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.