How do I get a custom watercolor cat portrait made from my photo?
Pick your size and frame color, add it to cart, and upload one photo of your cat on this page. We turn that photo into watercolor artwork and email you a digital preview within 1–2 business days. Nothing is printed until you tell us it looks like them.
What kind of cat photo works best for a watercolor portrait?
A daylight shot taken at your cat's eye level, with their whole face and chest in frame. Phone photos are fine — lighting and angle matter far more than resolution. Black cats and very fluffy cats both work well, but they need light on the face, otherwise the features disappear into the coat. Avoid overhead shots and heavy filters. If your photo won't work, we'll email you before anything is printed.
Is this a hand-painted cat portrait or a print?
Printed. Your photo is turned into watercolor artwork, then UV-printed directly onto the poplar wood panel. The matte panel finish is what makes it read as paint on paper rather than a photo. If you want a portrait an artist actually paints by hand, see our hand-painted pet portraits, which start at $69.
Should I choose the natural wood frame or the black frame?
Natural light wood is the softer pairing — it picks up the warm tones in the watercolor and suits neutral, wood-heavy or Scandi-style rooms. Black is the sharper one: it frames the white space like a gallery mount and holds up better on a dark or busy wall. Both are solid wood, both ship with hanging hardware installed, and both cost the same.
What size cat portrait should I choose?
7" × 7" suits a shelf, desk or a gallery-wall cluster. 8" × 12" is the safe gift size and fits most narrow walls. 12" × 12" holds its own above a console or a bed. 16" × 20" is the statement piece — hang it where it's the first thing you see walking into the room.
Does the cat portrait come framed and ready to hang?
Yes. Every size ships in a solid wood frame — natural or black, your choice — with hanging hardware already installed on the back. Take it out of the box and put it on the wall.
Can you make a watercolor portrait of a cat who has passed away?
Yes, and we're asked often. Any photo you have works, even an older or slightly imperfect one. Watercolor is forgiving with soft or grainy photos, which is part of why people choose this style for a cat they've lost. Send us your favorite and we'll tell you honestly whether it will hold up at the size you want, before anything is printed.
Can you put two cats in the same portrait?
Message us before ordering with the photos you have. Multi-cat portraits depend entirely on the photos, and we'll confirm what's possible and what it costs first.
How long until my cat portrait arrives?
Roughly 1–3 weeks door to door: 1–2 business days for your preview, 3–5 business days to print and frame once you approve, then 5–15 business days in transit. If you need it for a specific date, message us before ordering.
How is the watercolor style different from your other cat portraits?
Watercolor is the softest option we make — lots of white space, loose edges, nothing costumed. If you want something richer and darker, the oil-style portrait uses visible brushwork on a fuller background. We also do vintage tweed, royal robes and witch versions on the same wood panel. For dogs, start with the dog portrait on wood.
What if it arrives damaged?
Because each portrait is made to order, we don't accept returns for change of mind, but we'll gladly replace your order if it arrives damaged or has a quality issue.
