If you think a carefully hand-drawn pet portrait would be perfect for you or an animal lover in your life, then I would love to have you get in touch! Please send me an email (at grace@overdale.me or grace.liu@btinternet.com) or private message via Facebook, Instagram or LinkedIn with the following:
- The photo(s) you would like me to draw. This will need to be copyright free – I can check it online for copyright before I print it. Also, remember that I will be using the photo as my guide, so please make sure it is of clear quality and that it accurately depicts what you want me to draw – I cannot make any major changes without potentially compromising on accuracy and quality
- The address you would like me to send the portrait to
- What size you would like (A3, A4, A5 or A6)
- Whether you want a full background, single colour background or no background
You will have the option of paying the full price before I start, or a 50% deposit followed by the remaining 50% once you have received your portrait. If I change any of the below prices, I won’t go back on any prices I have already agreed on with someone. Note that the prices include postage unless you are outside the UK.
My guarantee? If you are not happy with the finished product, just return the original to me and I will do one more drawing at no additional cost!
Please see below for the following:
- Prices
- Examples of recent commissions
- Gift items
- Testimonials
- FAQs
Prices
A3 sheet: £85 with background included/£74 with single colour background/£70 w/o background A4 sheet: £70/£62/£58
A5 sheet: £55/£50/£44
A6 sheet: £40/£35/£28
If you would like a montage of smaller pictures on one sheet, I can do that too! When you send me the photos, just let me know what size you want them (A4, A5, A6 or iPhone photo size), what size sheet you want them on (A3, A4, A5 or A6) and what sort of background, and I will calculate a price for you.
Examples of recent commissions:
Here are some examples of my work. For more, please visit Grace Liu Pet Portraits on Facebook or Instagram. Please note that these are all copyrighted.
Fizz
Meet Fizz! I did these drawings – now in separate frames – as Christmas presents (2025) for my parents, and sister and sister-in-law. My parents adopted Fizz in late spring/early summer 2025, but unfortunately one of our existing cats Dixie could not get along with her and refused to come indoors for weeks. Thankfully, my sister and sister-in-law were able to take her on alongside their cat Elvis. Although she can be shy with crowds, she is the most ridiculously affectionate cat any of us has ever met, and loves nothing more than trying to shove her face into your mouth while drooling copiously!
Size: A5 individually, A4 on the same sheet
Background: none
Connie and Nicky
This is a picture of Connie and Nicky (left to right), both of whom I have drawn before for a dear friend of mine! Both were adopted and given a well deserved second chance at life. This is a rather bittersweet commission, as Nicky had just had to be put to sleep when it was sent to me. Then, very tragically, one of his human family members also died. This person was my main choir buddy, a loyal supporter of my work and an all round good friend, and I continue to hold the family in my thoughts every day. From what I can gather, it sounds like Connie has been giving her remaining family members some much needed cuddles.
Size: A4
Background: full
Connie
This is Connie, who belongs to some good friends of mine and was adopted in February 2024. She is also the adopted sibling of Nicky, who I drew earlier this year. I remember being told when she was new that she gives the best cuddles and can be a bit territorial when it comes to food! This drawing was a Christmas 2024 commission.
Size: A6
Background: single colour
Aimee and Libby
Meet Aimee and Libby, two Greyhounds who were rescued from the meat trade. They bonded with each other at the rescue centre and so had to be rehomed together. They are now living their best life and are very clever and full of energy. I’m told it was a struggle to get a photo of them both sitting still!
Size: A5
Background: full
Mabel and Albie
Meet Mabel and Albie, both rescue dogs from the Many Tears charity. Mabel (in the background) is a Cavachon (Cavalier/Bichon cross). She was found very malnourished, neglected and unkempt. Albie the Cockapoo (in the foreground) was rescued in a similar condition several months later, after the death of Mabel’s companion Archie. With much love and proper care, they are now thriving. I’m told they are affectionate, gentle and very forgiving of humans.
Size: A5
Background: full
Nicky
This is Nicky, commissioned by a good friend and loyal supporter of my work. He is 13 years old, having been adopted from Dogs Trust, and is described as being a super friendly licky dog who just wants to be friends with everyone. His favourite things are tuna, ripping toys apart and barking at the postman – all wholesome things for a dog!
Size: A6
Background: single colour
Pet Portrait Gift Items Now Available!
How could YOU share your newly-drawn personalized pet portrait with your loved ones?
