What to expect when commissioning a painting of your pet
Step 1
Decide what size you would like the painting to be
Size depends on many things! Small pieces make for great gifts or desktop decoration and are more budget friendly. Larger pieces are great for the pet parent that absolutely loves their pet and wants to make them a part of their interior design focal point!
I have standard sizes available here, but I can also accommodate custom sizes. Let’s talk about your specific vision!
Group portraits fit best on an 8x10 surface or larger and you can designate the number of subjects when you purchase on my site. If you have a special request, let me know about your desired number of subjects!
Step 2
We work together to pick good reference photographs
When beginning a portrait, the first thing I need to get started is for you to send me 5-7 photos of your pet. At least 2-3 of them need to be well lit, focused, and have good colors. Although some images are more ideal to work from, and others, less so, it is still better to have an abundance of images to work from. The more, the better!
Good Photo
This photo is strong because the face is very clear, the details are in focus, and the subject has light on one side and shadow on the other. The colors are vibrant, the pose is centered, and the eyes are adorable.
Bad Photo
This photo is very weak. It is dimly lit, too zoomed out, blurry, and the colors are greyed out. The face is so far away, I can’t get a good idea of what the subject looks like.
Step 3
Choose a background style
After we decide upon which image will look best as a painting, I will want to know what kind of background you want. Do you want the background to look just like it does in the image? Do you want a gradient of one or two colors? Do you want it to be a solid color, abstract shapes, or left white?
The possibilities are endless! Take a look at these samples for inspiration.
Step 4
Tell me about your pet’s personality
I also want to know about your little love! What is their name? What breed are they? How long have you or did you have them? What is special about them to you? The more I know about the subject I’m painting, the better I will be able to convey their spirit in the painting. After that, I’m all set to get started!
Step 5
Painting and delivery
Small portraits take very little time, in total 1-2 weeks to send out. It takes 1-2 days of painting, dry time is 3-5 days, then I apply a layer of protective varnish which takes one or two days to dry, and send out.
There are usually other paintings ahead of yours when I begin painting, but I offer rush delivery if you need your piece ASAP. Please let me know if this is a gift, and if you are hoping to get this in at a certain time.
Shipping is included for all U.S. domestic orders, international is additional.
Do you accept payments in installments?
Yes! I want people to be comfortable with making their purchase, and if that is a better option for you, we can discuss it!
Do you do rush orders?
Rush orders are available. Because I have some orders already underway, I can prioritize yours if you are hoping to get your painting as soon as possible.
Do you ship internationally?
Yes, it is at an additional cost, which I will notify you about when it’s time to ship. Each destination has a different pricing depending on the weight and size of the item being sent.
Do you paint things other than pets?
Yes! I paint people, flowers for weddings, and am open for requests for anything else you want! We can discuss further about if I am the right fit to paint your vision!
What materials do you use?
I use oil paint on masonite board, which is a thin board that is stiff and durable. I paint on masonite because it is rigid and doesn’t damage as easily, whereas canvas is flexible which risks warping (shrinking and expanding of the fibers), and hole poking. Masonite is light and thin, and It ships very easily! Also, you have an easier time finding a frame because it is thinner! You can spend less on frames because of this!
Do I need to frame my finished piece?
For hanging, yes! Pieces don’t come with a frame, but because I use masonite board, you will have a much easier time with framing than you would with stretched canvas.
Why do you work in oils?
Oil paint is one of the most gorgeous materials to create paintings with, and I want more people to be able to own their own paintings. When you hear that an artwork is an oil painting, you probably imagine portraits of royalty, historical paintings, and galleries filled with the most famous and expensive paintings of all time. The assumption then is that paintings are unattainable, unaffordable, and rare. I offer paintings that are affordable and attainable to people; and you don’t have to be royalty to have your own oil painting.
How long do oil paintings last?
The coolest thing about oil painting is that it is such a stable material that it can easily last thousands of years! I think this is part of what makes oil painting so special.
Why oil painting over photographs?
Oil paints have a prismatic quality to their colors. Unlike a photograph, there is depth to the thickness of paint. Light goes through the layers of paint, and bounces back, revealing different interactions between the layers of pigments. Just like a cut jewel, light passes through the colors; and depending on the lighting situation and where the viewer stands, you will have different optical experiences of the colors.