To Commission a Colored Pencil or Graphite Pet Portrait
REFERENCE PHOTOS
Please supply several clear color photographs taken from the animals eye level. Include close-ups of the head. Color, eye color, close-ups, and good lighting are important. You may provide more than one photo of the animal, noting which pose the portrait is to be drawn from, and which shows it's true color and texture. Eye color is extremely important. If you need to provide a different photo to show the animal's true eye color, this will ensure the closest possible rendering. Good quality photos are best, but I can work with most sub-quality photos. Better photographs generally mean more accurate portraits.I will not use photocopies or any other type of reproduction. All photographs will be returned to you, however, my reciept of your photos will release the copyright to me.
THE COMPOSITION
Any animal, or combination of animals, can be placed in the artwork. A study portrait tends to capture the "living personality" of the animal best. A montage can portray different moods, and a piece with more than one subject speaks of the relationship between each of them.
BACKGROUND
Plain, shaded or detailed backgrounds are available. Each one offers its own aesthetic contribution to the artwork. Plain or shaded backgrounds suggest simplicity or isolation, which can enhance a desired mood to the overall composition, while detailed backgrounds really place the subjects right in their element. Backgrounds should be complimentary, and not compete against the viewer's attention to the animal.
ORIENTATION
Deciding whether to complete the artwork in a portrait (tall) or landscape (wide) position, depends on a few things. The animal's height, it's body position, the position of it's head when rendering a bust-type portrait, the total number of subjects, and the background elements. The best orientation will be chosen by the artist after reviewing the photographic pose you have chosen. If however, you have a preference for landscape or portrait, the artist will work with you.
SIZE
The artwork will be drawn to maintain a pleasing balance between the subject and the space surrounding it, while always rendering the subject as large as possible. Multiple subjects on a single work generally reduce the size of each subject, to equalize the space they share. Fine details are best rendered using the larger range of sizes. Available sizes fit standard frames. Bust type portraits of a single subject (head, shoulders and chest area) are available in Graphite or Colored Pencil, down to 5" x 7". All other portrait options start at 8" x 10" or larger. Please refer to price list for size options. MATTING
Matting is available for an additional fee. All matting is acid-free