When you invest in a drawing from Grace Liu Pet Portraits, you now have the option to buy a matching gift item to go with it, personalized just for you! Now you can choose any of the below items to display your portrait of your much-loved pet and give to your closest friends and family:
- Greetings card
- Mug
- Coaster
- Keyring
- Full-colour prints
And that’s not all. If you are hoping to buy multiple items to give to the people who love your pet as much as you do…buy any four items (not counting the original portrait itself) and get the cheapest FREE!
Please note: no two items will come out exactly the same. The photos below are for display only.
Greetings card
Prices: £2.65 with full background, £2.45 with single colour background, £2.25 with no background. Dimensions: A6 folded size (approx. 10.5 x 14.8cm/4.1 x 5.8in). Material/s: Plain card. Additional info: A6 envelope included. Portrait or landscape orientation. Optional calligraphy message on the front in colour of your choice. Inside left blank. Grace Liu Pet Portraits calligraphy logo on the back.
Mug
Prices: £10.99 with full background, £10.69 with single colour background, £10.19 with no background. Dimensions: W: 8cm (3.2in), H: 9.5cm (3.7in). Approx. 11oz with 330ml (11.6 fl oz) capacity. Material/s: Ceramic. Additional info: Image on right-hand side, calligraphy message in colour of your choice on left-hand side (please say if you would like this order reversed). Dishwasher safe. Microwave safe.
Coaster
Prices: £5.29 with full background, £4.99 with single colour background, £4.69 with no background. Dimensions: approx. 9cm (3.5in) squared, with rounded corners. Material/s: DMF hardboard with gloss finish. Additional info: Hand wash only.
Keyring
Prices: £5.19 with full background, £5.09 with single colour background, £4.99 with single colour background. Dimensions: approx. 3.5 x 4.5cm (1.4 x 1.8in). Material/s: acrylic. Additional info: Same design on both sides – please specify if you would prefer otherwise.
Prices:
- A3: £12.99 with full background, £12.50 with single colour background, £12.25 with no background
- A4: £9.98/£9.38/£8.78 with no background
- A5: £7.38/£6.93/£6.48
- A6: £5.40/£5.10/£4.80
- Dimensions (approx.):
- A3: 29.7 x 42cm (11.7 x 16.5in)
- A4: 21 x 29.7cm (8.3 x 11.7in)
- A5: 14.8 x 21cm (5.8 x 8.3in)
- A6: 10.5 x 14.8cm (4.1in x 5.8in)
- Material/s: gloss photo paper
Testimonials
“Grace has not only produced a magnificent piece of art work with incredible detail and perspective, but has managed to perfectly capture the essence of our cats, Fred and Rosie – the portraits convey their characters and are not just a perfect replica of how they actually look. We are totally bowled over by them.“
“Even better in real life than the photograph!”
“It really captures [my cat’s] personality! The way [Grace has] drawn her fur and markings is excellent.”
“The detail in person is fantastic. Looks exactly like the photos.”
FAQs
What sort of paper do you use? Daler Rowney Smooth 220 gsm A4 Heavyweight Drawing Paper Pad, Acid Free.
What materials do you use? I do the initial drawing using a 2B-4B pencil, then go over the outlines in black ballpoint pen (Uniball Eye, Micro, Waterproof/Fade-proof). Once the outlines are dry, I colour the drawing using Derwent Lightfast Oil-based Coloured Pencils. There are more than 70 colours to choose from!
Can you draw any animal? Yes – you name it and I’ll draw it! I am particularly experienced in drawing cats and dogs, but have also drawn rabbits, budgies, degus, a squirrel and a tortoise – and am open to drawing any other animal you may wish to send me a photo of!
Why do people want a portrait of their pet? There are several possible reasons why a pet portrait might be a perfect buying choice for you. You may want to give one to a friend or family member as a birthday or Christmas present. Perhaps you would like a portrait to honour an important milestone, be it your pet’s recent arrival, their first birthday or their 10th. Or maybe you – or someone you know – have recently lost a beloved pet and would like to have a portrait of them in their memory.
Remember, though, you don’t need a specific reason or occasion for a pet portrait. If you would like to honour a special animal in your life with a carefully drawn portrait, then why wait? Just send me the picture you would like me to draw, along with your chosen size (A3, A4, A5 or A6), background option (full, single colour or none) and the name of your pet, and I will get started as soon as I can!
