The Pirate Pet Portrait

About the The Pirate Style

The Pirate paints your pet as the captain of its own ship, in the glow of an old-master oil painting. Your pet wears a black tricorn hat with a white feather, a long red coat with gold buttons, a white ruffled shirt and a leather baldric across the chest. A colorful parrot perches on one shoulder. Behind the captain are the ship's deck, the wheel, coils of rope and a golden sunset spreading over the sea. A gold nameplate along the bottom carries the name.

There is no eye patch, on purpose. Both of your pet's eyes stay exactly as they are in your photo, because the eyes are what make a pet portrait feel like your pet and not a stock picture. The same goes for the ears, muzzle shape, coat color and markings. The hat sits above the ears, so floppy ears and tall ears both stay in view, and the feather adds a little height. Behind the captain, the wheel and the ropes frame the head, which draws the eye straight to the face under the hat.

Big, confident faces such as Labradors, boxers and golden retrievers fit the part, but the pirate pet portrait works just as well for a small dog with a bossy streak or a cat who stares down the whole crew. The red coat and the golden sunset bring warm color, so black, brown and dark coats stand out clearly. Start with a photo where the face is clear and the eyes are open. We tried the style on a dog on a couch beside a person, a small cat far across a room and a dark dog in a car, and each one came out large and recognizable.

It is a natural gift for a lake house, a boat, a beach rental or a child's room, and for anyone who answers every question with 'arr'. Pecan brings out the gold buttons and the sunset, while Matte Black makes the deck scene look like a gallery piece. A 16x24 framed print suits a hallway, and 24x36 is a good size above a bar or a couch. For a different kind of command, try The General for a decorated uniform, or Royal for a throne room. Pets who pose with a lifted chin and a steady look suit the captain's coat very well, so pick the photo where your pet looks most in charge.

Best for

• Dogs and cats who run the household like a ship
• Lake houses, boats, beach rentals and anyone who loves the sea
• Kids' rooms and a gift for a pet-loving child
• Confident faces in black, brown or golden coats that glow against the red coat

Lovely in these spaces

• A child's bedroom or playroom with a nautical theme
• A lake house, cabin or beach rental
• A bar area, game room or boat cabin

Think twice if

The Pirate is a playful costume portrait with a bold red coat and a parrot, so it fits a fun space better than a quiet, formal one. The parrot is painted in and cannot be removed.