Charcoal
A black Lab becomes a study in soft shadow, with the kind eyes kept sharp.
Custom Labrador Retriever Portraits
Endlessly good-natured, food-motivated and sure every visitor came to see them.
Upload a photo of your Lab to see the portrait.
Shown: an example Charcoal portrait
Upload a photoPortraits of Labrador Retrievers
Labs held the top spot on the AKC's popularity list for more than three decades and still sit at No. 2 in 2025. Their story starts in Newfoundland, where their ancestors worked alongside fishermen, before British breeders refined them into the retriever we know. They're friendly, eager and famously hard to photograph without a treat in your hand.
In a portrait, a Lab's charm lives in the broad head, the soft, kind eyes and the otter tail you'll never fit in the frame. Their short, dense coat is simple to paint, which puts all the attention on expression, so a calm, straight-on photo often makes the strongest piece. Black, yellow and chocolate Labs each suit different styles, and a greying muzzle on an older Lab looks especially beautiful in classic oil.
Coat & color
The AKC recognizes black, yellow and chocolate, and yellow ranges from pale cream to fox red. Black Labs need good light to show detail; chocolate glows in warm oil tones.Popularity
No. 2 on the AKC’s 2025 most popular breeds list.Top style pick
Charcoal · A black-and-white charcoal drawing.
Photo tips for your Lab
01Expose for a black coat
Shoot black Labs in bright shade or beside a big window, and look for a sparkle of light in their eyes. A dark face against a bright background turns into a silhouette.02Skip the midday sun on yellow coats
Harsh sun washes out a yellow coat and flattens the face. Overcast days and open shade are your friends.03Hold a treat above the lens
Labs follow food with their whole soul. Hold a treat just above your phone and you'll get the alert, soft-eyed look in seconds.
Styles for a Lab
Chosen for the breed's look and personality, best first.
Labrador Retriever portrait questions
More answers in the FAQ.
Will a black Lab look good in a portrait?
Yes, as long as the photo shows detail in the face. Choose one taken in good daylight where you can clearly see their eyes, not a dim indoor shot. Styles like Oil and Charcoal handle black coats especially well.
Which portrait style suits a Labrador Retriever?
We'd start with Charcoal: A black Lab becomes a study in soft shadow, with the kind eyes kept sharp. Watercolor is a close second: Lovely with yellow and fox-red coats, and gentle enough for a memorial piece. You can try every style with your own photo and pick the one that looks most like your Lab.
What kind of photo of my Lab works best?
A sharp, close photo in soft daylight, taken at your dog's eye level, is the foundation. For a Lab specifically: Expose for a black coat. Shoot black Labs in bright shade or beside a big window, and look for a sparkle of light in their eyes. A dark face against a bright background turns into a silhouette. Skip the midday sun on yellow coats. Harsh sun washes out a yellow coat and flattens the face. Overcast days and open shade are your friends.
How much does a custom Labrador Retriever portrait cost?
Gallery Canvas from $59, Framed Print from $75, Fine Art Print from $35, Digital Portrait $29. US shipping is free on every order, and every print, framed print and canvas includes the hi-res digital file.