Updated for late 2025. Prices vary a lot, but you can usually predict the final number by looking at three things: size, how many pets, and how detailed the background/pose is.
Quick answer: common price bands
Most custom pet paintings sit in the $150 to $1,000+ range, with many hand-painted 11×14 portraits commonly falling around $250–$400 (depending on artist and style). Ultra-realistic, large canvases, multiple pets, and detailed backgrounds can push costs well beyond that.
| Band | What you usually get | Typical starting point | Common “price jump” triggers |
|---|---|---|---|
| Budget | Digital/AI-style portrait files or small print-style products | Under ~$150 | Physical shipping, framing, hand-painted traditional media |
| Mid-range | Hand-painted small/medium portrait (often head-and-shoulders), simple background | ~$150–$600 | More than one pet, full-body pose, higher realism |
| Premium | Larger pieces, higher realism, more revisions or more complex composition | ~$600–$2,000+ | Detailed background, multiple pets, “museum-level” materials/finishing |
| Luxury | Large-scale works, established artists, gallery reputation, long waitlists | $2,000+ | Very large size, complex scenes, well-known artist demand |
Real-world pricing by size (example commission chart)
The table below is a real published example from a U.S.-based artist’s pet oil painting commission pricing. It’s useful as a “what traditional commissions can cost” benchmark—especially as size and pet count increase.
| Canvas size | 1 pet | 2 pets | 3 pets | What this shows |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5×5 | $400 | — | — | Traditional commissions often scale quickly with size and number of subjects. |
| 8×10 | $717 | $928 | $1,133 | |
| 11×14 | $1,000 | $1,293 | $1,585 | |
| 16×20 | $1,454 | $1,855 | $2,276 | |
| 30×40 | $2,830 | $3,649 | $4,468 |
Note: This is one artist’s published price list, not an industry standard. But it illustrates the two biggest cost drivers: surface area and subject count.
What drives pet oil painting cost
| Cost driver | Why it increases price | How to control it |
|---|---|---|
| Size | More time, more materials, more detail areas to resolve | Pick the smallest size that still shows eyes/fur detail clearly (often 8×10 or larger for realism) |
| Number of pets | More faces, proportion matching, fur textures, and likeness checks | Consider separate portraits if you want maximum likeness per pet |
| Headshot vs. full-body | Full-body adds anatomy, pose accuracy, paws/tails, and more fur transitions | Choose “head & shoulders” unless the pose is the main point (e.g., a signature sit/stance) |
| Background complexity | Furniture, patterns, landscapes, or multiple props take significant time | Ask for a simple gradient or soft painterly background |
| Realism level | Photorealism requires tighter edges, more layers, and more correction passes | If budget is tight, choose “painterly realism” instead of ultra-photoreal |
| Framing & presentation | Frames, mounting, and protective packaging add cost | If you have a local framer you trust, consider unframed—but factor the framing cost separately |
| Rush timeline | Rush orders may require schedule changes and expedited handling | Order early; avoid holiday cutoffs if possible |
Estimate your cost in 60 seconds
Many artists price paintings using a simple formula (time + materials, or area-based pricing). Even if you’re not the artist, the formula helps you sanity-check quotes.
- Pick your size (e.g., 8×10, 11×14, 16×20).
- Decide: 1 pet or multiple pets.
- Choose headshot vs full-body.
- Choose background: simple vs detailed.
- Add framing/shipping if not included.
If an artist charges by square inch, an 8×10 painting has 80 sq in. If the effective rate is $8/sq in, that’s about $640 before add-ons.
Real quotes may differ, but area-based thinking explains why jumping from 8×10 to 16×20 can more than double the price.
Tip: Very small paintings can be surprisingly expensive per inch because tiny edges and fur detail can be harder, not easier.
How to keep the cost down without “going cheap”
| Do this | Instead of this | Why it works |
|---|---|---|
| Choose a head-and-shoulders composition | Full-body with paws + tail + pose | Less anatomy work; budget goes to facial likeness |
| Ask for a simple painterly background | Detailed room scene or patterned blanket | Background detail is a major time sink |
| Pick a size that matches viewing distance (often 8×10 or 11×14) | Oversizing “just because” | Larger size = more paint layers, more correction passes |
| Send 3–6 sharp photos in good light | One blurry indoor photo | Better reference reduces revision cycles and improves likeness |
| Be flexible on timeline | Rush order during peak holidays | Rush can trigger fees or limit artist options |
PetDecorArt price examples (from official pages)
If you want a made-to-order “oil painting look” with a clear, upfront starting price, PetDecorArt lists several pet oil painting formats. Below are current list prices and key options pulled from PetDecorArt’s official product pages.
