commissions

about the portraits

My pet portraits are hand painted in acrylics on heavyweight illustration board (a heavy paper surface mounted on a rigid cardboard backing).

I currently offer head and upper body on a simple color background in two sizes, and a super close crop of the face only, in a smaller square format. Featuring the head and upper body allows me to concentrate my efforts on the face, and focus on capturing the pet’s personality.

 

Below are details on how to commission me to do a portrait of your pet.

PROCESS

l work from photos provided by the client (high quality prints or preferably digital photos). The portrait/pose will be based on one main photo, referring to additional photos for markings, coloring and other details. The more images provided, the better.  Please see the section on photography tips. Aside from doing a special photo shoot of your pet for the portrait, a pet’s Instagram account is a great resource, as I spend a fair amount of time studying photos, getting to know the pet’s personality and his/her quintessential expressions. Unless the client requests that a specific photo be used, I will choose from among the available photos, which in my judgement, would make the strongest portrait. 

 

I will show the final pencil drawing if the client wishes to see it, but it will be primarily for getting a sense of positioning, scale, crop, etc. Otherwise, I normally proceed to the finished painting.

 

Portraits receive a couple coats of protective varnish. In addition to receiving the original painting, the client will be provided a high resolution digital file (scan of the painting).

PORTRAIT SIZES

SINGLE PET – Head and upper body

8”x10” image on 11”x14” board*
11”x14” image on 16”x20” board*

SINGLE PET – Super close crop of face only
(ears all or partially cropped; see gallery for examples)

6″x6″ full bleed (board cut to 6×6; image goes to edge of board)
or
6”x6” image on 10”x10” board*

MULTIPLE PETS (in one painting) – minimum size 11″x14″

(Recommend maximum three pets per painting)

*Paintings are done on a larger board to accommodate matting and framing by client. The image is painted with a little extra all around to allow for overlap of the mat. The 6”x6” size with full bleed image (filling entire area) can be framed without a mat or displayed in a floating frame.

PRICING & DEPOSITS

Please contact me for current pricing.


While I have established pricing on the different portrait sizes, I may take into consideration, any additional complexity due to breed of pet, availability and quality of photos, etc.

 

Sales tax (if applicable) and shipping are charged separately.

 

I request a 50% deposit to initiate the commission. The balance is due upon completion, and prior to shipping of portrait. I use FedEx to ship within U.S. and to Canada.

TURNAROUND TIME (estimated)

6×6 – 3 weeks
8×10 – 4 to 5 weeks
11×14 – 5 to 7 weeks (multiple pets may take longer)

Turnaround times will vary depending on how busy my schedule is. It is best to contact me early (at least two months prior) if the painting is a for a gift or an event.

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