Commission Your Custom Hand Painted Pet Portrait Today

Your phone’s camera roll is buried under blurry snapshots that never capture your pet’s true personality. Hand painted pet portraits solve this by translating a beloved animal’s unique spirit into museum-quality oil or acrylic artwork. Each portrait is built from your reference photos by a skilled painter who layers brushstrokes to highlight your pet’s expressive eyes, favorite toy, or characteristic pose. The result is a timeless, wall-ready heirloom that turns any room into a celebration of your bond.

Why Custom Animal Art Makes a Timeless Keepsake

Hand painted pet portraits become timeless keepsakes because they capture a pet’s unique personality in a way that digital images cannot replicate. The artist’s brushstrokes preserve subtle details like eye shine or fur texture, creating a one-of-a-kind piece that deepens in sentimental value over a lifetime. Unlike printed photos, custom animal art uses durable materials like canvas and archival paint, resisting fading for decades. Each portrait tells a story specific to your bond, turning a fleeting moment into a permanent, personal heirloom that evokes emotion every time it is viewed.

Capturing Personality Beyond a Photograph

A photograph freezes a single, often candid moment. A hand-painted portrait, however, synthesizes multiple references to distill your pet’s core essence. By emphasizing a characteristic glint in the eye, the precise tilt of the ears, or a signature lazy posture, the artist moves beyond surface likeness. This process corrects for a photo’s flawed lighting or awkward angle, instead capturing your pet’s characteristic alertness or mellow spirit. The brushwork translates texture—the wiry feel of a terrier’s coat versus the sleekness of a cat’s fur—which a flat image cannot convey. This focus on behavioral expression through paint ensures the final piece feels like a living presence, not a frozen snapshot.

A photograph records what your pet looked like in that second; a hand-painted portrait reveals who they have always been.

Heirloom-Quality Gifts for Pet Lovers

For pet lovers seeking a lasting tribute, heirloom-quality hand-painted pet portraits transform a beloved companion into a tangible legacy. These portraits use archival-grade oil paints on finely woven linen, ensuring color depth and resistance to fading for decades. Unlike mass-produced prints, each brushstroke captures the distinct texture of fur and the exact glint in the eye, creating a one-of-a-kind artifact. A custom portrait functions as both a decorative centerpiece and a future family treasure, preserving a pet’s presence for generations.

• Employs archival materials—professional-grade oils, museum-varnished panels—to prevent yellowing or cracking over decades.
• Captures unique breed-specific traits and subtle expressions, impossible to replicate with photography or digital art.
• Arrives ready for framing, often with conservation-grade backing to protect against humidity and UV light.

Choosing the Right Artistic Style for Your Companion

When commissioning a hand painted pet portrait, the artistic style determines whether the piece captures a lifelike resemblance or a more expressive character. For a classic, detailed look, choose a realistic style that renders fur textures and eye reflections precisely. If your companion has a dynamic personality, an impressionistic approach uses bold brushstrokes and soft edges to convey movement and mood. A minimalist style focuses on essential features, ideal for a modern, clean aesthetic. How do I match a style to my pet’s fur? Long, multi-toned fur benefits from realism to show highlights and shadows, while short, solid-colored coats can be effectively captured by a stylized or pop-art style for bold contrast. Always review the artist’s portfolio to ensure their technique aligns with the emotional tone you want for your companion.

Realistic Oil Renderings for Lifelike Detail

For lifelike detail in a hand painted pet portrait, realistic oil renderings excel at capturing fur texture and eye depth through layered glazes. The process begins with a monochromatic underdrawing to map values, then builds thin, translucent oil layers to simulate subsurface scattering in the animal’s skin and coat. Use a dry-brush technique for individual whiskers and a fine sable brush for highlights on the nose and pupils. Photorealism requires precise color mixing to match the pet’s exact coat patterns, avoiding flat tones. An

1. Apply a neutral base layer to establish light and shadow
2. Glaze dilute pigments for fur direction and translucency
3. Add specular highlights with opaque white on wet surfaces

ensures every brushstroke contributes to a breath-like finish.

