Custom Hand-Painted Pet Portraits from Your Photo

A favorite expression, posture, and set of markings are translated into a one-of-one Eastern ink portrait on paper.

Custom hand-painted Eastern ink portrait of a small dog beside bamboo

What it is

A physical original built around likeness.

Sumipaw uses your reference photo to preserve the eyes, markings, expression, and posture that make your pet recognizable. Ink, light color, and open paper give the finished portrait a calm, brush-and-wash character.

Finished custom portraits

Finished custom portrait of a black cat seated on a wooden chair — Black cat on a chair

Finished custom portrait of two cats beside an ink-wash landscape — Two cats in one portrait

Custom cat portrait within an Eastern ink-wash mountain scene — Cat within a landscape composition

What we customize

Likeness

Eyes and expression
Coat markings and color

Pose

Natural posture
One pet or a shared composition

Atmosphere

Quiet open paper
Optional plants or landscape cues

Paper

Artist-selected ink paper
Matched to fur and wash control

Price summary

Classic from $139. Large from $399. Rush Classic from $199.

Classic includes one pet and U.S. shipping. An added pet in the same Classic portrait is +$60. Rush Classic includes the $60 Rush fee.

See Full Pricing Check Commission Status

Photo requirements

Choose the photo that feels most like them.

A studio photo is not required. A clear everyday photo is often the better reference when it carries the right expression.

Helpful

Clear face and markings

Eyes visible and in focus
Ears and important markings not cropped
Natural light when possible

Avoid

Missing visual information

Heavy blur or strong filters
Very dark eyes or blown highlights
Hands or objects covering the face

Making process

From reference to mailed original.

Check availability

Join the Standard waitlist or check the live Rush schedule.

Review the photo

We check likeness detail, composition fit, and timing.

Approve and pay

An invoice is sent only after the reference is accepted.

Paint and mail

The finished physical original is lightly finished and prepared for shipping.

Physical original & shipping

Real paper, brush edges, and a one-of-one surface.

Paper and shipping

The artist selects from traditional ink papers such as raw xuan, semi-raw xuan, maobian, and kozo-hemp fiber paper. Classic U.S. shipping is included. Large wall and non-U.S. shipping are quoted separately.

Physical finished portrait of two dogs among autumn chrysanthemums

Commissions

Current availability

Standard commissions are paused, with current orders scheduled through December 2026 and the next limited opening planned for late November 2026.

Standard

Join the waitlist for the next limited opening.

Rush

2 openings per Pacific Time week.

Live availability

Checking live openings.