Capture the Essence of Your Loved Ones with a Commissioned Portrait
Portrait Options
-
Pet Large
Portrait of a dog or cat. 8×10 or 8×8, depending on the composition of the photo. Price: $350
-
Pet Small
Portrait of a dog or cat. 5×7 inches.
Price: $325
-
People Large
Best for recent photos. 8×10 or 8×8, depending on the composition of the photo. Price: $375
-
Ancestor Small
Best for photos of your ancestors or those with lower resolution. 5×7 inches. Price: $325
-
Pair Large
Portrait of you and your pet, two pets, or two people. 8×10 or 8×8. Price: $400
Capturing the Essence of Your Loved Ones
4 Easy Steps:
COMMISSIONS BEGIN WITH AN EMAIL INQUIRY: expressionswatercolour@outlook.com
Send Me Your Photos & Idea
I will Confirm Details & Pay 50% Deposit
After I have verified that your photo(s) is/are suitable for a portrait, I will send you the first invoice for 50% (non-refundable after 5 days). Shipping is extra and will be added to the final payment.
I Create Your Portrait
After I have received the deposit, I will add your portrait to my schedule of commissions and give you an estimated date of completion.
Approve, Pay Balance & Receive Your Art
At this time, I will send a watermarked copy of the painting. You might be able to suggest changes at this point, but they would need to be very minor, as watercolour is a permanent medium.
When I receive the final payment + the shipping fee, the painting will be shipped with tracking information. If you are local, in London, Ontario, pickup may be available.
Further Information:
Sizes available: Large: 8x10 or 8x8 or Small: 5x7
Matted. No frame.
Head and shoulders, unless otherwise specified. Images need to be high resolution for large portraits; otherwise, please choose the 5×7 inches option.
Archival, acid-free 140 lb watercolour paper.
Acid-free double bevelled core matting to create a contrasting border around the subject and protect the painted surface from the glass in the frame.
Painted with Schminke artist’s quality sepia pigment, which has good colour fastness.
Tips for providing photos for your commission can be found in the Shop FAQ.
Prefer to Pay in Full?
Most clients follow the 50% deposit + 50% on completion process outlined above. If you already know what you’d like and prefer to pay the full amount upfront, you’re very welcome to do that instead.
Visit my Online Shop and choose the commission option that matches the size and style you’d like. Add it to your cart, check out as usual, and I’ll be in touch within 2 business days to confirm your photos, timeline, and any special requests.
Whether you start with a deposit or pay in full, the process and care are the same. Select the option that feels easiest for you.
If you have questions, please don’t hesitate to get in touch!
FAQ
-
Archival, acid-free 140 lb watercolour paper
Double matting to create a contrasting border around the subject and protect the painted surface from the glass in the frame.
Pets and people are painted with Schminke artist’s quality sepia pigment, which has good colour fastness
Flowers and Abstract Nature are painted with various artist’s quality pigments, mostly Daniel Smith.
-
Shipping cost will vary by size and location and will be calculated at checkout.
Work will be well protected from bending or folding.
-
If this is to be a commemorative portrait or a surprise gift, send me as many photos as you can, and I’ll see if I can work with them.
Otherwise, Here are Some Tips:
Take several photos so that you can capture the expression that makes your pet so unique, makes you laugh, or melts your heart.
Try to get close up for head and shoulder shots. Taking the shot from close up enables me to see details I wouldn’t be able to find in a more distant whole body shot.
Eye level. Capture them while sitting on a couch or chair, or crouch down yourself. Helps to reduce distortion and ensure accurate facial features.
Avoid straight-on expression. Try different camera angles for greater interest and character.
Don’t worry about the background. I won’t be painting that. The light is more important. The photo should be neither overexposed or underexposed.
The most important part of the photo is the eyes, so being able to see the detail in and around your pet’s eyes is crucial.
One rarely gets a perfect picture, so send several. I often find that one photo will give me the best pose and others will give me different, and often important, details.
Use natural light to ensure accuracy of colour/tone. Artificial light can wipe out details that you know are there, but if I can’t see them, I can’t paint them.
Avoid distortion by stepping back and using the zoom function on your camera.
Don’t take your photo from above. Looking down causes distortion.
-
Commissions take time. After I have verified that your photos are suitable for a portrait and received your deposit, I will add your portrait to my schedule of commissions and provide you with an estimated completion date. Completion times will be slower in the gardening season.
-
I provide mattes because watercolour paintings need protection from direct contact with glass.
It is recommend that you frame them. Have fun choosing a frame that works with your decor..
It is also recommended that you keep any watercolour painting out of direct sunlight.