Whimsical Watercolor Washes for Soft Memories

For a companion portrait that feels like a cherished daydream, whimsical watercolor washes for soft memories excel at capturing fleeting expressions. Loose, translucent layers mimic the gentle blur of a happy recollection—think of a golden retriever’s fur dissolving into sunlight. The paint’s fluidity lets you prioritize emotion over anatomical precision, transforming a pet into a luminous memory. Work on cold-press paper for optimal pigment bloom, and use a damp brush to lift highlights from the eyes.

• Apply wet-on-wet techniques to create diffusion that softens hard edges around snouts and ears.
• Limit your palette to 3–5 pastel tones for a cohesive, nostalgic atmosphere.
• Resist overworking: two translucent washes often yield more tenderness than five opaque layers.

Modern Pop-Art Portraits with Bold Colors

For a pet portrait that commands attention, modern pop-art portraits with bold colors transform your companion into a vibrant icon. This style uses saturated, often non-naturalistic hues—think electric blue fur or magenta eyes—to amplify personality through graphic, high-contrast blocks. It’s perfect for a playful pet, as the deliberate overstatement captures their energy rather than literal features. Unlike realistic renderings, the charm lies in the deliberate exaggeration of their most charismatic traits. The process typically involves a sharp, simplified outline filled with flat, unblended color fields, ensuring the portrait pops from any wall.

• Choose a primary color for the background that directly contrasts with your pet’s natural coat tone.
• Request a second “accent” color for details like eyes or collar to create a punchy focal point.
• Ensure the artist uses zero gradient—pop-art relies on clean, hard-edged color separations.

Selecting the Perfect Reference Photo

The ideal reference photo for a hand-painted pet portrait prioritizes sharp detail in the eyes and fur texture, as these require precise brushwork. A high-resolution image taken at eye level in natural, diffused light—avoiding harsh shadows or direct flash—provides the most accurate color and form for painting. Q: For the best portrait result, what lighting condition should the reference photo avoid? A: Avoid direct flash or harsh midday sun, which KokoHeart hand painted pet portraits flattens features and washes out the pet’s unique coat highlights and shadow depth.

Lighting Tips to Highlight Fur and Eyes

To make fur and eyes pop in your hand painted pet portrait, your reference photo must capture **directional light that sculpts the face**. Seek a side or three-quarter light source that casts soft shadows across the coat, revealing individual hair textures and the subtle curves of the skull. Avoid flat, front-on flash that washes out both the fur’s depth and the eye’s spark. A single catchlight—a crisp, tiny reflection from a window or diffused source—brings the eye to life, while warm rim lighting on the fur edge creates a luminous halo. For dark coats, a gentle sidelight prevents them from turning into a black void, letting you see the true colour layers.

Posing Your Pet for Maximum Character

A pet’s character emerges through pose. For a hand painted portrait, angles that reveal the animal’s natural attitude—like a head-tilt for curiosity or a relaxed sprawl for contentment—yield the most authentic results. Avoid stiff, head-on shots; instead, photograph at eye level or slightly below to amplify personality. The muzzle should be fully visible to preserve likeness, while paws or tail placement can hint at motion or mood. A profile captures elegance, but a three-quarter view balances structure with expression. Focus on the eyes, as their direct gaze conveys depth the painter can translate. Q: What pose best captures a playful dog? A: Mid-action, like sitting with one paw lifted, freezes alert anticipation without blurring the face.

Avoiding Blurry or Low-Resolution Images

A blurry or low-resolution reference directly limits the detail an artist can capture in a hand painted pet portrait. To avoid this, always select an image where the pet’s eyes, fur texture, and whiskers are sharply defined. A pixelated photo forces the artist to guess at lost information, risking a muddy or soft result. For reliable results, follow this sequence: evaluate image resolution by checking the file size—aim for at least 1 MB. Then, zoom into the photo on your screen to confirm individual hairs or facial features remain clear. Finally, discard any image that shows digital noise or compression artifacts, as these will distort the final painting.

1. Check photo file size (≥1 MB) for sufficient pixel density.
2. Zoom into the image to verify sharpness of details like eyes and fur.
3. Reject images with visible blur, grain, or pixelation.

Materials That Elevate a Custom Pet Painting

The substrate is foundational; a finely textured, archival linen board prevents warping and supports multiple thin glazes, while heavyweight cotton canvas offers a tooth that grips dense oil or acrylic layers, ensuring fade resistance. For fur detail, a sable-flat brush loaded with high-pigment paint like cadmium orange for a ginger cat catches light from within the weave. Golden acrylics or Williamsburg oils retain vibrancy because their high binder-to-pigment ratio resists yellowing. Q: What makes a paint “elevated”? A: High pigment load and a stable binder, like safflower oil in whites, prevent the portrait from dulling over a few decades.

