FAQs
I get asked lots of questions about different aspects of my pet portrait commissions. You’re always welcome to get in touch but equally you may find helpful answers to some frequently asked questions here!!
General Queries
How do I commission you to draw a pet portrait for me?
The best thing to do is simply get in touch.
In you email me if possible please let me know which package you would like (outlined in my options and prices page) and specify the size, number of pets, and any required completion dates.
How much does a pet portrait cost?
Depending on the size, my pet portraits can cost anything from around £100 to several hundred pounds. This price chart will give you a good idea of how much different sizes and techniques might cost. Having a background or more than one pet in the picture will increase the price. Postage and packaging is extra.
How long will it take you to paint/embroider my pet portrait
It can take anywhere from several hours to several days to complete a pet portrait. It very much depends on the size and complexity of the picture as well whether it is painted or embroidered.
An A4 gouache painting of one dog can take around day while a large A2 painted and embroidered portrait of several dogs can take over a week!
The other factor to keep in mind is pet portrait artists can often in great demand especially in the lead up to Christmas which leads to long waiting lists, so it is worth booking in early!
Can my pet portrait have a background?
Yes, my pet portraits can have backgrounds to them, although the increase in price will reflect the extra work involved.
I would usually recommend a gouache painting if you would like a background.
Please contact me to talk about what sort of background you were thinking of.
What is your turnaround time for a pet portrait?
My current turnaround time is about 4 weeks long.
Sometimes, when my waiting list is not too long, it’s possible to get a smaller portrait quite quickly. It is best, however, to get in touch as early as possible if you have a particular date or timescale in mind.
For Christmas you may need to book up several weeks or even months in advance to be sure of getting a commission in time.
It’s always worth getting in touch and asking though, as you never know.
Reference Photos
What makes a good reference photo?
A good reference photo for a pet portrait artist to work from will be taken in good lighting conditions, with the eyes clearly visible. It will be high resolution so that it shows the fine details.
It should be in focus, and the pet should be in the pose that you want in the final portrait.
Check out my reference photo page for more tips on taking or choosing a great photo.
How many photos shall I send?
The more the better!
It is helpful to highlight your favourite reference photo that you would like me to work from but it is always great to have a selection of extra images, this helps me really capture your pets character and ensure details such as their colouring is correct and consistent.
Can you create a pet portrait from separate images of my multiple pets?
Yes! I absolutely can work from separate images to create your pet portrait however it is vital they are taken from the same angle.
It is also incredibly helpful to have a photograph of all the pets together just to reference their size difference but it is not essential.
However please note if I am woking from seperate images please note this will be more challenging for myself.
Please check out my reference photos page for more details.
Can you use a reference photo for the portrait with part of the pet missing?
I can usually add in small missing parts of your pet it they have been cropped in the reference photo or are obscured by something. Having other photos can help me do this.
Can you add a collar or name tag to my pet portrait?
Sometimes it is possible to add a collar or name tag to a portrait if I have other pictures to work from but please bare in mind this may not be as accurate without a direct photograph to work from.
Can you create pet portraits from an old photo?
One of the most rewarding but most challenging pet portraits to create are when I am working from an old photograph of a much loved but departed pet and creating a detailed, accurate depiction from it.
If you scan in an old photo or take a photograph in good lighting, I would be happy to take a look and see if I can turn it into a pet portrait.