Testimonials

Thank you so much for my beautiful portrait of Inca and Bentley. It is the most amazing portrait and you have captured mum and son to a tee. I can feel them breathing and their beautiful nature really comes to the fore. Thank you so much, words really can't explain how pleased I am.

Anna, Dorset, UK.

We commissioned Olivia earlier this year, 2023, having been recommended by a mutual friend, to do a pastel portrait of our beloved Sprocker, Archie.

From beginning to end, Olivia proved to be a real professional. She initially spent a morning with us taking many photos of Archie - who thought he'd died and gone to Heaven, with all the attention he received!

Soon after our (photo) choice was made, we received her first draft, which already we could see she had immediately captured Archies's inimitable character - and the end product is absolutely perfect. One can hardly tell it's not a photograph. In fact, a visiting friend commented on the lovely 'photo' of our dog - and was absolutely amazed when she discovered that it wasn't a photo, but in fact, was a portrait done in pastels.

We believe that Olivia has been divinely inspired to produce such life-like portraits, of not only pets, nature and wildlife, but of loved ones as well. May she continue to be used to bless so many people with her incredible God-given talent.

Richard and Gay Mallam, Somerset, UK.

I am in tears of joy. It is so much more magnificent than your updates could show. I am so thrilled with the pastel portrait of my beloved Rum. It is absolutely stunning. I was so grateful for the regular updates as the work progressed, it was lovely to see her gradually coming to life.

Thank you again for using your amazing talent to give me such a beautiful lasting memorial of my darling dog.

Patricia Sanctuary, UK.

Olivia is an amazing artist. She manages to capture her subjects in such a magical way that their personalities leap right off the paper. The portraits of my beloved polo pony Aslan and my gorgeous Jack Russell, Beryl, are as perfect as if they were photographs..two of my most prized possessions.

Poppy Zive, UK.

Olivia is a brilliant artist, as talented as they come. As a fellow artist, there are so many things i appreciate about her work, one being the life - the reality - she pulls from her subjects by being so attentive to their eyes. Olivia is great at painting a soft background that recedes behind her animals, giving that amazing depth that has them stepping out of the jungle right into the living room!

I looked through the offerings in her shop to find some paintings, (limited edition prints) for my home, admiring Big Cat after Big Cat, all so perfect; it was a really tough decision.

The beauty of her paintings was only part of the deciding factor, however. I have been following her on Instagram for some time now; Olivia has become a dear friend with her consistent kindness and true friendship toward me. I feel privileged to have her artwork grace my home.

Joanna Goff, California, USA.

I have engaged Olivia to recreate the likeness of three of my cat babies now. One Persian cat and two Sphynx cats. Such diverse aesthetics surely tested her skills! But the lifelike resemblance of each portrait is remarkable. Each whisker, hair stroke, the smooth velvety fuzz on the Sphynx cats - gives each portrait a living quality, a depth and a realism - making you feel like you could almost reach into the picture and touch them. But when you see the eyes... that's what brings each portrait to life!

The portraits aren't just a 'likeness' of a cat, they bring to life the true 'ESSENCE' of the cats! She has drawn my cats as surely as if she spent hours upon hours with them, learning their little characteristics. Even the framer didn't realise they were drawings - he thought they were photographs!

Olivia draws with a keen eye, some genuine talent and a LOT of love. I couldn't be happier with her work and i highly recommend her!

Alison, Australia.

I asked Olivia to produce a picture of a lion. When I asked her to do it I was unsure what the process would be. However, she immediately took care of things and once Olivia started, it turned into the most amazing experience. It became the best present I have ever given to anyone. Due to Olivia's passion, talent and eye for detail, she made an amazing piece of art which I was so so lucky to be able to give to my mother. On giving this present to my mum, who is also an accomplished artist, she was very moved by Olivia's powerful art. Thank you so much Olivia.

Tadgh Wade, UK

My daughter introduced me to Olivia Willoughby's artwork. As an artist myself I can fully recommend Olivia's art work after I commissioned her to do a cat portrait in pastels for a Christmas present. The likeness is spot on even right down to the different coloured eyes of Poppy and when you think of the many hours put in to produce a quality masterpiece, the price was excellent. Our family members were over the moon with poppy's portrait and said it is totally amazing. My profile picture on Facebook is a lion portrait also done by Olivia and I have a print of it in my hallway. If anyone is looking to have an animal portrait commission by Olivia Willoughby you won't be disappointed.

