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HOW TO COMMISSION A PET PORTRAITI have tried to keep the ordering process as straightforward as possible - all I need from you are one or more clear photos of your pet or pets and a little information. You may have some questions too, and if you cannot find the answer here please get in touch for a chat and I will do my best to help. If you have a look through the examples shown on this website you will have a good idea of the kind of paintings I do and if this is what you are looking for in your pet portrait. Simply contact me via email, phone or post to start the process! WHAT MEDIUM DO I USE FOR MY PET PORTRAITS - I specialise in watercolour paintings. Watercolour is the most wonderful medium and I use both transparent and opaque techniques. It is incredibly flexible and equally suited to sweeping washes, detailed backgrounds or carefully blended layers of fine fur and feathers!
HOW MANY PETS -
You can have a single pet
or several pets together in the same portrait. The more pets you would like to
include, the bigger the painting will need to be usually.
HEAD STUDY OR FULL BODY PET PORTRAIT - Here are some examples:
single head study Multiple head study Single full body
portrait Multiple full body
portrait WHAT SORT OF BACKGROUND FOR YOUR PORTRAIT - Here are some examples:
Sometimes the simplest solution is the most effective - no background, just the white of the paper. You might prefer a colour wash, which can set of the colouring of you pet. Alternatively you may like to have a detailed background such as a favourite interior or landscape - if this is a real location you will need to supply photos for me to work from, or I can create a setting based on your ideas. Detailed backgrounds usually mean a larger painting, although this obviously depends on what you have in mind. If you are unsure, I will be happy to offer advice. WHAT SIZE - Not always easy to decide! Considerations include available space for the portrait, the number of pets you would like included and your budget, as size does influence cost. After I have seen your photos I will be able to help you with some suggestions if you are unsure. YOUR PET PHOTOGRAPHS - I need one or more clear photos to work from. A good close up in natural light is ideal, with another taken from further back if it is a full body portrait. The more detail I can see the more I can include in the portrait - and as my paintings are very life like, I include a lot of detail!
The
'Photo Tips'
page offers some helpful advice on taking or selecting your pet photos for
the portrait.
PRICES FOR PET PORTRAITS -
I will be able to give you an exact quote when I have all
the details, but currently my prices start at £200. When working out the cost for
you, I need to take into account subject(s), background and size,
together with the photos I have to work from. If you
have a specific budget to work to please let me know and I can offer
advice.
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TIMESCALE - This will depend on my workload at the time of your
order. I am usually working at least six months to a year ahead, so the earlier
you are able to book your portrait the better. If you would like the
painting for a specific date such as a birthday or Christmas, however, please let me
know and I will do my best to rearrange my work list to accommodate
this if at all possible.
Pet Portrait
Gift Certificates
are available as well if this won't be possible or if you would like
the recipient to be involved. PLEASE NOTE I AM UNABLE TO ACCEPT
NEW COMMISSIONS UNTIL LATE 2009.
PET PORTRAIT GIFTS - You may wish to
share your new pet portrait with friends and family, or just have another for yourself! You can order
a print
and greeting cards of your pet portrait from me as well.
Fine Art Prints are produced
on A3 (16.5" x 11.5") watercolour paper using archival pigmented inks for long-lasting quality
(100 years+) and each one is hand signed by me. Archival Prints cost
£25 each.
Greeting cards (6" x 4") are produced on 300gsm glossy
acid free card,
blank inside and supplied with an envelope. Greeting cards cost £2.00
each.
You can
order as many or as few as you like, and rest assured that no one else will
be able to buy them as I oversee the entire process personally and do not
sell prints or cards of privately commissioned pet portraits without my customer's consent - they will
be completely exclusive to you! You can place your order when you make
your final payment for your pet portrait and they will be despatched along with the finished painting
(ordered later there will be an additional postage charge). If
you would like other gift items, including mugs, mouse mats etc, please ask as I
can organise this for you as well through a terrific company that produce some
of my other artwork under license.
Once you have chosen your photos, please
get in touch and
give as much information as you can about the portrait. This is an
initial enquiry with no obligation, so don't be afraid to ask. Anything
you are unsure of I will be happy to help and advise. Please send at
least one sample photo of your pet. I will then be able to give you a quote, including the
shipping cost, based on your requirements.
If you would like to go ahead, you do not have to pay in full when
you place your order as I only require a 25% non-returnable deposit to
secure you place in my work list and allow me to spend time on the
preparation.
When I am ready to begin your portrait I will send you a picture of the
initial drawing for approval. I make every effort to keep you updated while the portrait is being
painted, and I am happy to let you see the work in progress if you would like
this. When the painting is
finished, I will send you a picture of the completed portrait for your
approval by email or post. While I stand by the quality of my work, you are under no
obligation to accept the finished painting.
If you would like to order fine art prints, greeting cards or other
gifts, please let me know before sending your final payment as these
will be shipped along with your painting. You can of course order them
at a later date, but postage will be charged.
All being well, you then send the balance of the
payment and receive your finished painting. You will already have
been advised of the postage and insurance at the time of order, which is by Special Delivery within the UK (guaranteed to arrive the following day by 1pm) and Airsure
or International Signed For to all other destinations (usually arriving
within a week). I have always found both services to be a most reliable
and safe way to send my paintings.
PAYMENT - A 25% non-returnable deposit is required when you
place your order with the final balance due on completion. I accept payment by pre-arranged instalments if you
prefer and the portrait will be despatched when the final payment is
made and cleared (please ask for details if you would like to pay this
way). Payment can be made by Paypal (worldwide) or UK customers can pay
by cheque,
postal order or bank transfer in GB pounds. Original Artwork remains the
property of Tracy Hall until payment is received in full.
AFTERCARE - Your pet portrait will be supplied unframed and ready to
take along to your local picture framer who will be able to help with
your choice of mount and frame. Watercolour paintings must be framed
under glass and mounted ( so that the surface of the painting is not in
direct contact with the glass) and the back carefully sealed. Your
framer will have lots of mouldings for you to choose from, and they
will be able to offer advice on things like 'museum grade' mount board,
double mounts and other ideas to enhance and preserve your painting.
When you get your portrait home, it is best to hang it out of direct
sunlight. I always enjoy seeing a photo of your portrait 'in situ'!
COPYRIGHT - Please note that I retain full rights, including
copyright and reproduction rights, in all my
artwork, commissioned or otherwise. Artwork is commissioned for personal use
only and may not be reproduced or used for financial gain without my
written permission (full terms and conditions are supplied with your
quote). Out of courtesy, I choose not make prints of or license
privately commissioned pet portraits without asking my customer first.
I like to use your pet portrait as an example on my website
and for advertising (prospective customers cannot see what I do
otherwise!), but if you feel strongly that you would prefer me not to
do this please let me know and I will be happy to comply with your
wishes. If you would like prints, cards or other gifts made for yourself, friends or
family from your portrait I am happy to offer this service as well.
All that remains for me to say is thank you for your interest in my
work, do get in touch if you have any questions and I hope to
hear from you soon!
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All artwork copyright Tracy Hall 1997-2008
~ Pet Portraits by Tracy Hall Watercolours Rosebank Burray Orkney KW17 2ST UK ~