Modern Illustration vs Watercolour vs Vector — Which Style is Right for Your Pet?
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Not sure which style to choose? You're not alone.
One of the most common questions we get at Memorii Studio is: "Which style should I choose?" It's a fair one — we offer three distinctly different art styles, and the right choice really does depend on your pet, your photo, and what you want the final piece to feel like.
This guide walks you through each style so you can choose with confidence — or just reach out and we'll recommend one based on your photo.
The Three Styles at a Glance
| Style | Best For | Mood | Canvas | Matte Print |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Modern Illustration | Any pet, especially fluffy or detailed | Warm, timeless | ✔ | ✔ |
| Watercolour | Memorial pieces, sentimental gifts | Soft, emotional | ✔ | ✘ |
| Vector-Style | Simple shapes, clean fur, bold look | Graphic, modern | ✔ | ✔ |
Modern Illustration — The One That Works for Almost Every Pet
This is our flagship style and the one we recommend most often. It uses soft painterly blending, natural depth, and gentle gradients to create something that feels warm and handcrafted — not photo-realistic, but genuinely artistic.
If your pet has fluffy fur, complex markings, a dark coat, or an expressive face — this is almost certainly the right choice. It captures personality beautifully without trying to be a photograph.
When to choose it: When you want something that looks stunning on the wall and feels like a piece of real art. When you're not sure — this is always the safe pick.
Watercolour — For Emotion Over Detail
Watercolour is our most emotional style. The soft edges, gentle colour bleed, and dreamy quality make it the natural choice for memorial portraits — pieces created to honour a pet you've lost — or for anyone who wants something that feels tender and heartfelt rather than bold and graphic.
It's less about precise detail and more about feeling. If someone looks at the portrait and it brings a tear to their eye, that's the watercolour doing its job.
When to choose it: Memorial portraits. Sentimental gifts. When softness matters more than detail. Canvas only — watercolour doesn't suit matte fine art paper.
When not to choose it: If your pet has very complex markings and you want those captured accurately, Modern Illustration will serve you better.
Vector-Style — Bold, Graphic, Gallery-Ready
Vector-Style is the most design-forward of the three. Think flat colour blocks, hard clean edges, and a poster or gallery feel. It looks striking on a wall and works especially well in modern, minimal interiors.
It suits pets with short fur, simple colour blocking, or a strong silhouette. A sleek Labrador, a solid-coloured cat, a bold horse pose — these translate brilliantly into vector style.
When to choose it: When you want something that feels more like graphic art than a portrait. When the pet has a strong, simple shape and clean fur.
When not to choose it: If your pet is fluffy, heavily-marked, or you want expression and personality captured in detail — go Modern Illustration.
Still Not Sure? Ask Yourself One Question
"Do I want this piece to feel emotional, recognisable, or designed?"
- Emotional → Watercolour
- Recognisable → Modern Illustration
- Designed → Vector-Style
Still stuck? Send us your photo and we'll recommend the right style for free — no commitment needed.
Every portrait starts with your photo. Once you place an order and upload your image, we review it and let you know if we think a different style might work better. We send a digital proof before anything is printed — and we won't print until you love it. That's the Memorii Studio promise.
Start Your Portrait
Choose your pet below and upload your favourite photo. We'll take it from there.
- Custom Dog Portrait — from $149 AUD
- Custom Cat Portrait — from $149 AUD
- Custom Horse Portrait — from $149 AUD
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Which custom pet portrait style is most popular?
A: Modern Illustration is our most popular style. It works beautifully for almost any pet — especially dogs and cats with fluffy fur or detailed markings — and looks stunning as a canvas print.
Q: Can I get a watercolour portrait for a pet that has passed away?
A: Absolutely. Watercolour is our recommended style for memorial portraits. The soft, gentle quality suits the emotional nature of the piece perfectly. We handle these orders with extra care.
Q: How long does a custom pet portrait take at Memorii Studio?
A: We typically deliver your digital proof within 5–7 business days. Once you approve it, printing and shipping adds a few more days depending on your location in Australia.
Q: What if I'm not happy with the style I chose?
A: You'll see a digital proof before anything is printed. If the style isn't working for your pet's photo, we'll talk through alternatives. Nothing goes to print until you're happy — that's our guarantee.
Q: Does Memorii Studio ship across Australia?
A: Yes — we ship to all states and territories. All portraits are printed on premium museum-quality canvas and arrive ready to hang.