Gallery-Wrapped Canvas Versus Fine Art Paper

For a custom pet portrait, the choice between gallery-wrapped canvas and fine art paper dictates both display and texture. Gallery-wrapped canvas offers a frameless, modern look with depth, as the image wraps around sturdy stretcher bars. This option is ideal for showcasing thick, painterly brushstrokes that mimic the original hand-painted feel. Fine art paper, such as archival rag or cotton, provides a smooth, matte surface that captures minute details, like individual whiskers, without glare. It requires a separate frame and glass, which can protect the portrait in high-traffic areas. The surface texture directly impacts the portrait’s perceived realism.

Q: Should I choose canvas or paper for a portrait of a black lab? A: For a black lab, which needs deep, rich blacks without glare distractions, fine art paper under museum glass is often superior, as it preserves subtle tonal variations and prevents light reflections from obscuring shadow details.

Archival Pigments for Fade-Resistant Color

Archival pigments elevate a hand-painted pet portrait by ensuring the vibrancy of a beloved companion’s fur and eye colors remains stable for decades. Unlike standard dyes, these lightfast particles resist chemical breakdown when exposed to UV radiation, directly preventing the yellowing or fading that typically degrades artwork over time. The process relies on selecting pigments rated for permanence (ASTM I or II), which are then ground into a binder that locks each particle in a crystalline lattice. For fade-resistant color, the sequence is straightforward:

1. Choose pigments with a proven lightfastness rating;
2. Mix the pigment with a non-yellowing, conservation-grade medium;
3. Apply in thin layers to maximize the particle density without cracking.

This methodology ensures the portrait’s hues, from subtle nose shades to glossy black patches, retain their original intensity even in sunlit rooms.Fade-resistant color hinges entirely on this archival formulation, not on varnishes or framing glass.

Framing Options to Match Your Home Decor

Choosing a frame for your hand-painted pet portrait is about blending the art into your home. A sleek black floater frame gives a modern, gallery-like feel, while ornate gold or silver moldings add classic elegance to traditional decor. For rustic spaces, a reclaimed wood frame with visible grain warms up the piece. Always match the frame finish to your room’s hardware—brass frames suit warm-toned spaces, and nickel or chrome cool ones. A wide mat can create breathing room around the portrait, especially if you hang it above a busy fireplace or in a cozy reading nook.

Frame Finish	Best Matches
Black or dark walnut	Minimalist, industrial, masculine
Gold or brass	Bohemian, Victorian, warm neutrals
White or natural wood	Scandinavian, coastal, farmhouse

If your decor is eclectic, consider a shadowbox frame with a deep profile so the painting floats visually, creating a modern statement without clashing with busy walls.

Commissioning an Artist: What to Expect

When commissioning a hand painted pet portrait, expect a clear process that begins with selecting your best reference photo. The artist will discuss size, medium (oil, acrylic, or pastel), and style—realistic or impressionistic. You should receive a price quote based on complexity and dimensions, then a deposit to secure your slot. Communication is key: the artist will share progress photos for your approval, allowing for minor adjustments to ensure the likeness captures your pet’s personality. Once the painting is finished and finalized, you’ll pay the remaining balance before the artwork is carefully packaged and shipped. The entire timeline typically spans several weeks, with faster options available for an additional fee. This personalized service guarantees a one-of-a-kind tribute to your beloved companion.

Initial Consultation and Style Preferences

The initial consultation kicks off your portrait by nailing down your preferred artistic style for the piece. You’ll chat about reference photos, whether you want a realistic, painterly, or whimsical feel, and how prominently the pet’s personality should shine through. This is the time to mention any color palette wishes or backgrounds you love—or want avoided. Your artist will ask questions to match their technique to your vision, ensuring the final painting feels personal.

• Share at least two clear, high-resolution photos from different angles.
• Specify if you want a close-up headshot or a full-body pose.
• Decide on a mood—playful, noble, or cozy—to guide the composition.
• Bring up any must-have details like a favorite toy or collar.

