We completely understand—it can feel like a big leap to order something so personal without seeing the final result first. That’s exactly why we created Start with a Sketch. It gives you peace of mind by showing you a digital sketch of your pet portrait before you commit to the full artwork. You’ll get to see the composition, style, and overall feel of your piece—so there are no surprises. If you love the sketch, you can confidently move forward. If it’s not what you imagined, you're free to stop—no pressure, no strings attached.

When you purchase Start with a Sketch, you receive two things: A digital sketch of your pet portrait based on 3–5 photos you provide. This gives you a visual preview of the final piece before any pet hair is used. A hair collection kit mailed to your address so you can gather your pet’s hair for the full Hairloom Pet Portrait later. You’ll also receive a $100 discount code to apply toward your final Hairloom Pet Portrait if you choose to move forward.

No problem at all. Start with a Sketch is designed to give you peace of mind. If you decide not to continue with the full Hairloom Pet Portrait after seeing your sketch, there’s no obligation to proceed. You can keep the sketch and the hair collection kit—no returns or hidden fees.

Not yet. The sketch is a digital preview that shows the layout, style, and general feel of the final artwork. It helps you visualize the finished piece without revealing the full effect of the pet hair integration—so the final portrait still holds an element of surprise and craftsmanship.

Yes, I can! When I send out the collection kit, I usually include separate bags for each colour of fur, along with guidance on the amount needed. If your pet's fur is naturally mixed, that's perfectly fine—you can send it as is. I'll carefully select the most suitable hairs to use. Keep in mind that Hairloom portraits tend to have a more black-and-white aesthetic rather than being highly colourful, so using a single fur colour often gives the best results.

Both types of photos work! I usually prefer a full-body picture, especially if you'd like the portrait to include your pet's entire body. Just make sure the photo clearly shows their paws and their tail. If you're happy with just a head or face portrait, a clear close-up of the face is perfectly fine too.

Absolutely! As long as you can collect hair from your animal friend, I can create a portrait. However, I don’t work with feathers.

I sure do. Visit the custom portraits page here and fill out the form. I'll be in touch to provide you with a quote soon.

I’m based in Australia but I ship all over the world. So go ahead and place your order!

Not much! When you place an order, I’ll provide a kit that includes a standard-sized bag to collect the right amount of hair for your portrait.

Yes, every bag of hair received is carefully treated to ensure it is clean and free from bacteria or contaminants.

The time required depends on the artwork size, but on average, it takes between 10 to 20 hours. Some customized pieces may take up to 30 hours to complete. When you place an order, you can expect to receive it within 2-3 weeks but this may be longer when there is a high volume of orders. I will let you know at the time of ordering if that is the case.

Yes, I can! I frequently use human hair in my artwork and am very familiar with the material. You can view some of my human hair portraits here. Visit the custom order page here to let me know what you have in mind.

I am located on the Central Coast of NSW, Australia.

Overview Hairloom Pet Portraits creates bespoke artworks using pet hair or fur supplied by customers or trusted partners. Each portrait is individually handcrafted. By commissioning a piece or supplying materials, you agree to the following terms and conditions. 1. Supply of Materials Hairloom Pet Portraits accepts only pet hair or fur either directly from customers or through trusted partners. All materials must be clearly labelled with the pet’s name and customer contact information. Hairloom Pet Portraits is not liable for any loss, damage, or mislabelling of materials prior to our receipt. Once received, all care is taken to respect the materials and use them solely for the commissioned artwork. Any unused materials can be returned on request or respectfully disposed of. 2. Order fulfilment As each piece is made by hand, turnaround times may vary. An estimated completion timeframe will be provided at the time of order confirmation. We appreciate your patience and understanding in allowing time for the careful creation of your one-of-a-kind artwork. 3. Creative process and approval Before work begins, the artist will create a digital sketch based on the photographs and materials provided. This sketch will be shared with the customer for feedback and approval. Adjustments may be requested at this stage. We will not begin working with the pet hair until the customer has approved the sketch. Once approval is given, no further changes can be made. While every effort is made to capture your pet’s likeness and spirit, the finished artwork may differ slightly from the digital sketch due to the organic nature of the materials and the handcrafting process. By commissioning a portrait, you accept and acknowledge this element of creative interpretation. 4. Warranty We guarantee that each Hairloom Pet Portrait is made with care, skill, and high-quality materials. Due to the organic nature of pet hair and the handmade process, we cannot guarantee that the artwork will remain unchanged over time. Exposure to direct sunlight, moisture, or handling may affect its longevity. Each Hairloom Pet Portrait comes with a Certificate of Authentication, ensuring the originality and uniqueness of your piece. If the artwork is damaged in transit or there is a defect in craftsmanship, please contact us within 7 days of receiving your order to discuss a resolution. 5. Indemnification By supplying materials or placing an order through a third party (including trusted partners), the customer agrees that Hairloom Pet Portraits is not liable for any claims arising from: Loss or damage to pet hair before it is received by us Disputes between the customer and the partner organisation Emotional distress associated with the final artwork In addition, partner organisations are indemnified against any claims related to the artwork, delivery, or customer satisfaction, as all transactions are ultimately with Hairloom Pet Portraits. 6. Cancellations and refunds Due to the custom nature of our work, cancellations cannot be accepted once work has commenced. If a cancellation request is made before the digital sketch is approved and physical work has begun, a partial refund may be considered at our discretion, less any costs already incurred. Refunds cannot be issued once the pet hair has been incorporated into the portrait. 7. Privacy Hairloom Pet Portraits values your privacy. All personal information provided during the commissioning process is treated with care and confidentiality. Your details will never be shared without your explicit consent. 8. Contact For questions about your order or these terms, please contact us at hello@hairloompetportraits.com.au. We are committed to ensuring every Hairloom Pet Portrait is created with empathy, respect, and artistic integrity.

I'm happy to answer it! Please get in touch via the contact page here