So you've decided to get a custom digital portrait done. Great decision. Now comes the part that trips most people up — which style do you choose?

At Pets Paradise Love we offer three: Digital Oil Painting, Watercolour, and Abstract. They're all created by the same skilled graphic artists using the same process. But the end result? Completely different feel. Here's how to think about it.

Digital Oil Painting — For the Pet Who Deserves a Statement Piece

If you want something that stops people in their tracks when they walk into a room, this is it.

Digital oil painting mimics the rich texture and depth of traditional oil on canvas — bold colours, strong contrasts, the kind of presence that says this pet mattered. It works especially well for dogs with strong features. Think a German Shepherd in full knight armour, or a golden retriever rendered like a Renaissance nobleman. The style has weight to it.

It's also the most "classic" of the three — if you're gifting this to someone who isn't sure they'd love art on their wall, oil is the safest choice. It looks like what most people picture when they hear "portrait."

Best for: Dogs and cats with strong, defined features. Bold themed portraits (Superheroes, War Heroes, Knights). Living rooms, offices, statement walls.

Watercolour — For the Pet Who Makes Your Heart Soft

Watercolour portraits have a completely different energy. Where oil is bold, watercolour is gentle. The colours bleed into each other softly, the edges aren't always hard, and the whole thing has a kind of luminous, emotional quality that's hard to describe until you see it.

Honestly, these are the ones that make people cry. In a good way.

They work beautifully for cats — something about the soft lines suits them perfectly. They're also the most popular choice for memorial portraits, because the style itself feels tender and nostalgic.

Best for: Cats. Softer themed portraits (Royalty, Renaissance, Mythical Creatures). Bedrooms, reading nooks, anywhere intimate.

Abstract — For the Pet With a Personality Bigger Than a Photo

Abstract portraits aren't for everyone — and that's exactly the point. If your pet has a personality that a straight portrait just can't contain, abstract lets the artist interpret rather than document.

Expect unexpected colour choices, expressive brushwork, shapes that suggest rather than define. It's the most "arty" of the three — and in the right home, it's stunning.

This style tends to attract people who already have art on their walls and know what they like. It's also the most unique — no two abstract portraits ever look remotely alike.

Best for: Pets with big personalities. Modern, design-forward homes. People who want something genuinely one-of-a-kind.

Still Can't Decide?

Here's the thing — you don't have to. When you commission a portrait with us, we send you 2 to 4 different versions to choose from. Tell us your preferred style and we'll deliver options. Or tell us you're not sure and we'll show you more than one interpretation.

No other portrait service does this. Most take your order, produce one result, and that's that. We'd rather you love what you get.