Artwork: Equine & Owner Portrait Commission — Original Hand-Drawn Color Pencil Art

You and Your Equine — Together in Original Art

Commission a stunning, hand-drawn color pencil portrait of you and your horse, mule, or donkey — rendered together on a single 9×12 sheet of premium Strathmore drawing paper. Created from your photo and brought to life as a one-of-a-kind heirloom piece.

This is not a filter. This is not a computer app. Every mark is made by hand, with intention — each portrait representing 20 or more hours of focused, skilled work.

Commission slots are limited each month to ensure each piece receives the time and attention it deserves.

What Makes This Different

Most equine portraits focus on the horse alone. This commission places you in the portrait alongside your horse, mule, or donkey — capturing the bond, the partnership, and the story that only the two of you share. It is the portrait for the equestrian who knows that the relationship is the art.

Choose Your Package

Artwork Only — $625
Your original signed color pencil drawing of you and your horse, mule, or donkey on 9×12 Strathmore drawing paper, mailed directly to you, ready to frame. A timeless, lightfast family heirloom. Includes Certificate of Authenticity.

Artwork + T-Shirt — $675
Everything in Artwork Only, plus a custom-printed t-shirt featuring your portrait — printed from a hand-rendered high-contrast original on a premium heavyweight cotton tee, finished with our signature branded tag for a polished, gift-ready presentation. Shipped separately.

The Art

Your portrait is rendered on premium, warm-toned Strathmore drawing paper using professional-grade Caran d'Ache and Faber-Castell colored pencils — chosen for their lightfast, museum-quality pigments. The warm paper tone protects the rich, soft depth of the color work and ensures the piece will hold its beauty for generations.

Built through meticulous layering — unblended and unerased — every stroke is permanent and deliberate. Unexpected colors deepen the shadows and pull forward the highlights, harmonizing through optical mixing to create a luminous depth that flat blending cannot replicate.

Horse people know the difference between cheap tack and premium leather. The same principle applies here: Caran d'Ache and Faber-Castell are not craft-store pencils. They are the lightfast, museum-grade tools used by professional fine artists — and they are what go into your portrait.

Signed by the artist.

Certificate of Authenticity

Every commission includes a hand-signed Certificate of Authenticity documenting the artist's name, the title of the work, the medium and materials used, and the date of completion — establishing your portrait as an original, one-of-a-kind work of fine art.

About the Shirt (Artwork + T-Shirt Package)

If you choose the Artwork + T-Shirt package: because apparel printing demands a clinically stark white ground to achieve vibrant ink payoff, a second, high-contrast version of your horse is completely hand-rendered from scratch — specifically optimized for your shirt. This is not a copy or a crop. It is a purpose-built second drawing. Watch the process: see the second drawing being created from scratch in the video below.

Your portrait is printed on your choice of two classic styles — both premium heavyweight cotton, known for quality, comfort, and lasting print results. Each shirt is finished with our signature branded tag for a polished, gift-ready presentation.

Option 1: Short Sleeve T-Shirt 

• Style: Classic short sleeve, unisex fit
• Available colors: White, Natural, Light Pink, Light Blue
• Fabric: 100% preshrunk heavyweight cotton
• Fit: Runs true to size
• Care: Machine wash cold, tumble dry low to preserve the print
• Size guidance: If you're between sizes or prefer a relaxed fit, size up.

Option 2: Long Sleeve T-Shirt 

• Style: Classic long sleeve, unisex fit
• Available colors: White, Sand, Light Pink, Light Blue
• Fabric: 100% preshrunk heavyweight cotton
• Fit: Runs true to size
• Care: Machine wash cold, tumble dry low to preserve the print
• Size guidance: If you're between sizes or prefer a relaxed fit, size up.

Please indicate your shirt style preference (short sleeve or long sleeve) and your color choice in the notes at checkout.

How It Works

1. Purchase your commission and select your package
2. Upload one clear photo of you and your horse, mule, or donkey together at checkout (JPG or PNG format only)
3. Your original hand-drawn portrait is created with care and attention to detail
4. The signed original drawing on Strathmore paper is mailed to you
5. If you selected Artwork + T-Shirt: your custom t-shirt is printed and shipped separately

Photo Tips for the Best Result

• One photo of you and your horse, mule, or donkey together — upload at checkout using the photo upload field
• This should be a photo you own the copyright to — a photo you took yourself or have full rights to use
• File format: JPG or PNG only — other formats will not be accepted
• Natural lighting is ideal — shoot outdoors in soft, even light (overcast days are perfect; avoid harsh midday sun)
• Avoid flash — it flattens features and washes out color
• Get close and in focus — clear, sharp images capture the most personality
• Straight-on or slight 3/4 angle works best for portraits
• Plain or simple backgrounds help the subjects stand out
• High resolution preferred — the more detail in your photo, the more detail in your portrait
• Not sure if your photo will work? Send it to us before purchasing and we'll let you know!

Important Details

• Please allow 6–8 weeks for completion — two subjects require additional time and care
• Each piece is completely unique — no two commissions are alike
• Commissions are accepted in limited quantities to ensure quality
• All sales are final due to the custom nature of this product

Questions? Contact us before ordering — we're happy to discuss your vision.

If you love the mule t-shirt featured in the video, you can visit our catalog to purchase it!