Pet Portrait commissions are our specialty, and we will work with you every step of the way-- particularly in choosing the source photo or photos. (You can send us either a digital photo online or a printed photo through the mail.) Remember, of course, the clearer the photo the more detail we will be able to see and put in your final painting. The rule of thumb is simple-- if we can't see it well, we can't draw it well. Also, if you care to, it can be helpful to share a little bit about your pet's personality, likes and dislikes to give us a better feel for who we are painting.
I offer both classic charcoal drawings and watercolor & pastel paintings. All of our commissions are drawn and painted 100% by hand with the highest quality traditional art media and no use of computer or digital printing technology! Unlike many 'art factories' you will find online, we do not draw or paint over a scanned and printed photograph!
My drawings are executed in charcoal (not pencil). Charcoal was beloved by the old masters and is the oldest of the drawing media (first seen in fact in cave paintings). Representing pure light and shade in the absense of color, it is the definition of style and elegance. Charcoal works will not crack or tarnish over time and will maintain their tone and texture for generations if properly cared for.
My full color paintings are generally worked in a combination of watercolor and pastel. Each piece is different with some paintings being almost 100% one medium or the other but most a more balanced combination. However it all depends on the subject and how it strikes me. Unlike oil paintings, these watercolor+pastel paintings will not fade or crack over time and will remain for generations just as they are when you receive them.
Whichever medium you choose, your portrait will come to you on either sanded pastel paper or artist (faux) velour paper. Unless you have a strong preference for one or the other we will make the choice we believe best serves the subject. Both surfaces are acid-free and archival. The completed artwork will be spray-fixed to prevent smudging and will come with a certificate of authenticity and care/framing instructions.
So which should you choose-- a drawing or a painting? The classic elegance of black and white or the beauty of full color? There is no right or wrong choice-- it's entirely up to you.
Overall, our style is considered realistic but by no means photo- or hyper-realist. In other words, the artwork clearly remains a drawing or painting with obvious strokes and blends visible rather than being an exact copy of a photograph. In our humble opinion if you want something that looks exactly like a photograph you could save yourself a lot of money just by taking a picture! (Perhaps confusingly, artists often refer to this style of art as painterly-- meaning it is less real than a photograph but not as loose as an impressionist piece.)
The Pricing Table is for a head and shoulders portrait of a single pet-- we will crop your photo to achieve the best composition. However, if you have something else in mind simply email us with your question or for a no-obligation price quote. All portraits will come to you matted and ready to be framed-- which may be done as simply or elaborately as you desire. (The table refers to the size of the actual artwork not including the added dimensions of the matte.)
We accept all major credit cards, Paypal, checks, and money orders. Shipping within the United States is $9.95 by Priority Mail for all sizes listed below. (International commissions welcome-- please inquire for shipping charges to your location.)
CHARCOAL PORTRAIT DRAWINGS
| SIZE (in inches) |
PRICE (US Dollars) |
| 9x12" |
$149 |
| 11x14" |
$199 |
| 12x16" |
$249 |
| 18x24" |
$299 |
| Larger or Smaller |
Please Inquire |
PORTRAIT PAINTINGS
| SIZE (in inches) |
PRICE (US Dollars) |
| 9x12" |
$199 |
| 11x14" |
$249 |
| 12x16" |
$299 |
| 18x24" |
$324 |
| Larger or Smaller |
Please Inquire |
After we've communicated and decided on a reference photo, we require only a 25% non-refundable advance deposit to cover materials costs, etc. before beginning your portrait. Once
the final work is complete, we will email you a proof for your approval (or any final suggested changes) before requesting the payment balance and shipping you your artwork. What if you do decide at that point that you don't want the completed artwork? Then you don't have to pay the 75% balance! (The 25% deposit is not refundable as it has covered our materials cost and a small portion of our time.) However, we are confident this will not be the case! It's all as simple as that!
How long will this take? If you need your painting very quickly for a special gift please let us know and
we will make every attempt to meet your needs. Generally, however, a drawing requires about 2 weeks for completion and a painting up to 4 weeks. The exact timing depends on its size and complexity as well as the number of other commissions, which varies by season and is busiest before the winter holidays. We can give you a better estimate after we've agreed on the source photograph.
Ready to get started or have more questions? Simply drop us an email at brad@Studio1226.com and we'll begin realizing your artwork together!
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