Reviewing Sketches and Progress Updates

Reviewing sketches and progress updates is critical for ensuring the final hand-painted pet portrait matches your vision. The artist typically provides a digital preview of initial sketch phases, allowing you to assess composition and anatomy before paint touches canvas. You must communicate specific corrections—adjusting eye placement or fur direction—early, as changes become difficult once paint layers build. Progress photos at defined intervals (e.g., after blocking color, refining details) let you verify proportions and color accuracy. How many revision rounds are typically included during sketching? Most artists allow one to two major adjustments at the sketch stage; additional refinements may incur fees. Prompt feedback prevents costly rework and keeps the portrait aligned with your reference photo’s essence.

Turnaround Times and Shipping Considerations

Turnaround for a hand-painted pet portrait typically spans four to eight weeks, as each coat of paint requires drying time between layers. Shipping considerations for original artwork include carefully packing the still-damp painting in acid-free paper and a rigid mailer to prevent smudging or canvas dents. For framed pieces, allow an extra week for glass installation and crate-building. The courier’s speed often matters less than the climate-controlled route they take. Follow these steps once the portrait is finished:

1. Studio photographs the dry artwork for your approval.
2. You confirm final shipping address and any customs labels (for international orders).
3. Artist insures the package and sends tracking with a delivery-day signature requirement.

Displaying Your One-of-a-Kind Pet Artwork

Displaying your one-of-a-kind hand painted pet portrait transforms it from mere decoration into a cherished focal point. Frame it with archival-quality glass to protect the paint from UV damage and dust. Position the artwork at eye level in a room where natural light enhances the brushstrokes, like a living room or entryway. Mount the portrait against a neutral wall to let the unique fur textures and expressive eyes dominate the space. Pair it with minimal decor to avoid visual clutter, ensuring your pet’s personality remains the undisputed center of attention. This placement elevates the portrait’s emotional impact, making it a daily reminder of your bond.

Choosing a Focal Wall in Your Living Room

Choosing a focal wall for your hand painted pet portrait begins with identifying the area where eyes naturally rest, typically the wall opposite the room’s main entrance or above a fireplace. Ensure the wall receives consistent, indirect lighting to avoid glare on the canvas texture. Measure the portrait’s dimensions against the wall space, allowing at least six inches of breathing room on each side. Avoid walls cluttered with windows, doors, or competing decor, as these distract from the artwork’s handcrafted detail. The chosen wall should be unobstructed by furniture that blocks the portrait’s lower edge.

• Select a wall with at least 4–5 feet of clear vertical space for proper scale.
• Test portrait placement by holding it at eye level (57–60 inches from floor to center).
• Consider walls painted in neutral tones to let the portrait’s hues stand out.
• Verify the wall has no direct sunlight exposure to prevent paint fading over time.

Creating a Gallery Wall with Other Pet Memorabilia

Transform a hand-painted pet portrait into the heart of a dynamic display by integrating other memorabilia, such as their favorite collar, a worn leash, or a clay paw print, creating a cohesive pet memory wall. Cluster these items around the artwork at varied heights, using shadow boxes for fragile pieces to add depth. Layer sentimental objects like a first toy or a hospital band to weave a rich narrative of your pet’s life.

• Arrange memorabilia in asymmetrical clusters around the portrait for visual flow.
• Use floating frames for collars or tags to protect them without hiding their texture.
• Include a small shelf below the portrait to display a favorite bowl or urn.

Protecting the Painting from Sunlight and Humidity

To preserve your hand-painted pet portrait’s vibrancy, control light and moisture exposure rigorously. Direct sunlight accelerates pigment fading, so hang the artwork away from windows or use UV-filtering glass in the frame. Maintain a stable indoor humidity between 40–50% to prevent canvas warping or mold growth; a dehumidifier or hygrometer is invaluable. Avoid bathrooms or kitchens where steam fluctuates wildly. What is the biggest risk from high humidity? It causes the paint layer to blister and the canvas to sag, permanently distorting your pet’s likeness. Treating the painting’s storage environment as critically as the art itself ensures its longevity.