Terry and Jean, UK.

I just love the special picture that Olivia has created for me - it was inspired by an unusual photograph that I took of a male Adonis Blue butterfly and an attendant ant. All the detailed markings are delicately and dextrously executed and yet she has managed to achieve such a light dreamy effect. She was lovely to work with and very keen to achieve what I wanted. She has really put her heart and soul into the picture and the feeling and incredible technical skill shines through in the finished result – I love it!

Noel Pires, Dorset, UK

(The picture was commissioned by Noel as a special present for his wife, Pauline)

The artwork of Buster is truly amazing and friends and family love it! Couldn't be happier with it.

Carol, UK

Since Covid, i haven't seen my parents in Japan for more than two years. So this year i wanted to buy something special for my mum's birthday. Olivia has done an amazing portrait of my son and i am very sure my mum will be over the moon, with a few happy tears when she receives it. Olivia kept me updated regularly and it was effortless for my part. Thank you so much and you are super talented!

Masako Sha, Bath, UK.

I think it is a perfect picture of Nellie, with her expressive ears and soulful eyes and wonderful shiny coat. I am thrilled to hang this on my wall, the likeness is so true, and like me my friends and family are amazed at your talent! Thank you Olivia.

Jo Barlow Poole, Dorset, UK

Liv had an instant rapport with my dogs which resulted in relaxed and happy photos. The final portraits are breathtaking and have captured the character of all three, who are so different. Liv has an amazing talent and her passion for art and animals just shines through. I recommend her unreservedly and shall certainly be back again.

Maureen Cooper, Devon, UK

Wow we are so lucky. Pippi's portrait is amazing. Olivia has captured Pippi's features beautifully. Her colouring and those gorgeous eyes just follow you around the room. The portrait is so good it's hard to distinguish from a photo. Olivia's artistry brings it to life. Thank you again - we most definitely recommend Olivia if you have a best furry friend to paint. This was a thank you gift and it brought a tear to the eye when unwrapped, it is so beautiful.

Annette Cooper, UK

I'm absolutely thrilled with the portrait of Max and Bilbo that Olivia has painted for me. She has caught their characters absolutely brilliantly. The picture almost looks like a photograph. She's extremely talented and i can highly recommend her.

Millie Monk, UK

I have commissioned Olivia twice now - the Whippet and a work composed of four dogs. On both occasions, Olivia has delivered a fantastic result and was an absolute pleasure to work with. The five dogs in total have all been captured beautifully. I can really feel their characters coming off the page. Added to which Olivia was incredibly patient with me and my inability to decide in which direction i wanted to go in! I cannot recommend Olivia highly enough.

Hermione Power, UK

I got the print of the Black Panther and it is absolutely amazing! The expression in his eyes is breathtaking and the level of details is incredible. Olivia is an amazing artist.

Wilhelmina Whittingham, Belgium

Damien Waplington.

I commissioned Olivia to do a portrait of my son. What she gave me was so much more. Thank you so much, you are an extremely talented lady.

Such an amazing artist! We all absolutely love our portrait of our Jack Russell, Rabbit. Such incredible attention to detail. Olivia really captured Rabbit's cheeky personality. Such beautiful work, the portrait almost looks like a photograph! I can't recommend Olivia highly enough. Just wonderful.

Julie Ross, UK

Review for 'Waking from a Dream' (Wildlife Commission)

Thank you so much Olivia! I'm in love with it. It looks so beautiful. I was not expecting it to look so much better in real life than in pictures. And don't get me started on the packaging! It was so good. I've never seen anything packaged so well.

I want to thank you for being so great this whole process. Couldnt have found a better artist. This turned out so much better than i expected and can't thank you enough for it.

Arvan Barzani, Kurdistan.

Oscar the Cockapoo.

As expected, your portrait was the perfect gift! Sarah absolutely loved it and it brought a tear to her eye.

I have never commissioned anyone to do a portrait before and didn't know where to start, until i bumped into someone in the village where i live who recommended Olivia. After taking a look at her website, i made contact and from start to finish, everything was handled so well, without anything being too much trouble. I was kept up to date with the progress and was never in any doubt that the picture Olivia was doing for us, of our pet dog Oscar, was perfect. The detail is amazing! It is the spitting image of Oscar! The talent Olivia holds is second to none! I thoroughly recommend Olivia if you are looking for someone to capture your furry friend for life!

Anthony, Somerset, UK