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Painting Pet Portraits as a profession • Blog

May 5, 2022

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Pet portraits are an artistic career option that could be worth exploring if you're artistically inclined and have a talent for the genre. Consider it as a side job to earn extra money or go full-time and see just what you can accomplish through it. There are plenty of people who will offer a good price for a beautiful pet painting With a bit of business acumen and artistic skills, you'll have the ability to find lots of customers who are in search of an artist who can paint their feathered, furry, finned, or scaled pet.

This article will provide information on beginning a career as a pet painter including some helpful tips for getting new clients.

What is an Pet Portrait Artist?

Pet portrait artists typically work as freelancers, often communicating directly with the pet parents who are commissioning the work or hiring out for commercial projects. Whatever the medium what is the primary skill that a portraitist for pets to have is the ability to produce high-quality artwork. Developing your own unique style or point of view can also be key to the success of your work, as there's a bit of competition in the art world.

Pet Painter Job Description and Tasks

Creating stunning pet paintings is obviously a big part of what you'll do as a professional pet portraitist however, it's not the only thing you'll be doing. Being a professional pet artist requires a few other essential skills and job requirements and all you'll need to manage as you build your company.

This includes:

  • Inbound marketingWord-of-mouth is a great way to get new clients However, you'll need be active in your marketing in order to attract new customers. Nowadays, this typically includes social media and digital marketing (more on that below) however, advertising in print in pet magazines as well as participating in relevant events can be useful, too.
  • time managementWhen you run your own company it is your responsibility to keep track of everything that needs to be completed. If you're a pet portrait photographer it is possible that you will need to handle multiple tasks simultaneously, and you'll want to get your work done by the promised deadline so that you can keep your customers pleased.
  • AdministrationAnother essential aspect to operating a solo business is handling all of the administrative tasks. For pet paintings, that will likely include contracts and payments, but fortunately that there are tools online which can make these things easy to do.

How to Become an Animal Portrait Painter

There are many options to start your career by becoming a portraitist for pets. It's up to you which path you pursue, but remember that much of the work will depend on experience because you're likely be hired on the basis of abilities rather than on your resume.

Get an Art Degree

A degree in art isn't required to become an artist of pet portraits However, it's not unwise to have. An education that is formal allows you to devote all or the majority of your time developing your skills as an artist while also exploring various media. This being said, a lot of professional artists do not go to the art institute and so don't let the inability to obtain an art degree stop you from working towards your goals.

Gain Experience Painting Pet Portraits

What is the best method to be a pet portrait artist? Start making pet portrait art. Make use of your pet as a muse, create pictures of your family members as well as relatives' pets or even use images of pets you can find on the internet to use as a reference. Whether paid or unpaid, every single pet portrait that you make can be made into a portfolio that you can present to potential customers.

If you want this to be a full-time job, take the time to diversify your skills and work with different mediums. As you expand the options you are able to offer you, the more opportunities for clients you'll be able to offer.

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Average Salary of a Pet Portrait Artist

What you will earn as a pet portraitist is dependent on the way you value your work and how much work you can do. Additionally, you will need to account for expenses, like art materials as well as shipping as well as hosting fees for your website.

How much will an animal portrait cost? Professional pet portraits can cost anything from $50 up to greater than $10,000, with established artists in the market to charge more on their artwork. It'll be up to you to determine the price of your work in a way that provides the best compensation for your time, your talents, and the materials you use, however in the end, your work will be worth the amount people will be willing to pay.

The best way to go about starting out is to set your prices moderately low, and then raise the price gradually as you become more established. Don't undersell yourself, but think about the fact that it can take some time before you reach that point at which you're able to charge hundreds (or many thousands) of dollars for pet portraits.

Where to Look for Pet Painting Jobs

The majority times, your work as an independent artist is spent sourcing new projects. This is a lot of work and time, however the Internet has made it much easier to connect with potential clients and showcase what you're able to do. Below are some tips to take as you establish the business that you want to start with your pet's portrait.

Create a Website

Having a website will add credibility to your business, and it will also function as a lead-generation tool. Be sure to include an "About" page as well as a contact page and plenty of examples of the work you've done. Also, you may want to outline a short overview of the different products you offer along with the price your charges for each.

The website you create doesn't need to be extravagant However, it needs to look professional. Check that your site's content is professional and well-written. You can also invest in a personalized logo that will help you create an identity for your brand that is consistent.

Create a Portfolio that is Strong

If you're a visual artist, your portfolio is your resume. And as noted above an image that is completed doesn't have to have been commissioned and paid to qualify for inclusion. More important is building an portfolio that shows your best artwork, and includes a paragraph or two of justification to go along with each image.

Establish a Social Media Presence

Don't underestimate the power of social media to find potential clients for your pet portraits. Just like your web pages the pages on your social media provide credibility to your work as an artist, and also to your business overall. It also has the benefit that it's a lot simpler to create those vital initial connections.

Select and select which social media platforms make the best sense for you depending on the audience you are targeting. Facebook along with Instagram are the most popular platforms on which artists concentrate their efforts on social media However, you could also try some luck with Pinterest, Twitter, and TikTok also.

Sell Your Work Online

Create an easy way for customers to buy your portraits by establishing a shop on the internet. Your site can be the ideal platform for doing this, along with e-commerce platforms such as Etsy and Society6. Certain platforms lend themselves more to commission work, while others can be useful for selling existing prints. In either case, it's recommended to diversify where you sell your art to ensure you make as many sales as feasible.

Join the conversation

Take a community-based approach to building your network through joining groups such as the Society of Animal Artists in addition to getting active within relevant social media communities. You'll be able to swap ideas with fellow artists, and you'll let yourself in to possibilities you may not find otherwise.

Volunteer Your Talents

Get in touch with animal rescue and welfare organizations around your community to find out what they need for your services. There's a chance that you can sell a piece of work for a rescue fundraiser, paint a portrait to help the long-time resident of an animal to find a place of refuge or even create custom artwork to the group itself. All of these are ways to give back and use your abilities for the greater good, and as a bonus, they'll lead to greater awareness for the value of your work.

What's Your Pet Artistic Style?

The most effective way to achieve this: Practice what you know, try on what you're not able to do try, and tackle fresh challenges when they pop out. As time passes, you'll figure out what your unique perspective is, and increase your confidence that you can make a an income from making portraits of your pets.

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