Gifting Custom Animal Art for Special Occasions

For milestone birthdays, anniversaries, or memorials, a hand-painted pet portrait elevates a simple present into a cherished heirloom. Unlike mass-produced prints, a custom oil or acrylic piece captures your recipient’s pet with a unique, painterly soul that digital photos lack. Choosing a close-up portrait that highlights the animal’s eyes and distinct markings ensures the gift feels deeply personal and instantly recognizable. Consider commissioning the artwork well before the event, as skilled artists often have waiting lists. Presenting the portrait in a high-quality frame with a small engraved plaque transforms the gift into a permanent tribute. The emotional weight of seeing a beloved pet immortalized in brushstrokes makes this gesture unforgettable for any devoted owner.

Memorial Portraits to Honor a Beloved Friend

A Memorial Portrait to Honor a Beloved Friend transforms grief into a tangible tribute, requiring a reference photo that captures the pet’s distinct personality. The artist must replicate specific details—ear shape, coat texture, or a unique scar—to ensure the painting evokes genuine recognition. Emotional resonance through artistic accuracy is achieved by layering translucent glazes over an underpainting, mimicking fur depth without photorealism. What size is best for a memorial portrait? A 12×16-inch canvas offers sufficient detail without overwhelming display spaces, allowing the viewer to focus on the subject’s eyes, which often carry the most meaningful expression.

Unique Housewarming or Birthday Presents

A hand-painted pet portrait transforms into a uniquely personal gift for a housewarming or birthday. Instead of a generic vase or candle, present a custom oil or watercolor painting featuring the recipient’s beloved dog or cat in their new home’s color scheme. For a birthday, commission a portrait that humorously places the pet in a “birthday scene” with a party hat. This gift stands apart from standard presents because it directly celebrates their bond with a specific animal. For unique housewarming presents, a portrait of their pet beside the “new home” sign creates a lasting, emotional centerpiece.

Aspect	Housewarming	Birthday
Thematic Focus	New home integration (e.g., pet in front of fireplace)	Celebration elements (e.g., pet with crown or confetti)
Size & Placement	Often larger to anchor a new living room wall	Versatile sizes suitable for shelves or smaller walls

Matching Portraits for Multi-Pet Households

For multi-pet households, a matching pet portrait set creates visual cohesion across different artworks. Begin by selecting a uniform size and frame style for each piece, ensuring they display harmoniously when grouped. Coordinate the background colors to complement one another without clashing with your home’s decor. When commissioning an artist, request consistent lighting and angles for each pet so the portraits feel like a deliberate series rather than separate images. This approach works especially well for celebrating shared occasions, such as adoptions or birthdays.

1. Choose a shared palette for backgrounds or props.
2. Specify the same artistic style (e.g., watercolor, realistic) for all portraits.
3. Provide photos of each pet in a similar pose to maintain flow.

Cost Factors and Investment in Quality

The cost of a hand painted pet portrait is primarily driven by the artist’s skill level and reputation, which directly correlates with painting quality. A high level of detail, realistic fur texture, and accurate color matching require more hours of labor, increasing the price. The chosen painting medium significantly impacts the cost; oil paints typically command a higher price than acrylics due to their durability and blending depth. Larger canvas sizes also demand more materials and time. Investing in a premium portrait means paying for superior archival-quality paints and canvas, which ensures the artwork resists fading and cracking for decades, preserving your pet’s likeness as a lasting heirloom. Conversely, cheaper portraits often use low-grade materials that degrade quickly, sacrificing longevity for a lower upfront price.

Size, Detail Level, and Artist Experience

The canvas size directly dictates material costs and labor hours; a larger portrait requires more paint and meticulous coverage, increasing the price. Detail level, such as rendering individual fur strands versus smooth fur, demands significantly more precision and time from the artist. This directly links to artist experience and pricing tiers, as a seasoned professional works faster with complex brushwork but commands higher rates for that mastery. A smaller, simpler portrait by a novice is far cheaper than a large, photorealistic piece by a renowned specialist. These three factors combine to form the core price scaling logic.

Commission Fees Versus Mass-Produced Prints

Commission fees for hand-painted pet portraits reflect the artist’s labor, unique materials, and individualized attention, whereas mass-produced prints are identical, low-cost replicas printed in bulk. With a commission, you pay for a one-of-a-kind original painted specifically from your pet’s photograph, making it a singular keepsake. Conversely, prints lack texture, brushwork, and bespoke adjustment of color or expression. For a portrait that becomes a family heirloom, the premium is justified by its exclusivity and craftsmanship.

