From Fur to Forever: How I Create a Pet Hair Portrait

Creating a Hairloom portrait is a meticulous, heartfelt process. Each portrait tells a story—not just of the pet, but of the love their humans have for them. Here's a behind-the-scenes look at how I bring each piece to life:

1. Sterilizing and Disinfecting the Fur

When I receive your pet’s fur, the first step is ensuring it's safe to work with. I carefully wash, dry, and disinfect it. This is especially important if the fur comes from a pet who has passed away, as hair can still carry bacteria. This step helps protect both the artwork and my workspace.

2. Trimming the Fur

Once the fur is clean, I sort and cut it into different lengths—short, medium, and long. This allows me to use the hair in various ways: shorter pieces for texture, longer strands for fine details like whiskers or flowing tails.

3. Selecting the Best Photo

You can upload up to three photos when placing your order. I review them all and choose the one that works best for the composition—preferably a full-body shot that clearly shows the paws and tail. Resolution and clarity are important, so if none of the initial photos are suitable, I’ll reach out and ask for alternatives.

4. Creating the Sketch

Once the photo is selected, I begin a pencil sketch on the chosen paper. This part can take a few hours. If you'd like, I can send a digital version of the sketch so you can preview how the final piece will look. It offers peace of mind without spoiling the surprise.

5. Paper & Color Selection

Choosing the right paper is essential. I typically use Fabriano Academia 200gsm, acid-free paper. The color of the paper depends on your pet’s fur: I often use white paper for darker fur and black paper to make light fur stand out.

6. Preparing the Workspace

I prepare my tools and ensure everything is clean. Good lighting is key, and I use magnifying tools to place each hair precisely. My tools include scissors, tweezers, a scalpel, and a custom tool I created using a whisker from my own cat, Gandalf. It helps me pick up and place hairs with incredible precision—so I’ve named it the “Gandalf Tool.”

7. Applying the Hair

Now the real magic begins. I trace over the pencil sketch very lightly, then begin applying the fur strand by strand using Mod Podge, a water-based, acid-free glue. This is a slow, delicate process—sometimes taking over eight hours for even a small piece.

8. Creating Depth with Light and Shadow

As I work, I carefully build up layers to create volume, shape, and lifelike depth. Shading is done with both the fur and gentle pencil work to make the portrait feel truly alive.

9. Final Touches & Signature

Once the portrait is complete, I sign and date it—using finely cut fur to create a signature that blends beautifully with the piece.

10. Sealing and Protecting the Art

After the glue is completely dry, I apply a professional fixative (Winsor & Newton, acid-free, matte finish) to protect the fur and the paper. This ensures the portrait stays beautiful for years to come.

11. Framing and Shipping

Each portrait is framed with the style the client chose during the order. I double-check the backing for security and package the artwork carefully for shipping.

12. Certificate of Authenticity

Every Hairloom portrait comes with a signed certificate of authenticity, featuring the pet’s name, the date, and my signature. It’s a guarantee that you own a one-of-a-kind, handcrafted piece of art.