Christine VarleyPet portraits in watercolour

come and visit…

Pet portraits in Herefordshire

Christine paints dogs, cats and horses in watercolour at her garden studio in the village of Weobley, about 11 miles north-west of Hereford. Visit by appointment, have your pet photographed for its portrait, or meet her at a show or market around the county.

Start your commissionSee prices

Further away? Portraits are posted all over the UK, and unframed abroad.

Christine's studio: wooden beams and a skylight, a pale blue desk, framed portraits on the walls and a sign reading Animal and Pet Portraits
the studio, Weobley
Three dogs resting on cushions by the wood burner in the studio
the studio dogs

Visit the studio

Every portrait is painted by hand in Christine's garden studio in Weobley, surrounded by her dogs. You're welcome to visit by appointment, to see her work and talk through your portrait: send Christine a message or give her a ring first.

Photo shoots

No good photos of your pet? Bring them to the studio. A photo shoot lasts about 45 to 60 minutes, longer for bigger groups, and Christine has ways of photographing even the most difficult pets. Together you choose the favourite for the portrait. It's sometimes possible for her to visit your home or stable instead; please ask.

more about photo shoots →
Christine crouching on a lawn with a camera, photographing a border collie as someone holds it still
a photo shoot in the garden
Christine Varley Studio
Hawthorn Villa
Kington Road
Weobley, Herefordshire
HR4 8QS

about 11 miles north-west of Hereford. By appointment.

07790 726719

From the studio

Pets who came to Weobley for their photos, and a portrait collected from the studio, beside the photos they were painted from.

  1. Photo of the same husky, taken at the studio
    the photo she used
    Watercolour portrait of a husky with one blue eye and one brown eye, on a soft grey-blue wash

    photographed at the studio

    Husky

    Christine photographed this beautiful Husky at the studio. In the painting she took care to show the crisp, clean lines of the fur and the bright eyes, one blue and one brown.

  2. Photo of the other Patterdale Terrier, with a wiry coat, against a purple door
    photographed one…
    Photo of one of the black Patterdale Terriers, with a red collar, against a purple door
    …at a time
    Watercolour portrait of Lilly and Jodie, two black Patterdale Terriers, side by side

    photographed at the studio, one at a time

    Lilly & Jodie

    After winning the Crufts Kennel Club Portrait Competition, Janet brought her two Patterdale Terriers to the studio to be photographed. Lilly, 6 months, and Jodie, 4 years, are the best of friends. To get the best expressions, Christine photographed them one at a time, and together they chose the best for the portrait.

    “It's like they will jump out of the picture, you have their characters perfectly.”

    Janet
    watch it being painted →
  3. Photo of the grey horse looking over a fence
    Photo of the chestnut horse in a field
    Photo of the dark bay horse in a field
    Watercolour portrait of three horses' heads: a grey, a chestnut and a dark bay

    collected from the studio

    Three horses

    Christine went to Stratford on one of her photo-shoot trips to photograph these three horses for a surprise birthday present. She drew an outline sketch of the layout so the client could check it before painting began. It was painted at the Large size and collected from the studio.

Finished, framed portraits of dogs hung together under a sign reading Portraits by Christine Varley
portraits on the stand

Meet Christine locally

Through the autumn and the run-up to Christmas, Christine exhibits at local events in and around Herefordshire. Come and see the portraits in person, and bring your own photos to talk through your order.

  • Kington Show
  • Eardisland Craft Fair
  • Pembridge Christmas Fayre
  • Ross Christmas Street Fayre
  • Winter Festival, Royal Welsh Showground
  • Hereford Christmas Market
  • Gloucester Quays
  • Tinsel Tuesday, Ludlow
  • Leominster Victorian Market
  • Hereford Market
this season's dates →

Wherever you live

You don't have to live nearby. Send your photos with your message, and Christine will reply by email. Finished portraits are sent by Royal Mail guaranteed next-day delivery or by courier, or collect yours from the studio or at a show. Orders outside the UK are sent unframed only. Get in touch for international postage.

UK postage. All prices include VAT.
SizeUnframedFramed
Small£8£12
Standard£12£15
Medium£15£15
Large£15£20

Questions

Where is Christine's studio?

In Weobley, Herefordshire, about 11 miles north-west of Hereford: Christine Varley Studio, Hawthorn Villa, Kington Road, Weobley HR4 8QS.

Can I visit the studio?

Yes, by appointment. Send Christine a message or ring 07790 726719 first. Come and talk through your portrait, or book a photo shoot for your pet.

Where can I meet Christine locally?

Through the autumn and the run-up to Christmas she exhibits at local events in and around Herefordshire, such as Kington Show, Eardisland Craft Fair, Pembridge Christmas Fayre, Ross Christmas Street Fayre, Winter Festival, Royal Welsh Showground, Hereford Christmas Market, Gloucester Quays, Tinsel Tuesday, Ludlow, Leominster Victorian Market and Hereford Market. See shows and events for this season's dates.

Do I need to live nearby?

No. Send your photos with your message, wherever you are. Portraits are sent by Royal Mail guaranteed next-day delivery or by courier, or you can collect yours from the studio. Orders outside the UK are sent unframed only. Get in touch for international postage.

More answers in How to order.

Start your portrait

Call Christine, send her a message with a few photos, or arrange a visit to the studio.

Start your commissionSee prices

Or call Christine on 07790 726719, or send her a message.