Dear pet owner/friend
Thank you for your interest in commissioning a portrait from me. The following are a few details regarding information to give me about your pet.
Photographs and sketches
I work mostly from photographs, but to give the most lifelike impression of your animal I feel it best to have several views of him or her, even though only one view will be shown on the final portrait. I would be grateful if you could send two or three photographs showing the animal in different poses. If you wish me to base the portrait on just one photograph, please specify this on the enclosed order form.
If you live in London (zones 1–6) I can also come to you and do some preliminary sketches of your animal from life, at no extra cost. I can include these in with the final work if you wish.
Sorrie, sketches from life
Significant details
On the request form I have included a section asking for further information about your pet. Important details include whether you want a head or a full-body portrait, and what you would like your animal to be doing (sitting, standing, galloping, etc.) If you wish, you can also add your own description of the animal’s character. I have found in previous commissions that this has provided a valuable source of information about behaviour and about what the animal means to their owner or friend – things that do not always come across in a photograph.
How I work
Once I have received a request from you, I will e-mail you so we can discuss which pictures you wish to use and whether you would like me to do any sketches from life.
I start with a couple of sketches – even if I am working from just one photo. I will also plan the pose for the picture. I will then usually do a rough of the final picture. At this stage I can e-mail you a copy so you can comment and ask me to amend anything as necessary.
Tess (head), colour sketches
Once you are happy with the rough, I will go ahead with the main picture. This will take a couple of weeks for a pencil or pastel work, and about a month for an oil painting.
I can send you a scanned photo when I am close to finishing, so you can see how it is coming on.
Please note: once I have finished an oil painting, it will need to dry for another four to six weeks before the work is dry enough to post.
Payment and delivery
I would be very grateful if you could send 25% of the price when you place your order, and pay the balance within 28 days of the date when you receive the finished portrait.
Please allow at least 28 days for an unmounted portrait and 35 days for a mounted portrait. I will enclose an invoice for the cost of the portrait.
I can accept PayPal or cheques.
I do not usually send framed paintings through the post, but I can arrange framing if you wish.
