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Portraits Frequently Asked Questions
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Hopefully the questions below will help you with any queries you may have. if you would like to ask any further question don't hesitate to email at any time.
The questions below are just a few popular ones that we have been asked over the years. If you have any questions that haven't been answered here just drop us a line and we will be more than happy to help.
I would like to commission a painting or drawing, what's my first step?
If you have decided on your requirements you can purchase your portrait via the buy now buttons. If you are purchasing a portrait for a gift, gift vouchers are always the best route and these can be sent in the mail, or electronically.
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Do you work from photos or real life?
We always work from photos and return any hard copies with the finished artwork.
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Can I email images?
Yes, sending your photographs via email is the safest option, and quickest. If you are sending digital images, please send them in a jpeg format at the highest resolution.
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What size images shall I email?
Often when you email photos your email client will resize them for you. If this is the case, send only a few at a time, and try to override the 'reduce photo size setting'. This should insure we receive the original size photo from the camera.
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How many photos should I send?
The more photographs you can send the better. We work from one main photograph for all subjects however do like to have others to refer to. If you are commissioning for an animal portrait, please indicate which photograph best represents your pet, and which you would like me to work from. Also let me know which depicts his/her true colouring. The more information we have, the more we have to work from.
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What quality of photograph do you need?
The better the quality of photograph, then the better the finished painting or drawing will be. Photographs should be clear, in focus with the subject occupying the majority of the frame. Photographs showing subjects in the distance aren't usually good enough to work from.
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What are the differences between mediums?
We create portraits in graphite pencil, pastel, and oils. To help you decide why not email us your photos and we will be able to give you our professional opinion.
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Can I have a background?
Yes, backgrounds can be completed in all mediums.
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I would like two subjects in one painting. Can you work from two separate photos and combine into one?
Yes, even if you would like five or six pets in the same portrait its always best to photograph them individually. If you can photograph them using the same light source this would be helpful.
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How long will it take to complete the painting or drawing?
We are both working to around an 5 to 18 week timetable depending on the time of year and the medium you require. Below are some of our average turn around times -
Pencil Drawings - 5 weeks
Pastel Paintings - 8 weeks
Oil Paintings - 14 to 18 weeks
We work on a first come first served basis however we do try to meet special dates. Please let us know as soon as possible so that we can organize our schedule. Alternatively we have a wonderful pet portrait gift voucher and gift webpage service. Please email us if you would like any help.
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Can I see my portrait before you send it to me?
Yes, On completion of your portrait I will email a photograph or scan to you for your approval. Oil portraits can also be viewed at various stages as it progresses on the work in progress pages.
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How much will my portrait cost?
There are many options and you can see a price guide on the prices page. If you would like to discuss your needs please email us for a quote.
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When do I pay?
All portraits can be paid for securely in our pet portraits online shop. If you reside in the UK you can send a cheque made payable to melanie Phillips or Nicholas Beall. Please email us for our address.
If you know exactly what you require everything is laid out for you in the shopping cart so that you can add the portrait size and medium / background / montage/ frame / prints etc and purchase everything at once.
If you are unsure of what you would like, you can pay a deposit in the shopping cart area to secure your place in the client list. We can then discuss your commission.
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How Much is Postage and Packing?
Postage worldwide is £15 to £30 depending on the size of your portrait. Prices are calculated in our Pet Portraits Shopping cart. You may add your items to the cart and it will give you the total postage cost.
UK portraits are sent Special Delivery and Parcel Force and all overseas portraits are sent Airesure, International Signed for and Global Standard Parcel Force. Local clients can either pick their portrait up or if close by we can sometimes deliver depending on the distance.
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How is my painting or drawing sent?
Artwork is be securely packaged with bubblewrap and gallery standard packaging. UK parcels are delivered using Royal Mail's Special Delivery service, and any overseas parcels are sent via International Signed For or Global Parcelforce. If you would prefer your portrait fedexed, we can arrange this for you, however clients must pay for the shopping costs before the portrait is sent.
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Can you frame my painting or drawing?
yes! We have a wonderful array of frames available. We use the best craftsman framer and materials and you can read more about this service in our framing section.
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Can I order a Gift Certificate or gift voucher?
Yes, we have professionally printed cards with our artwork on to give as gift vouchers, or we create gift voucher webpages which include photos of your pets/animals/subject, messages from friends and family, message from either myself or Nick. This is all in a safe and secure area that is password protected. For more information please take a look at our giftvoucher section and you can email at any time.
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Can I use my painting or drawing for my business, or print it for friends and family?
We retain the reproduction rights on all of our original art work. You hold the copyright on your photo that we work from, however we retain the copyright on the artwork created from that image.
If you are looking to commission a piece of artwork for business use, please contact us to discuss your options. We also have printing facilities in the studio and you can order prints of your portrait for family and friends at any time.
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Will you be displaying our painting or drawing on your web site?
Yes, the majority of our work will be displayed on our website. If clients are unhappy about their painting or drawing being displayed on the website, they must let us know in the terms from upon ordering.
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