Commissioning your dog’s portrait
From quiet studio studies to statement wall pieces. Explore the collections below.
A Studio Portrait
Head, chest & expression
An intimate painting capturing spirit and character. (Up to 50 × 40cm)
From £980 ($1,300)
A Statement Canvas
Whole-body painterly composition
A stunning fine-art canvas showcasing your dog’s whole body with expressive brushwork and space to breathe. (Up to 80 × 60cm)
From £1,850 ($2,500)
One Dog, Three Spaces
A cohesive trio of original canvases
A cohesive trio of original canvases woven into the fabric of your home. Each painting explores your dog’s character: a focal piece for the living room, a warm greeting in the hall, and a quiet study for the bedroom - each piece connecting to one another
From £3,800 ($5,000)
It’s lovely to meet you.
Every dog has a unique story, personality, and spirit—and my favorite thing in the world is bringing that character to life in paint.
Because every dog and home is entirely unique, I craft each canvas around my subject rather than forcing art into rigid menu sizes. To guide your vision, I’ve laid out my work into three primary ideas: Studio Portraits, Statement Canvases & One Dog, Three Spaces
I look forward to hearing about your dog via one of the forms below. I will come back to you within 24hrs
Much love,
Sam x
1. STUDIO DOG PORTRAITS
It’s hard to talk about my dog paintings in generic terms without putting myself into a box—along with your painting! Many moons ago, I used to have rigid sizes and set prices. Now, I take on far fewer commissions so I can spend more time on every canvas, ensuring each piece is entirely distinct.
What I can say about my single dog paintings is this: they are typically sized anywhere from 20 × 20cm to 50 × 40cm, painted in oil on board or fine canvas. These pieces tend to focus closely on the face and chest rather than the full body, capturing that single, true expression.
Pricing: From £980 ($1,300)
Framing: Framing can be arranged for you. Many of my clients like me to oversee this step—I work with a wonderful local framer in Suffolk who knows my work inside out. Framing is billed separately, and I’m happy to provide quotes and options as your painting nears completion.
Delivery: UK delivery is included in the price. (Overseas shipping calculated upon enquiry).
Bespoke studio canvases from £980. Worldwide courier delivery available.
2. STATEMENT CANVASES
I had to think long and hard about what to call these pieces, but in the end, I used exactly what they are: larger, more painterly, statement canvases.
These paintings are scaled up (typically up to 80 × 60cm, though sometimes larger or smaller depending on the space) and encompass the full body of your dog.
Working on a grander scale gives the paint room to breathe, allowing for more freedom, bold mark-making, and dynamic composition.
The black Labrador here is a 60 × 80cm canvas capturing a hound mid-walk. It has an impact that simply isn't possible on a smaller surface.
Larger Painterly Canvases offer more scope for your dog’s character and spirit to come through, whilst also creating a striking focal point on your wall at home.
Pricing: From £1,850 ($2,500)
Framing can be arranged easily. Please see delivery details for overseas orders
Whole-body Bespoke Statement Canvases from £1,850. Worldwide courier delivery available.
3. One Dog, Three Spaces
Three original paintings to pepper through your home. A space that needs a Statement, a quiet corner that needs some love and attention, a hallway that needs a vibrant welcome home. I am excited to connect these paintings in tone, colour, energy and of course, your dog.
Our dogs live in our homes with us; they live all over our homes with us. Quiet nooks, in front of the fire, on the sofa, how many beds does your dog have? (I know that my Barney has at three)
Each painting is different, but connected.
Working from your collection of photographs and video clips, we can step through your dogs life in ages, moods, and energy - perhaps one painting playful, one sleeping, and the other calm.
Creating three beautiful paintings to work in three perfect spaces within your home
Pricing: From £3,800 ($5,000) per trio
The Process
Step 1:
Photographs, smart phone, old, fuzzy, all are welcome. Gather together your images & email me here
Step 2:
Together we book in your painting space. Simple line drawings are exchanged between us to make sure we have the best possible pose for your dog.
50% Deposit is paid here.
