Portraiture
Pet Portrait Commissions
One of my specialties is creating commissioned, personal pet portraits! A portrait is a wonderful way to preserve precious memories and create a timeless keepsake. Creating the composition is a collaborative process, where your feedback and decisions are essential to the progression of the painting. Using traditional archival media - oil or acrylic paint, brushes, and canvas – I reference the composition and photos to build up layers and create an original work of art.
Within each portrait, I strive to capture the animal’s unique likeness and individual nature. Providing me with details about what makes the subject special and loved helps me to make a painting that is truly about them. So feel free to share as much as you wish about them - whether or not they are still with us - as a portrait is a beautiful way to celebrate their life.
If you are interested in commissioning a painting of an animal companion or a beloved pet, please take some time to read the information below and shoot me an email about my current availability!
+ Size/Pricing
Prices depend on the size of canvas and the medium you choose and the number of subjects in the canvas. Click here to view the price list for standard sizes. I can provide a quote for any additional size not listed.
+ Medium/Materials
I work with professional quality artist’s acrylic or oil paint. When deciding which you would like me to use, know that they tend to look similar in the end result. However, an oil painting provides a more vibrant color and more apparent texture in the paint itself. Whereas, an acrylic painting has the benefit that it will dry and be complete much faster.
Your portrait will be created on Heavy Duty Canvas with a 1.5” deep profile (with the exception of thin canvas 6x6). The canvas will be ready to hang as is with the edges painted, no framing needed. A layer of varnish is added to protect your art from dust and scratches and provide an even sheen on the painting.
+ Composition
For smaller paintings, I suggest focusing on the head and neck for the ability to really capture the individual details. With larger sizes the full body or multiple pets can be featured, sometimes even toys or other objects can be included.
With the nature of painting I prefer to keep to the poses presented in the photos, allowing for me to most accurately depict the subject and gather the most detail. If you are wanting to get more than one pet in the same painting, I can compose images together, however it takes a bit longer to do so to make sure the lighting and angles make sense.
For backgrounds solid colors, abstract, or detailed are all options. However, detailed backgrounds that are not featured in the selected photo will need to be provided or discussed. They may also cost extra depending on complexity.
+ Imagery
The more detailed your photograph is, the more detailed your final painting can be. Photos of your pet in natural light, preferably in the shade to prevent harsh shadows, work really well.
Crouching to get at your pet's level is helpful for creating good perspective, and this will translate best to canvas. Photographing your pet on a hard surface such as wood flooring, concrete or windowsills is ideal as it allows us to see their paws if doing a full body painting. Remember that the eyes are the most expressive part of an animal’s face!
Also try treats, toys, love and affection to get a great pose! For more tips look here.
+ Timeframe
Please always contact me before placing an order to see what my general turn-around times are. Completion times will vary depending on the complexity of the portrait, the size, and the medium selected. Portraits are completed in the order in which they were commissioned. I urge you to place your order for custom work at least 4 to 6 weeks in advance, but I understand this isn't always possible. If a portrait must be completed by a certain deadline, please get in touch with your timeline, if it requires changing the order of commissions, an additional fee may apply.
Before starting on your portrait, I will send you a pre-painting composition created in Photoshop based on your provided photo(s) for your approval. This is to minimize any major changes once the painting has been started, such as pose or composition. Once I have completed the painting I will send you a digital photograph of your work of art for approval or any final minor adjustments!
+ Booking/Payment
After considering the above information, please contact me via email or contact form on this site with a bit of information about what you are interested in. I will get back to you as soon as I can to start the discussion!
I require payment upfront on all small or medium paintings to begin work. For large paintings I require a 50% deposit upfront to begin work. This is to secure my time and the materials for the portrait.
Payment can be made on a variety basic sizes through my storefront or via a PayPal invoice. If you are interested in a larger work, a work with multiple pets, multiple paintings, or other special requests, a PayPal invoice will generally be the best option.
Once payment is received your spot is secure in my queue and I can begin your painting!
+ Gifting
If you are interested in giving the gift of a pet portrait gift certificates are available for any size painting or a dollar amount towards a painting. Gift certificates expire within one year of purchase.
I offer both physical and digital gift certificates, so please contact me for more information about this process.
+ Shipping
All items in shipped via USPS Priority Mail, FedEx or UPS. Shipping costs are not included in painting prices and can be calculated per painting. Otherwise a flat rate price $20 for small paintings, $35 for medium and $45 -$100 for large is added at checkout*. Thin Paintings include shipping.
In order to minimize environmental impact, your painting may be shipped using re-used packing material and packaging. Though it will still be protected and should arrive safely!
Please note that oil paintings will need a minimum of an extra week to dry before they are ready to be shipped.
*These prices are subject to change at any time.
Please read the Terms and Conditions for additional information.