Commissions
Each portrait is hand-created using professional high-quality materials in order to preserve the piece for many years to come. These include brands such as Faber-Castell, Strathmore, Arches, Caran d’ache, and Clairefontaine Pastelmat. Many hours are spent on each portrait in order to provide you with a treasured piece of work. It is advised that all portraits be stored behind glass in a frame to preserve the artwork. I do not offer framing due to the potential of accidental damage during shipping that could cause damage to the artwork. *At this time, I only offer commissions in graphite pencil (b&w) or colored pencil.
How to Commission a Portrait
Choose the reference photo you would like me to use to create your portrait. (Please see tips on how to find the right photo below.)
Decide which size you would like the artwork to be.
Email me with your reference photo, size, and any other details such as the date you would like the work completed.
Once we agree on the details, I will send you an invoice via PayPal. A 50% non-refundable deposit is required to hold your spot. PayPal is the only approved form of payment. Cash is accepted if you are local. (I am located near Oberlin, LA.)
It is very important to me that every client is happy with their portrait, and I spend many hours on each one. Please keep in mind that I am not trying to provide you with an exact replica of the photo, but rather a likeness while making it my own. I can provide a progress picture before the completion. Please note that once the artwork is completed, I am unable to make changes due to the nature of the mediums I work with.
Once the portrait is completed, the rest of the payment is due and then I will ship your artwork to you! Tracking is included in shipping and a signature for delivery is required. *If a client is ever unhappy with their final portrait, you are not required to pay the remaining balance and I will retain the artwork.
Choosing the Right Reference Photo
In order to capture the details and personality of your pet or loved one, it is key to have a good-quality reference photo, and I do require one. Choosing one can be tricky, so I’ve tried to make it easier by showing an example of a good and a bad reference photo.
- Natural lighting in a slightly overcast setting is best so I can see the true colors.
- The photo MUST be clear. This is crucial. Tip: If when you zoom in on the photo it gets fuzzy and you can’t clearly see details such as eyes or hair/fur, then it is not a clear photo. Using photos that aren’t clear can make it quite difficult and in the end, I would just be guessing what those details are supposed to look like. This causes a finished piece that you may not be happy with because the details aren’t the same as your loved one or pet. Something will look “off” to you.
- If you are taking photos for reference, ideally you should have your camera set to high resolution (300 dpi is great).
- Use a photo that is a close-up of the subject. If the subject is in the background or further from the camera (such as a group shot), then the details get lost.
- Keep in mind the angle/perspective of your loved one or pet in the photo. For example, photos taken at the same level as your pet tend to look better than when the camera is looking down on them from above.
*If we do agree on a reference photo that doesn’t meet some of these requirements, please keep in mind that it may reflect in the quality of the finished product.
Combining Photos
Sometimes clients wish to have a piece of artwork created of all of their loved ones or pets, but unfortunately, they are no longer able to gather everyone for a photo. In these circumstances, I can use multiple photos to create one piece, provided the reference photos all meet the criteria above. Please no newspaper clipping photos, no photos of a photo, and unfortunately, no very old photos. If there is a mixture of different light sources or perspectives, this will also not be conducive to quality artwork. Please keep this in mind when looking for your reference photos.
Copyright and Prints
As the artist, I retain all copyrights to the artwork and reserve the right to use it for promotional purposes online and in printed materials. If you commissioned a portrait, I will not produce commercial prints in order to assure you that you have paid for a one-of-a-kind piece of art. It is against copyright for clients to replicate or reproduce the artwork in any way or for any purpose. If you commissioned a portrait and would like to have a print made, please contact me to place an order. It is illegal to make a copy without the artist’s permission.
Online Sharing
I do like to share all portraits to my social media accounts and website as this helps me to gain new clients. If this portrait is a surprise gift, please notify me before I begin so I know not to share progress photos or videos. If you do not wish to have your portrait shared online, please notify me and I will respect your privacy.