What is a Paint Your Pet session?

A Paint Your Pet session is a guided painting event where, instead of everyone painting the same shared design, each guest paints a portrait of their own pet from a photo they bring on the night.

It is one of the most unique formats Paint Juicy offers and consistently produces the most emotionally significant canvases of any session in the calendar.

How it works

Before the session, you receive instructions to bring a clear, well-lit photo of your pet - either on your phone for easy reference or printed. The photo will be your reference for the portrait.

The host walks the group through the process of translating a photo into a painting - how to simplify the shapes, how to approach the face and eyes, how to use colour to capture your pet's colouring. Everyone works on their own unique canvas.

Because each canvas is unique, the host circulates the room more actively than in a standard shared-design session, providing individual guidance at each station.

What animals can I paint?

Any animal you have a clear photo of. Dogs and cats are the most common, but Paint Juicy has seen rabbits, horses, guinea pigs, birds, fish and reptiles on canvases at these sessions.

The key is a clear, well-lit photo where you can see your pet's face and colouring clearly. A blurry or dark photo makes the painting significantly harder. The better your reference image, the better your portrait.

How to take a good reference photo

• Natural light is best - avoid flash which creates harsh shadows
• Get close enough that the face fills most of the frame
• Try to capture your pet looking at the camera or in a characteristic pose
• A plain or simple background makes it easier to focus on your pet
• Multiple photos are useful so you can compare

The host can work with what you have but a good photo sets you up for a great result.

Why people love Paint Your Pet

Pets are family members. Painting a portrait of your pet is a genuinely emotional experience for most people. The concentration and attention you give to a photo of your dog or cat during a painting session produces a result that feels personal in a way a shared landscape cannot.

The end-of-session reveal at a Paint Your Pet night is always the most emotional of any Paint Juicy format. People cry, they laugh, they show each other their canvases with genuine pride. It is something special.

When do Paint Your Pet sessions run?

Paint Your Pet sessions run periodically on the public calendar and are available as private bookings. Check the upcoming events for your city or enquire about a private session for your group.

Paint your dog, cat, rabbit or beloved goldfish. Find the next Paint Your Pet session near you.