The Real Value Behind a Commission - By UK Pet Portrait Artist Emma Keys
- Emma Keys
- Oct 23
- 3 min read
(and why a portrait is so much more than paint on paper)
When people ask about commissions and pricing, the reactions vary, some think it’s far too little for the work involved, others pause, unsure what goes into it. Both make sense. Art is personal, and value looks different to everyone.
If you’re curious about what goes into my process, you can read more about commissioning a portrait here
Since updating my pricing this autumn, something interesting has happened: I’ve had fewer enquiries, but the right ones. The kind that don’t quibble or compare. The kind that already understand the heart, time and experience behind every piece. And honestly, that’s a sign I’m finally where I should be.
Because these portraits aren’t quick sketches or mass-produced prints. They’re hand-painted, from hours (and years) of patient layering, trial, and learning. And for the people who commission them, they become something that no photograph (or AI filter) could ever replace.
Hundreds of portraits, thousands of hours
Over the years, I’ve created hundreds of portraits and I’ve lost count of how many thousands of hours I’ve spent painting, drawing, re-starting, and refining. Every one of those hours taught me something new: how to see light properly, how to build depth through layers, how to catch the tiniest glint in a pet’s eye that makes them suddenly feel alive.
That experience doesn’t show up on an invoice, but it’s the foundation of every piece I paint. When you commission me, you’re not paying just for the hours it takes to complete your portrait, you’re paying for all the years it took to learn how to make it look effortless.
What Makes a Great Pet Portrait Artist (UK or Anywhere)
A great pet portrait artist doesn’t just copy a photo, they translate personality. It’s about understanding light, texture, and emotion, and knowing how to turn a simple image into something that feels alive. Every brushstroke counts, and every decision builds towards that spark where your pet suddenly looks back at you from the page.
It’s not just a picture, it’s a story
Every commission tells a story. Sometimes it’s a birthday surprise, sometimes it’s a memory of someone missed, sometimes it’s just because they make you smile every single day.
I’ve had clients cry when they collect their pieces. I’ve had hugs at the door and follow-up messages that have made me tear up too. It’s not about copying a photo, it’s about capturing who they were, the connection you shared, the tiny quirks that made them yours.
That’s why no two pieces are ever the same, because no two stories are.
Why a commission is worth the wait
When you commission a portrait, you’re not buying something ready-made. You’re starting a process. I’ll study your photos, plan your composition, and then slowly build up the layers until that spark appears - the one where it suddenly looks alive.
Some days the brush flows, other days it’s a wrestle between me, the water, and the paper. But when it finally clicks, when that moment happens it’s magic. And it’s worth every second.
What you’re really investing in
Time & skill: days of focused painting, built on thousands of hours of practice.
Experience: knowing how to turn an average photo into a portrait that feels real.
Emotion: the bond between artist, subject and owner.
Legacy: something lasting, more than a print, more than a photo — a memory made real.
Why my clients keep coming back
My favourite part of this job isn’t just the finished portrait, it’s the people. The returning customers who trust me again and again, the families who come back for another loved one, another pet, another story.
It’s never just transactional. It’s connection, trust, laughter, sometimes tears - and that’s worth far more
Thinking of commissioning a portrait?
If you’ve been meaning to have a portrait created, this is your sign. Whether it’s a pet, a person, or something in between. Each piece is hand-painted by Me :) - a UK pet portrait artist who genuinely loves what they do
Emma x
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