Designed By Sharla - Custom Pet Portraits

Welcome to Designed By Sharla!

Black and white drawing of a dog with 'So Glad You're Here!' text

I’m Sharla, and I’m a professional pet portrait artist, creating lifelike one-of-a-kind portraits of your pets and furry friends…from your photos.

My work is my love language, and I’m so honored to turn that joy into beautiful treasures that can grace your home or make a perfect gift for any pet lover.

I offer two mediums…

Graphite Pencil

Greyscale graphite on archival heavyweight acid free paper. These make beautiful, classic black and white portraits, full of contrast and depth.

Pastel Color Painting

Pastel sticks and pencils on archival heavyweight acid free pastelmat paper. The pastel process is similar to painting, layering rich colors for a lifelike realistic result.

Hand-Drawn B&W Pet Portrait in Graphite

$120.00

Detailed painting of a dog named Gracie with an orange collar on a gradient background

Lifelike Hand-Drawn Pastel Pet Portraits

$155.00

How It Works...

Graphite pencil pet portraits of two framed dogs. Archival quality dog memorial portrait. Original pet tribute art. Handmade pet art from photo.

It's an easy 4 step process...

Message me. Let's chat about your pet.
Share your photos - the ones that make you smile.
Place your order.
I draw their portrait by hand. Layer by layer. ....see more...

Learn More

" I love my hand drawn picture of my French Bulldog, Bentley. It's perfection! "
--Bentley's mom, Groves, TX

Pet Portrait FAQs

Prices range from $120-140 for graphite drawings (one pet)
From $155-175 for color pastel drawings (one pet)
For multiple pets in one portrait it is an additional $50 each.

All drawings are 100 percent hand drawn, taking anywhere from 15-30 hours depending on level of difficulty.

Please see my pricing/sizes page for more details.

Multiple pets in one portrait is available in 11x14 only.
Each pet is $50 additional, up to 3, and the timeframe will adjust out, but
this is perfect for bonded pairs. Also, it doesn’t have to be from a photo
including all of them. I can make the portrait from individual photos.

Shipping is free! Your portrait is secured in an acid free mat and backing board, protective sleeve, tucked into a folder, padded with cardboard and bubble wrap, and then secured in its box.

You receive a "proof" in the form of a screenshot I take of the finished portrait. It is sent for your approval before I apply the spray fixative to the piece, so that any minor revisions can be made. If you are not satisfied beyond minor fixes, I'll start over, and you'll receive another photo when done. After approval, your order is shipped, as your approval serves as acceptance. If you are still unhappy after receiving it however, contact me and we can schedule another portrait slot. I do not offer returns or refunds, but I will work until you are happy with your order.

I am located in Port Neches, Texas. I do offer local pickup for those nearby wishing to skip the wait. Also, choosing local pickup in the checkout screen allows you to use discount code PICKUP15 for $15 off your order, saving on packaging materials and mailing time. At this time, I do not offer delivery.

Drawing time is 2-3 weeks on average from the time I start your portrait. I keep you in the loop on progress, and email you when it’s done and when it ships. USPS takes 4-5 days usually, and you'll receive a tracking number when it ships.

If a rush order is needed, message me and I'll do my best to make it happen. There will be an extra fee.

Natural, indirect light is preferred over direct, harsh sunlight. Select images with clear, dramatic differences between light and shadow, good color, and in sharp focus, so I can get all those sweet details. Avoid distorted, blurry, or overexposed images. If you're the photo techie type, use a high-resolution camera setting (e.g., maximum quality) and shoot in RAW format. See Photo Tips page for more!

Message me. We can look at what you have and find something I can use. Tip: zoom in, and if the pixels get fuzzy, it's not high enough resolution. The score is in finding something that shows their eyes clearly and in natural light if possible.

More than half of my commissions honor beloved pets we've lost. I treat each one with the reverence they deserve. I am also happy to include dates under their name if you wish.

Everything is handmade by me, in Southeast Texas.

" You truly captured our Callie girl."
--Callie's dad, Fannett, TX