| Option | Picture | Listed price | Sizes shown on page | What it is | Notable add-ons / notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Oil Paintings With Frames View product |
 |
$169.99 | 4×6, 5×7, 6×6, 6×8, 7×7, 8×8, 8×10, 8×12 | Hand-painted on glass; framed and display-ready | Page lists optional upgrades for full-body and additional pets (amounts vary by option). Also states you can receive a photo for confirmation before shipping. |
|
3D Oil Painting on Glass View product |
 |
$199.99 | 4×6, 5×7, 6×6, 6×8, 7×7, 8×8, 8×10, 8×12 | Hand-painted on glass with a 3D depth effect | Page lists: full-body add-on (+$40 per pet) and additional pets (+$99 per pet). Default is a single-pet headshot. |
|
Oil Painting Phone Case View product |
 |
$69.99 | Varies by phone model | Hand-painted pet portrait artwork on a phone case | Listed as hand-painted (not digital print); durable hard shell and scratch resistance are highlighted on the page. |
Browse the oil painting collection here: PetDecorArt • Oil Painting collection.
Timeline: how long custom oil paintings take
Custom art usually has two time buckets: creation time and shipping time. Some sellers also do a proof/approval step (you see a preview photo before it ships).
| Step | Typical range | What can slow it down |
|---|---|---|
| Reference photo review & confirmation | 1–3 business days (common) | Missing details (pose, background requests), low-res photos |
| Painting / crafting time | About 2–4 weeks is common for many custom pieces | Multiple pets, full-body, detailed background, peak holiday queue |
| Shipping & delivery | Depends on service level and location | Holiday carrier delays, international customs, weather disruptions |
If your painting is for a specific date (birthday, memorial, holiday), the safest approach is ordering early and keeping the background simple.
FAQ
How much does a pet oil painting usually cost in the U.S.?
Many hand-painted pet portraits fall between $150 and $1,000+, with common mid-size portraits often landing in the $250–$400 neighborhood depending on style and artist.
Why do two paintings the “same size” have very different prices?
Realism level, background detail, number of pets, framing, revision policy, and the artist’s experience can each change the time required— and time is usually the biggest cost.
Is oil more expensive than acrylic?
Often, yes—oil painting can require more layers and drying time. But pricing is still mostly about labor and demand.
Does adding a second pet double the cost?
Not always, but it can be a major jump. A second subject adds composition work and likeness checks; many artists price per subject or offer tiers.
Is a full-body portrait worth the extra cost?
It depends on your goal. If your pet’s signature pose is the point (like a “sploot,” a working stance, or a distinctive tail), full-body can be worth it. If likeness is the priority, a head-and-shoulders composition often gives more value.
What size should I choose for a wall portrait?
For many homes, 8×10 or 11×14 is a practical sweet spot: big enough for detail, still easy to frame, and typically cheaper than large formats.
What photos work best?
Sharp focus on the eyes, good lighting, and minimal motion blur. Send multiple options so the artist can choose the cleanest likeness.
Do artists send a preview before shipping?
Some do. It’s worth asking—especially if you’re ordering for a memorial or gifting moment.
How can I avoid surprise fees?
Ask upfront about: number of included revisions, background policy, framing costs, shipping/insurance, and whether taxes apply in your state.
Is a glass-based “oil painting look” the same as a canvas oil painting?
It’s a different presentation. Glass can look modern and vivid; canvas can feel more traditional. The “best” choice is the one that matches your display style.
Sources
The links below are provided for transparency and deeper reading. External links open in a new tab and use rel="nofollow".
- PetDecorArt Oil Painting collection (internal): https://petdecorart.com/collections/oil-painting
- PetDecorArt — Oil Paintings With Frames (internal): product page
- PetDecorArt — 3D Oil Painting on Glass (internal): product page
- PetDecorArt — Oil Painting Phone Case (internal): product page
- Brianna Leidy — published pet oil painting commission pricing (external): pricing chart
- Krystle Cole — overview of pet painting price ranges (external): price range discussion
- ArtConnect Magazine — common art pricing formulas (external): pricing formulas
- Katie Peña — factors that affect commission painting pricing (external): commission pricing factors
Disclaimer: This guide is for informational purposes only. Prices change over time and vary by artist, region, and complexity. Always confirm final pricing and timelines with the seller/artist before ordering.
