| Fine Art | Portraits | Gift Certificates | Questions How to Commission Fine Art
Contact me and we can discuss the details of what you would like to have done and what the specific cost would be. How to Commission a Portrait
I work from photos to create a portrait of the pet(s) or person(s) of your choosing. The following steps take you through the process of commissioning a portrait. 1. Choose the subject(s)
2. Choose your photographs
3. Choose a portrait style, size and medium
4. Review the following order policies
5. Place your order
6. Review and approve the mockup
7. View the completed portrait online
8. Pay the balance due
9. Receive your completed portrait by mail 1. Choose the subject(s)
Portraits may include one or more subjects. Pricing is based on the number of subjects and portrait size. Please consult the charts. 2. Choose your photographs
You may either use existing photos or take photos especially for the portrait. If you’re unsure of which photos to choose, send them all and I'll let you know which are suitable for creating a portrait. Please note that I return all photos with the completed portrait.
If you’re taking photos especially for the portrait, please follow these guidelines: Photography Do’s and Don’ts | DO take several close-up photos under the following conditions:
• Outside on a sunny day
• At eye level
• With as little background as possible | | DO make sure the coloring is accurate in your photos, as I depict what I see. | | DO take another photo with a different light source if the coloring in your original photo doesn’t look right. | | DO take digital photos on the highest resolution possible. | | DON’T use a flash if at all possible; flash photos can result in glare, loss of details, and red eye. | 3. Choose a portrait style, size and medium
If you need help choosing, contact me with your budget and number of subjects. I’ll provide layout options based on your photos. Portrait style
There are three styles to choose from:
Portrait size
See the charts to the left for size options and prices. All sizes are approximate. Measurements refer to the dimensions of the paper/canvas. Portrait medium/media
Options include:
• Pastel
• Oil
• Acrylic paint
• Watercolor
• Colored pencil
• Pen and ink
• Graphite 4. Review the following order policies
Completion Time
Turnaround times are usually 2 to 6 weeks from the date I receive your order and photos. However, they do vary depending on my current work load. Also, please note that oils may take longer due to drying time. Please let me know if the portrait requires a specific deadline for a special occasion. If the time frame requested is not possible, please consider giving a gift certificate instead. Cancellation
If you’ve placed an order and wish to cancel, let me know as soon as possible. Once work has begun, the deposit is nonrefundable. Please note that a 3% processing fee will be deducted for deposits paid via credit card. Copyright and Acceptable Use Policies
Artwork is commissioned for personal use only and may not be used by customers for financial gain. I retain full reproduction copyright on all my work. 5. Place your order
To officially place your order, please provide the information, photos, and deposit described below. Information
Contact me via e-mail, phone, or postal mail with the following information:
• Portrait Size
• Medium
• Number of subjects
• Any special requests for the portrait (such as a deadline for a specific occasion) Photos
Send me your photos by e-mail or postal mail. Send as many photos as you’d like; the more I see of the subject, the better. If you do send multiple photos, please indicate the pose you want me to depict in the portrait. Deposit
I require a 50% deposit before I begin work. Payments can be made by check or by credit card. Credit Card Payments
Please let me know if you plan to pay with a credit card. I will e-mail you an invoice that will guide you through the payment process. Please note that, although the invoice is via Paypal, you do not need to have an account or sign up with Paypal to pay with a credit card. 6. Review and approve the mockup
After you place your order and send me your photo(s) and deposit, I put together a computer mockup of the composition as it will appear in the final piece and e-mail it to you. If you’re happy with the layout, I’ll start work on you portrait. 7. View the completed portrait online
When your portrait is complete I send you a link so you can view it online. 8. Pay the balance due
The balance is due (the total cost of the portrait minus the 50% deposit) after you approve your completed artwork. Payments can be made by check or by credit card. Credit Card Payments
If you plan on paying with a credit card let me know and I’ll e-mail you an invoice that will guide you through the payment process. Please note that, although the invoice is via Paypal, you do not need to have an account or sign up with Paypal to pay with a credit card. Please note that your portrait does not come framed or matted, although in special circumstances it can be arranged. 9. Receive your completed portrait by mail
Once full payment is received, I ship your portrait and photos to you. Gift Certificates
Do you want to give a portrait as a gift but you've cut it too close or don't have a way of getting the photos without being found out? Does the amount you want to spend not match the price of a portrait? Or do you simply want the recipient to have complete control over their gift? Give a Gift Certificate for any amount towards the cost of a portrait! E-mail me with the monetary amount, your name, and the recipient’s name and I will e-mail you a personalized gift certificate. Each gift certificate is valid for 12 months and can be used towards the cost of a commissioned piece of original artwork. 
Questions
If you would like to discuss a commission or ask questions, I’d be happy to help. Please e-mail me I will get back to you as soon as possible. If you’d prefer to talk by phone, please let me know in an e-mail and I will call you back. So that I can better assist you, please also include the following information in your e-mail: Your phone number
The best time to call you
The question or concern you have | 