Step 3:
Painting begins. Communication is open throughout our process, we make decisions together when needed so there are no unwelcome surprises.
Step 4:
Our painting will be left to dry and settle in my studio for a time, before varnishing begins for extra protection. Packaging and Delivery is organised and your painting will soon be heading home to you.
The remaining 50% payment is paid before our painting leaves my studio.
Frequently Asked Questions
Below are some of the questions that I am most frequently asked about making a painting for you. Given that we communicate throughout the process, you never have any unwelcome surprises; you can always contact me at any time.
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I have a page here which talks about what I need, but in short - your snaps are absolutely fine to work from. Some clients send only 6-8, others 30+!
Please pop over to have a read.
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I like to give myself around 4-6 weeks to make our painting.
As a rough guideline, I make our suggested line drawings within the first two weeks, once we have our composition, painting normally takes a further 4 weeks.
The 4-6 week duration includes drawing, scaling, canvas preparation, painting, and some drying time. Your painting will leave my studio varnished for extra protection.
Occasionally, I can accommodate you if you need your painting faster. Please contact me to enquire at info@samanthabarnes.co.uk
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This is a lovely process. We are in contact with one another throughout the duration of making our painting, so that there are no surprises or big reveals at the end (that part is all yours to share with your loved ones or our painting’s giftee). I will never overload you, but keep you in the loop with decisions as they are made in whichever way works best for you. This is normally via email, more recently whatsapp, facetime or in-person studio visits. Mine is a much tried-and-much-tested process with over 30 years of experience working to commission. I can honestly say that our painting duration is a joyful one. I have lots of lovely testimonials from clients below, please do feel free to have a read.
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We can absolutely talk about this and our painting may well be better for putting your dogs together on one canvas - or, oftentimes they may be stronger for having a same-size canvas of their own but using a shared palette of colours to connect them.
Every painting commission is different and when making my line drawings of compositions, we discuss how best to bring your dogs to the canvas then.
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I’m all about your dog and much prefer my backgrounds to be simple single colour.
I have tried them in the past but never been truly happy.
Occasionally we can add in your dogs blanket or toy, but my paintings eyes are all about your dog(s).
It’s best we talk about this at the opening of our communication.
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I regularly make paintings for clients overseas.
The best, safest and most cost effective way to send our canvas painting rolled up and sent in thick tube. On receiving it, you simply pop into to your local framers, and they will place our painting over a frame stretchers or panel-mount for you.
I have a page about framing your rolled canvas here
Sending this way reduces potential damage in transit and costs around £60, instead of around £350 for sending it flat - (which can also be arranged for you if you wish.)
Postage within the UK is included in the price of your painting, and you will receive it ready to hang on the wall.
Postage overseas is £60 when sent in a tube.
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Portrait paintings make beautiful gifts. I tend not to gift vouchers, preferring to make the paintings with the purchaser - then gift the actual painting.
Best to email me for further details at info@samanthabarnes.co.uk
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As is the norm, as the artist, I get to keep the copyright of all art I create. You, of course, own the painting. I can and do make greeting cards, thank-you notelets, and postcards of your dog painting - either for you or me. We will chat about this during our painting process.
I love to use your painting (once you have approved it) to share on my social channels and add to my portfolio of paintings. Sometimes, these may be useful in the future for licensing, portfolio sales, or other reasons, but I will do my best to keep you informed along the way.
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I have a page here which talks about framing, it’s just under the Photography section and contains some studio ideas for you.
I’m happy to organise framing for you if you would like me to. I have a great local framers that I have worked with for years now.
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I don’t paint people portraits and do paint other animals occasionally.
If you have an idea for a painting you would like me to bring into being, please email me here to discuss it.
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I pride myself on having only happy clients! As we are in contact all the way through the painting stages, there are no surprises when you painting arrives home. A painting that I am not happy with will never leave my studio. Open communication and feedback is paramount throughout our process.
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Many of my painting commissions come from word-of-mouth, which I love. I am so grateful to those who pass on my details. If this is you, then a huge thank you ❤️.
I have a list of Trustpilot and Google Review testimonials below.