Custom Portraits
Thank you for making an inquiry about my portrait commissions.
I am currently taking on new commissions however I can’t guarantee or give a definite completion date, I can only give an estimated date from the point of confirming your booking. I do however aim to accommodate you if you have a deadline to meet, for example if its a birthday present etc.
To book a commission, I ask for a non-refundable 50% deposit. In the unlikely event of me not completing your commission the deposit would be returned to you in full.
The balance will be due on completion.
My pricing reflects the amount of time I spend and the quality of materials I use. I endeavour to produce the best likeness of your vision that I can, regardless of the time this takes me.
My quoted prices below are for one pet per size (head/shoulder) on a plain or blurred background. There is an additional charge for each extra pet included in the portrait.
2 pets ideally are shown to their best advantage on the 40 x 30 cm size (approx. A3)
If you require me to use a detailed background this will incur an extra charge which we can discuss due to the additional time this will involve.
My quoted prices do not include any frames or mounting but the artwork will arrive suitably packaged and protected until you are ready to frame it. Ideally it would be preferable to have the portrait professionally framed as soon as you receive it. The framing does play a significant role in showing off the portrait to its very best advantage and helps to maintain its longevity. Pastel portraits MUST be protected behind glass, art grade is best to minimise reflection and glare.
If you are unable to collect the portrait from me then postage can be arranged and will be an additional cost to be charged accordingly for a service that will provide insurance and a tracking number. This price will be determined at the completion of the commission.
Reference Photos Hints & Tips
I create my work from reference photos of your pet so for me to achieve the best I can and to capture the animal’s personality and character you will need to supply several images if possible that reflect this. The ultimate quality and the fine detail of your portrait is very much reliant on this information so high-resolution photos taken using a camera as opposed to a camera phone will achieve this for us. Ideally, I need to be able to see the eyes and noses in as much detail as possible to capture the true essence of your pet.
1. Try to take photos outside in natural daylight, overcast is better than bright sunlight, or if indoors near to a window or in natural light rather than well lit. Try to avoid using a flash as it can distort the lighting.
2. Try to get the picture of your pet at its eye level, if possible, this is always the very best angle, looking down on your pet, or rather your pet looking up at you, although might look good it is not the best angle for a portrait.
3. Try to get some highlights showing in the eyes, that little catch light of white or grey that accentuates their eyes and gives us the lifelike detail we are wanting. This is what will make the portrait come to “life” literally. Some nice detail of the nose features, a lovely “wet” nose is fabulous.
4. You won’t get the perfect shot straight away so patience will pay off, take lots of shots, and use treats to entice the pet to look to the camera, use someone else to help you achieve this.
5. Keep relaxed and try to not stress over the perfect shot, let your pet’s true personality shine through and be as natural as you can with it.
6. Once I have a selection of images to look through, we can discuss together what would give us the best results, but ultimately you know your pet the best so if a particular pose stands out to you and you want it then I will endeavour to work with your decision.
7. I ultimately reserve the right to not take on the commission however if I feel that the reference photos provided aren’t suitable for me to work from.
8. When you send the photos to me send them in their original format, uncropped or edited as this will decrease the size and resolution of the images. Send them as an attachment to me, if too large to attach to an email, then use WE TRANSFER, a free online service that enables you to email me any size files.
Prices - for Head & Shoulders Portraits
Portrait Size
24 × 30cm Single Head and Shoulder (1 animal) £250
30 × 40cm Single Head and Shoulder/ Single Full Body (1 animal) £300
30 × 40cm Double Head and Shoulder (2 animals) £350
To book or make an inquiry about a commission, please contact me via email or complete the contact me form.
I hope that this has been of interest to you and look forward to helping you cherish your pet(s) with a beautiful portrait that will be a keepsake for many years to come.
Thank you
Wendy
