What to Look for When Hiring an Artist: A Buyer’s Guide

Hiring an artist is a big deal—for your heart, not just your wallet. Whether you’re celebrating a pet who’s still curled up at your feet or memorializing one you’ve had to say goodbye to, a custom pet art piece is deeply personal. You want it to feel right. You want it to actually look like your pet. And you want the experience to feel easy, not stressful.

With so many artists and online shops offering “custom art pieces,” it can be hard to know who to trust. This guide walks you through exactly what to look for when hiring an artist, so you can feel confident you’re making the right choice.

Start With the Portfolio—and Look for Consistency

The first thing most people do (and should do) is check the artist’s portfolio. But here’s the trick: don’t just focus on the best piece—look at everything.

A strong painting portfolio should show:

• Multiple completed pieces of work
  
• Different breeds, colors, and fur types
  
• A consistent look and quality across all artwork
  

Consistency matters because it shows the artist can deliver great results again and again—not just once.

🚩 Red flag: A portfolio with only a few examples, or portraits that all look wildly different in style or quality.

Make Sure the Artist Has a Clear, Defined Style

Portrait artists usually work in a specific style, such as realistic, semi-realistic, painterly, minimalist, or digital illustration. None of these are “better” than the others—it’s all about what you love.

What matters most is that the artist clearly shows their style and sticks to it. You should be able to look at their work and think, Yes, that’s exactly what I want.

Be a little cautious if an artist says they can work in “any style you want.” Most artists do their best work when they stay within a style they truly know well.

Look for Experience Specifically With Pets

Painting animals is very different from painting people or landscapes. A good artist understands how to capture fur texture, eye expression, posture, and those little details that make your pet your pet.

This is especially important if your pet has:

• Black or white fur
  
• Long or fluffy hair
  
• Unique markings
  
• Senior features or expressive eyes
  

Even very talented artists can struggle with animal paintings if they don’t have specific experience with animals.

Read Reviews From Real Pet Owners

Reviews are incredibly helpful because they show what it’s actually like to work with the artist. Look for testimonials from real pet owners that mention specific details.

Great reviews often talk about:

• How accurate the likeness is
  
• How emotional the final portrait felt
  
• How easy the communication was
  
• How meaningful the portrait was, especially for memorials
  

You’ll notice a pattern: when people are unhappy, it’s usually because expectations weren’t clear—not because they didn’t want an art piece in the first place.

🚩 Red flag: No reviews at all, or reviews that all sound generic and vague.

Understand the Artist’s Process Before You Order

A professional artist should explain their process clearly, before you commit to anything. This helps you feel comfortable and avoids surprises later.

You should be able to find clear answers to questions like:

• What kind of photo do you need to provide?
  
• How does the artist use that photo?
  
• Will you see a preview or proof?
  
• How long does the portrait usually take?
  

Clear communication upfront is one of the biggest signs you’re working with a professional.

Ask About Revisions and Approval Policies

One of the biggest worries pet owners have is: What if it doesn’t look like my pet?
That’s completely normal—and a good artist plans for this.

Most professional artists offer:

• At least one round of revisions
  
• Clear guidelines on what can be adjusted
  
• Revisions before the artwork is finalized
  

For example, small changes to expression or markings are usually reasonable, while changing the entire pose or style is not.

🚩 Red flag: No preview and a strict “no revisions” policy.

Know the Medium and Materials Being Used

Before ordering, it’s important to understand what you’re actually receiving. Is the portrait hand-painted or digital? Is it an original or a print?

Helpful details to look for include:

• Type of paint (oil, acrylic, watercolor)
  
• Canvas, paper, or archival print
  
• Whether the artwork is an original piece
  
• Any sealing, varnishing, or framing options
  

Knowing these details helps explain pricing and ensures there are no surprises when your portrait arrives.

Be Careful With Prices That Seem Too Cheap

Art can vary in price, but extremely low prices are often a warning sign. Creating a quality custom portrait takes time, skill, and attention to detail.

Very cheap “custom” art may involve:

• AI-generated artwork
  
• Heavy photo filters or tracing
  
• Outsourced or mass-produced work
  
• Little to no revision support
  

A higher price doesn’t always guarantee quality—but consistently low prices are often linked to disappointing results.

Understand Usage and Ownership Rights

This is especially important for digital art. Before ordering, make sure you understand how you’re allowed to use the artwork.

Good questions to check:

• Can you print it yourself?
  
• Can you share it online?
  
• Is it for personal use only?
  

Professional artists explain usage rights clearly so there’s no confusion later.

Watch Out for Common Scams

Unfortunately, not every seller online is legitimate. Some common issues buyers report include:

• Portfolio images that don’t match the final artwork
  
• AI-generated “custom” portraits
  
• Stock images reused across multiple shops
  
• No clear information about who the artist actually is
  

A trustworthy artist is open about their identity, their process, and what you’ll receive. See why these paintings are worth every penny.

Look for Emotional Sensitivity—Especially for Memorial Portraits

If you’re commissioning a memorial portrait, emotional sensitivity really matters. This is more than just a transaction—it’s about honoring a relationship.

Thoughtful artists:

• Acknowledge your loss respectfully
  
• Communicate with patience and care
  
• Avoid pushy or aggressive sales language
  

The experience should feel supportive, not rushed.

Final Thoughts

A custom art piece should feel comforting, meaningful, and true to your pet—not stressful or uncertain. By choosing an artist with a consistent portfolio, pet-specific experience, clear communication, and a respectful process, you give yourself the best chance of ending up with something you’ll truly treasure.

If you’re comparing artists right now, use this guide as a checklist—and trust the one who makes you feel most confident, understood, and at ease. That feeling usually tells you you’re in good hands.