I never set out to become a pet portrait artist. I found it during one of the most difficult chapters of my life - addiction recovery. In that season I felt lost, hopeless, and unsure of who I was. Then one day I felt a nudge to pick up a paintbrush again - and honestly it was scary at first. I was rusty, I doubted myself, but I knew it was the right next step in a healthier direction.
Overtime painting animals became more than just a creative outlet. It helped me rebuild my confidence, express my faith, sharpen my skills, and reconnect with creativity. Most of all, it gave me a sense of purpose when I needed it the most!
This course is built from that experience - not to dwell on the pain, but to show what’s possible on the other side of it! Painting animals, especially pets, helped me to heal. Now I want to share that joy and expertise with others, even beginner artists!
Art can be incredibly personal, but it doesn’t have to be isolating. When I first started painting pets I was just doing it for myself. Overtime I began sharing my work with friends and family. Seeing how much it brought them joy - the smiles, the memories, the connection - made me want to share my art even more!
That’s why this course is not only about technique, it’s also about building a creative habit with a kind, encouraging community. Students can learn and grow together in a very active online community with optional artwork critiques and regular live paintings!
Learn to paint pet portraits that feel as real and full of life as the pets themselves! Creatives at any level can do this too by applying my breed specific drawing and painting techniques, fur painting methods, basic color theory, pet anatomy, and proper brush use. A fun process for achieving a cheerful, expressive style with just the right balance of realism.
Students begin the class learning the versatility and forgiving properties of acrylic paint in a simple, relaxing way. Students progress to learning the fundamental drawing and painting techniques needed to express a cheerful, colorful style.
After that students learn my 12-step pet painting process followed by an in-depth fur painting techniques course. At any point students can apply and practice these methods following a wide range of beginner through advanced level tutorials. Lessons can be viewed out of order and at any pace!
Whether you’re gifting a portrait, painting for a friend, or working on a commission, your pet art has the power to brighten someone's day! That’s why this class is perfect for creatives looking for a soothing, creative outlet and for those ready to turn their love of animals and painting into a purpose-driven job.
That’s why the Masterclass also includes my pet portrait commission course. A mini class that covers how to accept commissions, price your work, manage expectations, and protect yourself with a contract. Literally all the tools you need to create meaningful pet portraits that bring comfort, preserves memories, and builds strong connections with clients.
Build confidence creating pet portraits that are dimensionally realistic, but also colorfully abstract. Discover how fun and freeing it is to choose, mix, blend, layer, and apply color heavily guided by value. A colorful, joyful outlet that helps manage anxiety and boost mood.
Look forward to new painting projects each month capturing the likeness of a variety of different pets, not just cats and dogs. Celebrate your wins (big or small) as you build skills painting pets through the ups and downs of life!
“My pet portraits have improved 100% since joining the Masterclass. Not only in skill, but also in my confidence as well. Lauren I cannot thank you enough for this class and all you have done.”
“Lauren, thank you so very much for all your help. Your encouragement and tutorials these past years have helped me to arrive at this point. Having my own solo show was a dream come true!”
“My mother passed away unexpectedly in October and once I made time to paint again the peace and joy of painting returned to my heart! Thank you Lauren for your love, direction, and guiding all of us through the healing world of art!”
“I’ve never painted this consistently in my life! This is Woodrow, his owner was my classmate who turned out to be a neighbor who turned into a friend. I’m so grateful I can now create something special for him.”
“This is truly the most giving and helpful painting community I have ever been in, and there are HUNDREDS of tutorials I have yet to explore. I’m learning so much Lauren!”
“I never would have tried painting on wood if it were not for your Collie wood ornament tutorial. I still cannot believe that it led to hundreds of custom mini ornament commissions! Thank you so much Lauren!”
“I cannot thank you enough for what your class has given me. Your encouragement, the way you make beautiful art attainable, the variety, the calming nature of you and your class in such a crazy world. Your class has become my safe space! I could go on and on. You have changed my life and I will be forever grateful.”
“I realized I now have the ability to paint from a reference photo without a tutorial! You have been instrumental in that achievement and I thank you from the bottom of my heart!”
“I signed up for the Masterclass to get painting again and to help me through the hardest 7-months of my life, and it did! I was intimidated to paint something like this that I really wanted to turn out well, but now I’m done and very please to share it!”
“This Masterclass is more than an art class for me. It has helped me to be calm and relax while learning to paint animals, which I love. I am a student forever as there is always something to learn.”
