Frequently Asked Questions

I am often asked questions about commissioning a pet portrait, so I thought it would be helpful to put together answers to some of the questions I am asked most frequently. If you can't find the answer you're looking for, please don't hesitate to get in touch.

How do I take care of my portrait?

Pastel Portraits

Pastel is a dry medium, so your portrait should always be kept behind glass to help protect and preserve the artwork. Until it has been framed,

I recommend keeping it in its original cellophane wrapping to prevent accidental damage.

When displaying your artwork, avoid hanging it in direct sunlight or under fluorescent lighting, as both can cause fading over time due to ultraviolet light.

Please take care when handling your portrait:

- Avoid touching the surface of the artwork.

- Never brush or blow on the surface to remove dust.

- Do not apply fixative or varnish without first consulting me.

Oil Painted Portraits

Oil paintings are protected with a clear varnish and do not need to be displayed behind glass.

Stretched canvas paintings can be hung either framed or unframed, depending on your preference However Paintings on canvas boards will require framing.

Over time, it is recommended that oil paintings are re-varnished approximately every 3–6 years however it is not vital if they are kept behind glass.

This is a straightforward process, but please contact me for advice and instructions before attempting this.

How long will my portrait take to complete?

When you place your order, I will give you an anticipated completion date. Although I always do my best to meet this, it should be considered an estimate rather than a guaranteed date. My waiting list is normally around 6–9 weeks, although this can be longer during particularly busy periods.

If you are ordering a portrait for a special occasion, such as a birthday or Christmas, I would always recommend booking well in advance. July through to December is generally my busiest time of year. If you've left things a little late, please still get in touch. I'll always try my best to accommodate your request. Alternatively, gift certificates are available and make a lovely present when there isn't enough time to complete a portrait. Please bear in mind that oil paintings take considerably longer to complete than pastel portraits.

What about payment for my commission?

A 25% non-refundable deposit is required when placing your order to secure your commission and reserve a place in my diary.

The remaining balance is due once your portrait is completed and you have had the opportunity to view and approve a watermarked photograph of the finished artwork. I want you to be completely happy with your portrait before the final payment is made.

I also offer payment plans on orders over £125. These allow you to spread the remaining balance into smaller, more manageable monthly instalments. Please note that all outstanding payments must be received before your artwork is dispatched.

I live abroad. Can you ship outside the UK?

Absolutely! I have sent my portraits to customers all over the world and am very happy to arrange international delivery.

All I need is your full delivery address so I can confirm the postage costs. Please let me know your destination when enquiring or placing your order so I can provide an accurate delivery quote. All artwork is carefully packaged and sent using a tracked and insured delivery service.

What's the difference between pastels and oil paints, and which is best for my commission?

Pastel Portraits

Pastels are a dry medium, which means I can continue building up layers without having to wait for paint to dry. They are particularly lovely for capturing the softness and texture of fur, hair and feathers, creating a beautiful, realistic finish.

Oil Painted Portraits

Oil paints are a wet medium, and each layer needs time to dry before I can continue working on it. This makes oil paintings a more time-consuming process, often taking several weeks to complete.

Oils tend to produce a more vibrant finish, with beautiful depth of colour, while still allowing for an incredible amount of realistic detail.

This is probably one of the questions I'm asked most often! I love working with both mediums, but for quite different reasons.

Both pastels and oils are built up using layers to create depth, detail and realism. However, the way they are worked is quite different.

So, which is best?

Neither medium is better than the other; it really comes down to personal preference and the look you would like to achieve.

Both can produce beautiful, highly detailed and realistic portraits. If you're unsure which to choose, I'd be more than happy to discuss the options and help you decide which would best suit your commission.

Do you offer a framing service?

Unfortunately, I don't currently offer a framing service for commissions.

Pastel portraits are supplied mounted and with a protective backing board, ready for you to have framed.

Oil paintings are supplied on stretched canvas or canvas board, depending on your chosen commission.

What about copyright?

All artwork created by me remains my copyright and is protected by copyright law.

You are very welcome to share photographs of your portrait, including progress photographs and the finished piece, with friends and family. However, the artwork must not be copied, reproduced or used commercially without my prior written permission.

Once you have received your portrait, you are welcome to enjoy and display it, but copyright remains with me as the artist.

If you wish to reproduce the artwork in any way, please contact me first to request written permission.

This protects both my work as an artist and you as the owner of the original artwork. Thank you for respecting this.

Do you have any tips for choosing photographs?

Choosing good reference photographs is one of the most important parts of creating a successful portrait.

The better the photographs, the better the finished artwork! Ideally, photographs should be good quality, clear and in focus, with plenty of visible detail. Close-up photographs showing your pet's facial features and a typical expression or pose are particularly helpful.

Here are a few tips to help you get the best results:

Lighting:

Natural daylight is best. If taking photographs outside, try to avoid direct sunlight and harsh shadows.

Eye level:

When photographing dogs and cats, try to get down to their eye level rather than taking photographs from above.

Facial details:

Make sure I can clearly see the eyes, markings and other important features.

Getting their attention:

If your pet won't sit still, having someone stand behind the camera with a treat or make a little noise can help get their attention.

Horses:

Good lighting is particularly important when photographing horses, so that I can clearly see their features and colouring. For head studies, close-up photographs are best, ideally with the ears looking alert.

Having someone make a noise behind the camera can often help achieve this!

Please don't worry if you haven't got one perfect photograph. I can often work from several different images to help create the portrait.

I understand that some much-loved pets are sadly no longer with us. Please don't worry if your only photographs are older ones; I'll always do my best to work with whatever images you have. One important thing: I do need original photographs rather than screenshots, heavily cropped images or filtered photographs, as these can lose important detail. If you're unsure whether your photographs are suitable, please feel free to send them to me. I'll be very happy to have a look and offer advice.

What is the difference between stretched canvas and canvas board?

Both are suitable surfaces for oil paintings, but they differ in their construction, weight and presentation.

Canvas Board

Canvas board is made using canvas fabric stretched over a solid, rigid backing, typically MDF or thick board. It is much thinner and lighter than stretched canvas. Unlike stretched canvas, canvas board does require framing for display.

Stretched Canvas

Both options provide a lovely surface for an oil painting, so the choice really comes down to your preferred presentation and whether you would like the option of displaying your painting without a frame.

A stretched canvas is made from canvas fabric tightly stretched and stapled over a wooden frame. The wooden frame makes it a strong and sturdy option, and it can be produced in much larger sizes.

The edges of the canvas are painted, meaning it can be displayed

without a frame if you prefer.