How best should I send you the image I want you to draw? You can send it to me digitally via my email address, a private message to any of my social media accounts or a text/WhatsApp message if you already have my number. The image should be as clear as possible to ensure I can include as much detail as possible. Please specify whether you want a full background, single colour background or no background.
If you wish to post me a printed photo, please send me an email or private message asking for my address. Again, it will need to be clear with good colour quality, and should be the size you want the drawing to be. Ideally it will need to be unbent and free from tears or stains. You may want to send it in a plastic wallet to keep it waterproof.
Regardless of whether the photo is printed or digital, it has to belong to you or the person you will be giving the portrait to. I cannot risk recreating a picture if I don’t know for sure it is completely copyright free.
How long will my pet portrait take? This depends on the size and complexity of the picture, as well as how busy I am (though please note I will make your commission as much of a priority in my life as possible!). If I am not currently working on another commission, expect roughly 3-4 weeks (bigger and/or more detailed drawings may take longer), plus a few days’ postage time. If I am currently working on another commission, I will tell you roughly when I expect to be able to start yours. I will let you know when I am finished and will get it to the post office ASAP, most likely the following Saturday, but sooner if possible. Please let me know once you have received it.
How do you go about creating my portrait? The first step is for you to choose the image you want me to draw, decide which size you want (A3, A4, A5 or A6) and whether you want a full background, single colour background or no background. Once you have decided which size and background options are best for you, I will print the image and start drawing. I also like to ask for your pet’s name so I can include it in the picture. You may want to tell me your pet’s breed (if any) and something about their history or personality – I like to get a personal feel for the animal I’m drawing, though this is by no means essential.
I will draw the initial outline in 2B-4B pencil, then go over it in black ballpoint pen (Uniball Eye, Micro, Waterproof/Fade-proof) and start colouring in once it is dry. I will send you a photo of the finished drawing before I package it and take it to the post office.
Will it look like my pet? Yes. I will work hard to ensure that the likeness is as close as possible. With over 70 colour pencils to choose from, there are endless shades and mixes I can create, and I can assure you I will keep experimenting with colours until I have found the right ones for your pet.
Can you make any changes to the picture? That depends on what sort of change you are asking for. If you are just asking for a very minor change, e.g. omitting a small detail, like a reflection or a small object, then yes, I can do that.
However, please remember that the photo you send me is what I will be attempting to recreate. Therefore I cannot make any major changes, such as changing the colour or position of an animal or object, or drawing something that isn’t there. The photo is my only guide; therefore I would struggle to make any of the above changes accurately.
What do I do about payment? Before I start your drawing, I will send you my bank details so you can send me a 50% deposit (note: this is non-refundable). You are welcome to either pay the full price at this stage or send me the remaining 50% once you have received the drawing. If online payment is not possible for whatever reason, please let me know ASAP so we can figure out an alternative option.
My pet portraits take up a lot of time, effort and materials, and are hand drawn with a lot of love and care. Therefore, I ask that you please pay the agreed amount by the agreed time.
How will my drawing be packaged? I will wrap it carefully in coloured tissue paper and put it in a plastic wallet to keep it waterproof. I will then post it in a hard-backed envelope for maximum security to stop it from getting bent.
Can you ship your pet portraits outside the UK? Yes, I am open to commissions from any country. However, please be aware that shipping may take longer to countries outside the UK, and the time it takes will vary depending on the country. Postage will not be included in the commission price, as posting to countries outside the UK is likely to be more expensive.
Will you be sharing my pet portrait online? Yes, as long as you are ok with that. Once I know you have received your drawing, I will share it on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and my website. However, please say if you would rather I didn’t do this.
Is Grace Liu Pet Portraits the right option for me? That depends on what sort of portrait you are hoping for. My pet portraits are done in sketching pencil, ballpoint pen and lightfast coloured pencils on A3, A4, A5 or A6 size paper. If you are hoping for a painting or pastel drawing of your pet, or you would like your portrait to be bigger than A3, then Grace Liu Pet Portraits may not be the best choice for you.
What you will get if you choose to commission me is three sizes to choose from, your say in what sort of background to include (if any) and even the option to have multiple smaller drawings on one sheet. Therefore, if you would like a detailed, coloured drawing where you have a say in the main variables and do not need it to be bigger than A3, then this could well be the perfect buying choice for you.
Artistic Autistic Grace 