Bespoke portrait info

Artwork can be commissioned for special occasions such as birthdays, anniversaries, surprises and also as memorials of a beloved pet. All I need are some great photos, preferably with the animal looking at the camera (see tips below). Please message or email your favourite photo/photos of your pet.

Once I’ve received the photos, we’ll confirm the size you would like your portrait and any other specifics and put you on my list. I work on a ‘first come, first served’ basis and I will contact you to let you when I am one painting ahead so that you have a rough idea of when you can expect delivery. It will take a little longer if you require the painting to be varnished. I send progress pictures whilst I’m working and ask for 50% upfront and the balance on completion prior to dispatch, to be paid through paypal or bank transfer. Postage is charged at whatever the parcel weighs on the day at the post office or you can collect if you prefer and are local to me.

Gift vouchers are also available, if you would like to treat a friend or family member. These are a nice option if you’d like to buy someone a portrait commission, but you think they would enjoy being involved in the process, if they are local to me we can arrange a time for me to take pictures to work from.

FAQ

What makes a good photo for a pet portrait?

• A photo that is in focus with the pet close in the frame and that really captures your pet’s unique personality and character, try and get that quirky head tilt when you say your pet’s trigger word like “Squirrel” or “treat”! - they must be clear photos showing the true colour of your pet’s fur and eye colour. The more detailed, the better! Get down to your pet’s level, rather than taking the photo looking down at your pet.

• Take lots of photos with the camera focused on your pet when they move. The more you take the more choice you will have and can discard a few out-of-focus pictures.

• Send as many as you like, so that I can get a sense of your pet’s character, and I will be able to choose the one I think works best. Kneel down to their level or put them on a table or stable surface to give you a better vantage point to take photos. Take the pictures (in natural light) outside on a clear day, then the pictures will pick up all the details in their fur.

• If you are using a digital camera it may have a ‘half depress’ on the shutter button to focus prior to taking the photo, or if on a mobile phone tap on the screen to refocus before you take the picture. Don’t zoom on your mobile phone as this makes the photos a lower quality. Please send me the original size image, not a screen capture.

• Collar or no collar? – it’s hard for me to remove tack or collars, so if you would like your portrait without, then ideally take the photo without it on.

• If there are to be multiple animals in the painting then you can take separate photos using the guidelines above and I will paint them into the same portrait.

Please note that as the artist I retain the copyright for all artworks I produce, including pet portrait commissions. This means that I may choose to create prints from your painting or drawing. If this is something you are not comfortable with please let me know prior to my starting your commission.