Inside Christine's studio

1. 1

   The photos

   Bring your pet to the studio for a photo shoot. It takes about 45 to 60 minutes (longer for bigger groups), and Christine has ways of photographing even the most difficult pets. She can sometimes come to your home or stable instead.

   Already have photos? Send them in, but read the photo tips first.

   

2. 2

   Choosing the pose

   Together you pick your favourite photo. Christine's experience means she can advise on the best pose and layout for the painting.

   For a full-body portrait she can change the background to your garden or another memorable place, and add toys, trophies or rosettes to make it personal.

   

   
3. 3

   Layers of paint

   Christine builds the portrait up in layers of fine water-based paint until it's finished, working from your photo.

   Head portraits usually have a pale wash of colour behind the head.

   

4. 4

   It's all in the eyes

   Christine is known for capturing the very character of each animal, so your pet looks as if it could jump out of the picture.

   Your portrait is then mounted or framed, and sent to you or collected. Her work has been sent all over the world.

   

About Christine

Painting animals since 1987

Originally from the Cotswolds, Christine painted the pretty Cotswold villages while studying graphic design at Coventry University, and sold them through local galleries. In the 1980s prints of her pencil illustrations and watercolours sold nationwide in their thousands.

She has worked as a pet and animal portrait artist since 1987, and her work has been sent all over the world. A great lover of all animals, she understands how much the bond between an owner and their pet matters.

Studied

BA (Hons) Graphic Design, Coventry University

Exhibits

Crufts and the major horse trials

Worked with

Central TV, Vanish, Tesco, Red Letter Days, Daily Express, Daily Mail, Dogs Trust, the Kennel Club and the Brooke

Gifts

WaggyDogz cards and gifts, launched at Crufts 2013

from the family album, some years ago…

• Guide Dogs

  Since 2018, WaggyDogz cards with Christine's illustrations have raised money for Guide Dogs, aiming to support a guide dog puppy through its training.

• Dogs Trust

  WaggyDogz cards raised money for Dogs Trust from 2013 to 2017.

• The Brooke

  A portrait commission raffled at the Horse of the Year Show raises over a thousand pounds each year for working horses, donkeys and mules.

• Bark & Read

  Pet portrait competitions with the Kennel Club, including one at Crufts 2023, raise money for the Bark & Read Foundation, which helps children learn to read with dogs.