial pieces may take slightly longer as I give them extra care.
The work-in-progress review at Step 4 is specifically designed to prevent this. If you're not happy with the final — which is rare — I'll revise until you are. I don't release work that doesn't represent both of us well.
Yes, and these are the commissions I care most about. I work from whatever you have — even older, lower-resolution photos. I've painted from blurry snapshots and turned them into something worthy of the wall. Just send what you have and I'll tell you what's possible.
Standard commissions include personal use rights — you can print, frame, share, use as gifts. Commercial rights (resale, merchandise, licensing) are a separate agreement. Reach out if you have a commercial use case in mind.
Dogs, cats, horses, birds, fish, reptiles — basically anything. I've painted 781+ artworks across 20+ animal species. Browse the gallery to see what's possible. If you're asking whether I've painted your breed before, the answer is probably yes.
No. Every stroke is mine. I've been painting since 1986. I use a Wacom tablet and Procreate — digital tools, but the hand and the eye behind them are human. Zero AI, ever. There's a whole article about why if you want to go deeper: Why I Will Never Use AI to Create Art.

Ready to Begin?

Submit your reference photos. I respond within 24 hours with a quote, no obligation.

Start Your Commission →