Charcoal Pastel Pet Portrait Artist - Reno, NV
With over 25 years of artistic experience, Rita Foster captures the soul and spirit of animals through her finely detailed charcoal and pastel drawings. Her work is celebrated for its expressive line work, producing intricate textures through her own crosshatching style, and bringing each subject to life with a high level of realism.
Specializing in custom pet portraits and wildlife art, Rita combines precision with a deep love for animals. Her charcoal pieces emphasize bold contrast, while her three-toned pastel drawings explore a more subtle interplay of light. She also offers full-color pastel portraits, carefully layered to achieve rich, vibrant finishes—all sealed with a non-toxic fixative to ensure lasting beauty.
Whether you're looking to commemorate a beloved pet or add an animal portrait to your space, Rita's work reflects her dedication to quality, craftsmanship, and emotional depth.
Pricing Packages
Detailed charcoal drawing portraits on Canson Mi-Teintes paperboard.
Detailed charcoal drawing on Canson Mi-Teintes paperboard.
Detailed charcoal portrait on Canson Mi-Teintes paperboard.
A detailed charcoal drawing on Canson Mi-Teintes paperboard.
How do you serve precious pets?
- Animal Portraits
- Pet Portrait Art
- Custom Pet Portraits
What part of the animal kingdom do you serve?
- Alpacas
- Birds
- Cats
- Chickens
- Chinchillas
- Dogs
- Ducks
- Ferrets
- Fish
- Frogs
- Gerbils
- Goats
- Guinea Pigs
- Hamsters
- Hedgehogs
- Horses
- Lizards
- Mice
- Parrots
- Rabbits
- Rats
- Snakes
- Turtles
What year did you begin serving pets?
2008
Distinction
Customer Reviews
My friends and I commissioned Rita to create a color pastel of my friend’s dog who had recently passed, based on a photo of the dog. Rita was super professional and made sure that she addressed our wants and needs for the portrait. The portrait she created is absolutely stunning. My friend said of the piece, “it looks even more tangible than the photo”. I highly recommend Rita- the details in her work are outstanding and she has a keen ability to represent the spirit of the subject through the pieces she creates. Thank you so much, Rita!
- Lauren TPet Pro's Response:
I fully enjoyed drawing this mini portrait of Toby! I hadn’t used color pastel in quite some time but I am so pleased with the outcome. Even more pleased to have been chosen as the artist for such a special project. Thank you again, Lauren!
- Rita FosterI can not recommend Rita enough. I was looking for a way to memorialize a very special GSD that we lost way too soon to cancer. Rita captured every ounce of her... so much so that it feels as though little Jettie is sitting with us in our living room right now. Rita made the process so easy and, even though she was going through a major move, she finished the piece in what I considered record time - especially given the amazing results. She even helped me get a print made so I can gift that to her original family. Loved working with Rita and I will definitely be using her again!
- Ashley SHow do you serve precious pets?
- Animal Portraits
- Pet Portrait Art
- Custom Pet Portraits
What part of the animal kingdom do you serve?
- Alpacas
- Birds
- Cats
- Chickens
- Chinchillas
- Dogs
- Ducks
- Ferrets
- Fish
- Frogs
- Gerbils
- Goats
- Guinea Pigs
- Hamsters
- Hedgehogs
- Horses
- Lizards
- Mice
- Parrots
- Rabbits
- Rats
- Snakes
- Turtles
What year did you begin serving pets?
2008
Customer Reviews
My friends and I commissioned Rita to create a color pastel of my friend’s dog who had recently passed, based on a photo of the dog. Rita was super professional and made sure that she addressed our wants and needs for the portrait. The portrait she created is absolutely stunning. My friend said of the piece, “it looks even more tangible than the photo”. I highly recommend Rita- the details in her work are outstanding and she has a keen ability to represent the spirit of the subject through the pieces she creates. Thank you so much, Rita!
- Lauren TPet Pro Response:
I fully enjoyed drawing this mini portrait of Toby! I hadn’t used color pastel in quite some time but I am so pleased with the outcome. Even more pleased to have been chosen as the artist for such a special project. Thank you again, Lauren!
- Rita FosterI can not recommend Rita enough. I was looking for a way to memorialize a very special GSD that we lost way too soon to cancer. Rita captured every ounce of her... so much so that it feels as though little Jettie is sitting with us in our living room right now. Rita made the process so easy and, even though she was going through a major move, she finished the piece in what I considered record time - especially given the amazing results. She even helped me get a print made so I can gift that to her original family. Loved working with Rita and I will definitely be using her again!
- Ashley S🎨 About Rita Foster
Rita is a professional animal portrait artist serving Reno, NV, Washoe County, and nearby areas like Sparks, Sun Valley, Spanish Springs, Fernley, Truckee, Dayton, Incline Village, Verdi, Cold Springs, Silver Springs. Specializing in capturing the personality, expressions, and unique traits of dogs and cats, Rita creates one-of-a-kind portraits that become cherished keepsakes for pet owners.
💻 Virtual Consultations Anywhere:
Even if you live outside Reno, Washoe County, or Sparks, Sun Valley, Spanish Springs, Fernley, Truckee, Dayton, Incline Village, Verdi, Cold Springs, Silver Springs, you can schedule a virtual consultation to discuss your pet’s personality, preferred style, and favorite poses. This ensures a personalized portrait experience from the comfort of your home.
🌟 Expert Insight:
“Every pet has a story to tell. Our goal, here at PetWorks, is to bring that story to life through art. Capturing their quirks, expressions, and essence is what makes each portrait special.” - Kevin Kinyon, Co-Founder, PetWorks.
🐾 Why Choose Rita Foster:
Realistic, stylized, or playful portraits tailored to your pet
Works with both dogs and cats
Focus on emotional connection and personality, not just appearance
Digital and physical formats available
💡 Tips for a Great Animal Portrait:
Share multiple photos highlighting your pet’s expressions and personality
Point out favorite behaviors or quirks for the artist to capture
Participate in the virtual consultation to guide the portrait process
❤️ Celebrate Your Pet Today
Commission a one-of-a-kind animal portrait from Rita Foster in Reno, NV, or nearby areas like Sparks, Sun Valley, Spanish Springs, Fernley, Truckee, Dayton, Incline Village, Verdi, Cold Springs, Silver Springs, and create a lasting tribute that reflects your pet’s personality, charm, and spirit 🐾🖼️.
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