FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Here I have collected some answers to frequently asked questions regarding commissions.
Material & Process
I use nothing but the highest grade archival materials in creating my artwork and my pencils conform to ASTM D-6901 international lightfast certification and a 100% acid-free archival paper.
These brands include:
- Pencils & pastel: PanPastel, Faber Castell Polychromos, Caran D’ache Luminance, Pablo and Museeum, Derwent Lightast, Studio
- Support: Clairefontaine Pastelmat, Fabriano Artistico 100% cotton paper, Legion Stonehenge 100% cotton paper
You are welcome to read more about the materials here
The time it takes to finish a portrait after I have started working on it depends on the size, number of subjects and if background is to be added. On average, the medium size portrait (A4, approx. 8×12″) can take 5-10 days to complete for a head and shoulder portrait without any details in background.
In addition to portrait completion time I normally have a waiting list. Upon contact, I will provide you with the estimated date I can complete your portrait including delivery time which depends on your location worldwide. In Europe the package is normally delivered in less than one week, and in US & Australia in less than 10 days, but it also depends on the season, eg. Christmas when deliveries are slower.
If you are needing your portrait by a specific date, let me know so I can check if it is possible.
Yes, I will provide you with progress photos as well as post the progress of the artwork on my social media.
If your portrait is a surprise gift then please let me know in advance and I will not post on social media until it is gifted to keep the surprise. Once the portrait is finished I will email you a watermarked image for your final approval. Once you have approved your portrait and final payment has been received it will be sent to you.
Your Reference Photos
I usually work from your favorite photo. To ensure I get the best likeness, it helps to have supplementary photos or even video. It can be hard to capture the personality of someone you haven’t met and, although you know the person/pet intimately, I will base my work solely on the images supplied. See my guide to choosing a great pet photo.
The better the input, and more detail I can see, the better the finished result.
I need to see the photo to be sure, but I will work from poor photos when possible. I realize that many portraits are memorials, but please understand that your portrait will be slightly less detailed.
Of course! Please note that the portrait size needs to be at least Medium for additional pets.
I can work from separate photos, no problem. There is no need for all of them in one single photo.
Yes of course. Sometimes you may want to remove a collar or add a favorite toy which is no problem. If hidden/cut parts of the body is to be added it might be more difficult, but often doable. Let me know what you have in mind, and I will let you know if it is possible.
If you have any special requests, please provide me with additional reference pictures and/or explain your request and I can provide a mockup for you.
Care of my artwork
You will receive your portrait with a sheet and/or cellobag to protect the surface and your artwork may shed a few particles of pigment when new. This is normal. Please do not attempt to rub, as you may mar the surface of your portrait. Store your unframed portrait flat with the sheet/cellobag until you take it to your framer, or insert it into a standard frame yourself.
You should choose a dry place indoors out of direct sunlight to hang your portrait after it is framed. An interior wall without nearby windows is ideal like bedrooms, sitting rooms and hallways. Sunlight, even filtered through a window, is the enemy of all fine artwork. It degrades paper and canvas and may fade pigments.
Dampness may damage paper and even allow mold to grow on paintings. Avoid hanging your fine artworks near showers, tubs and kitchen stoves.
You want acid-free, archival framing materials. Do not spray any sort of fixative or coating on your portrait or allow your framer to do so. Coating or fixing may change the colors in your portrait, or damage the paper.
Do not touch the painted surface. Putting fingers or other items on top of the portrait or allowing it to be rubbed or flexed will damage the surface. Keep it flat, supported from underneath and facing upwards to protect the surface until you have framed it.
The artwork should not to touch the glass, and you should frame it with a mat (passe-partout), or spacer strips between the glass and the artwork so it leaves a small gap between them.
You can frame it in a standard frame, but to fully protect and preserve your portrait you should take it to a professional framer. It will be a little more expensive than doing it yourself, but they will give good advice regarding the choice of frames and mounts, and use of good-quality materials to protect the paper.