How to Order a Portrait
If you have decided to get a portrait of a loved one, there are a few steps you need to take into consideration. On this page I will help you all the way, and give you any information you may need. If you still have questions, feel free to contact me and I will help you on your way.
The Process
When you have decided that you want a personal portrait you contact me and send me some photos of the animal/person. We will then agree on a suitable one for the medium and size, and I would like to know a little about the object. Then I charge half the total sum of the portrait to be transferred to my account.
This is the point where you ask all of your questions and give me some pointers like: what would you like emphasized, is there anything I should leave out/change, would you like a background, etc.. Because after this point I start sketching, and when I have begun, there is very little to be changed. Throughout the process I post pictures of the portrait on my Facebook page, and that way you can keep an eye on your order.
When I am done I send you a picture of the finish drawing/painting for your approval. If you want minor changes I am happy to do so, but at this point, only few things can be changed.
When you are satisfied with the portrait you send the rest of the money to me, and I mail you the portrait. If you live nearby, you are very welcome to stop by and pick it up yourself.
Photography Tips
I draw and paint from a picture sent to me digitally, and therefore you have to send me a good reference picture. The better the photo, the better the portrait.
Here are some things you should have in mind when taking a photo or browsing through your existing ones:
1. Good quality. The picture should be sharp and I should be able to zoom a lot without the picture getting pixelated.
2. Photograph in daylight. The best photos are the one with a good and natural light. If the picture is too dark or too light I can't see the details and will have to guess. This will not make a good portrait.
3. Your pet should have open eyes and look alert. A good trick is to have e partner waving something exciting behind you, that will catch the animals attention.
4. Send me several photos and a description. I would like if you could send me a variation of photos to look at, so I get a sense of the personality of the animal. Then explain to me which one you would like as the portrait. It is also a good idea to write some short notes on what the animal is like, so I can try to capture this in the portrait.
5. Never mind the background. Don't mind the background of your photo unless it is something you want included. If not, I don't even look at it.
Choosing Medium and Size
Some of the first things you think about when ordering should be what kind of look you want. Take a look through the Mediums and find something that suits you. If you are unsure, speak to me about it, and we will find the right medium for you.
Next thing is the size. Obviously the bigger the portrait, the larger the price, but you need to consider where you would like the portrait to hang on your walls, and what size would fit. This is a personal matter, but generally the bigger the paper/canvas, the more room there is for details.
Delivery
When you have contacted me and we have agreed on a reference photo, I should be able to complete it within a month. This of course, depends on the numbers of commissions I currently have, but I will give you an estimated delivery when I get started.
When the portrait is finish I will send it to you in a cardboard tube, to protect the portrait. The price of shipping depends on where you live.