Signature Animal Portraiture

A timeless tribute in oil. Expressive, personal, and full of life.

Alison’s signature portraits capture far more than just a likeness. Working in a looser, more expressive style with a blank or neutral background, she focusses entirely on the subject’s character - their quirks, presence, and the bond they share with you. While Alison has traditionally spent time with each animal she paints, she understands that isn’t always possible, especially when distance or loss make it difficult. In response to growing requests, she’s now offering a way to create meaningful, heartfelt portraits using your own photos and descriptions as reference.

By working from carefully chosen customer images and simplifying the background, Alison can offer these portraits at a more accessible price point - without compromising the quality, soul, or integrity of the finished piece. To help her bring your companion to life on canvas, Alison encourages you to share multiple photos, short videos if you have them, and a few words about your animal’s personality, habits, or little mannerisms. This isn’t a mechanical copy of a snapshot, it’s a considered, intuitive painting. A painting that honours your companion in Alison’s distinctive style.

Portrait pricing

30cm x 20cm, oil on canvas board - £750

40cm x 30cm, oil on canvas board - £1250

Framing quoted separately if required

Terms - 50% non-returnable deposit with order, balance on completion

For larger or more complex subjects, please visit Commissions

Leadtime

Alison will advise an estimated delivery date before you confirm your order and place your deposit. If your portrait is required for an event, please let us know at the earliest opportunity. At most times, Alison has a waiting list for commission work and approximately two weeks drying time is required - please allow for this when thinking about timescale.

“Beautiful original paintings and prints, Alison is an incredibly talented artist, will definitely be purchasing again!”

Tim - Google review

Need help? Contact us at any time

Ordering your portrait

Step 1 - Gather your materials

Have a think about the pose you would like for your portrait. Gather this and other photographs (and videos if you have any) that show the animal’s character and mannerisms. If you’re not sure which pose you want, Alison can make suggestions. Finally, please write a few words about your animal to help Alison build a picture of them and their relationship with you - we’re happy to do this bit via a phone chat if preferred.

Step 2 - Contact us

Hop over to our contact us page and send us an email, WhatsApp, or Messenger, including your materials above and the size you would like. If your photos and/or videos are too large, please send via www.wetransfer.com to our email address studio@alisonbradley.gallery

Step 3 - Alison reviews materials

Alison will check over your photos to make sure she can work from them - please see “What makes a good photo?”. If everything’s ok, she will advise an estimated delivery date and send an e-invoice for the deposit.

Step 4 - Order confirmation

On receipt of your deposit, you will be confirmed in Alison’s waiting list.

Step 5 - Painting!

It’s time for the exciting bit - Alison paints your portrait. Once it is finished, we’ll let you know and send an e-invoice for the balance. Drying takes approximately two weeks, after which a coat of varnish is applied, and it’s ready to go to its new home.

Step 6 - Prints

Please note that copyright is strictly the property of the artist. If you would like prints, greetings cards, or mugs of your portrait please let us know, and this can be arranged.

Alison painting English Springer Spaniel, alongside the original photograph of Dilys sitting on Jon’s knee

What makes a good photo?

The best photos for painting from are clear, sharp, and well lit, capturing the characteristic or mannerism you want to feature in your portrait. The higher the resolution the better, as this will allow Alison to zoom in to details.

Here are a few of Alison’s tips… With smaller dogs, try getting down to their level so you’re not looking down on them. For a full body portrait, take the photo from a distance to avoid the foreshortening effect. On bright days avoid having patchy shadows across the animal.

The slideshow below shows a selection of good and not so good photos to give you some ideas, but if you’re not sure about your photos send them anyway and we’ll be happy to advise.