• Commission fees cover hours of hand-painted layers and custom color mixing.
• Mass-produced prints are machine-made and offer no stylistic or detail adjustments.
• Original portraits appreciate in emotional value; prints remain generic reproductions.
• A commission ensures exclusive originality not available in any print run.

Budget-Friendly Options Like Miniature Paintings

For those seeking affordable hand painted pet portraits, miniature paintings offer a cost-effective entry point. These smaller works, typically 4×4 or 5×7 inches, require significantly less paint and artist time, lowering the price without sacrificing the bespoke quality. Focus is placed on the pet’s facial features, making the portrait intimate. A miniature’s frame and display options also tend to be less expensive than custom framing for larger canvases.

• Reduced canvas size and paint usage directly lower the artist’s material costs.
• Shorter painting hours result in a smaller final invoice compared to full-scale portraits.
• Perfect for gift-giving or as a pet memorial without a high financial commitment.
• Easier and cheaper to ship, eliminating bulky crate fees for oversized works.

Frequently Asked Questions About Bespoke Pet Art

When ordering bespoke pet art, a common first question is how to submit your photo. Owners should send a clear, well-lit image where the pet’s face isn’t shadowed or blurred. Another frequent query involves timeframe: most hand painted pet portraits take two to four weeks from start to finish, though rush services are occasionally available. People often ask about the medium—whether acrylic, oil, or pastel—and which best captures a pet’s fur texture or eye shine. Sizing is another hot topic; a standard 8×10 inch canvas works for a single pet, but larger group portraits require more space. Finally, clients wonder about changes: reputable artists allow one round of minor edits (like eye color or background shade) before final painting begins.

Can You Paint from a Group Photo of Pets?

Yes, a single group photo can capture multiple pets together, but clarity is paramount. The artist must clearly see each animal’s face and body to render your bespoke pet portraits accurately. If pets overlap or are too small, the final painting may lose detail. For best results, provide the highest-resolution image possible where each pet is well-lit and in focus. Avoid heavily filtered shots, as they distort fur colors and expressions.

• Ensure every pet’s face is visible and not obscured by shadows or other animals.
• Confirm the photo resolution is high enough to show individual whiskers and eyes.
• Avoid using flash that creates red-eye or flattens your pet’s natural features.

How Long Does Oil Paint Take to Dry?

Oil paint takes a while to dry, which is actually a bonus for your pet’s portrait. A thin layer feels touch-dry in 1 to 3 days, but the paint remains workable for weeks, letting the artist blend fur textures perfectly. Full curing, where the painting is hard enough to ship safely, takes anywhere from 2 to 6 months depending on paint thickness and studio conditions. Thicker highlights on whiskers or noses will slow things down, so your portrait should stay in a dust-free, well-ventilated spot during that time for best results.

Layer Type	Touch-Dry Time	Fully Cured
Thin glaze (fur base)	1–2 days	4–6 weeks
Thick impasto (nose/eyes)	3–5 days	3–6 months

Do Artists Offer Digital Proofs Before Finalizing?

Yes, many artists offer a digital proof before your hand painted pet portrait is finalized. This is your chance to check the composition, expression, and pose. For example, you might request a slight adjustment if the reference photo’s lighting is off. Always review the digital proof carefully to avoid surprises later. Do artists offer digital proofs before finalizing? Absolutely—just confirm with your painter upfront, as this step ensures you love the design before brush touches canvas.

What Makes a Hand-Painted Pet Portrait Different From a Digital Print

Why brushstrokes and texture add emotional depth to the image

How small details capture your pet’s unique personality

How to Choose the Right Reference Photo for the Best Result

Lighting, angle, and expression: what matters most

Avoiding blurry or low-resolution images you send to the artist

What Materials Are Commonly Used in Hand-Painted Pet Portraits

Oil, acrylic, or watercolor—which paint works best for fur and eyes

Canvas, paper, or wood panel: how the surface changes the final look

How to Commission Your Own Portrait from Start to Finish

Questions to ask the artist before agreeing on a price

Typical turnaround times and what to expect during the painting process

How to Display and Care for Your Finished Portrait

Best spots in your home to hang or place the artwork

Cleaning tips and protecting the paint from sunlight and dust

What Common Mistakes Do First-Time Buyers Make

Choosing the wrong photo size or cropping ratio

Not discussing background preferences or sizing ahead of time