Prices for Pet Portraits

I paint portraits in either watercolor or acrylic on Arches cold-press watercolor paper, which has a slightly toothy surface. Prices are for a single pet in the portrait. Detailed backgrounds or multiple pets in the same portrait may be extra. You will receive a matted painting. Portraits are not framed, but fit into standard-size frames.

2-1/2 x 3-1/2 portrait in a 5 x 7 mat $40.00
5 x 7 portrait in an 8 x 10 mat $50.00
8 x 10 portrait in an 11 x 14 mat $75.00

A down payment of 50% is required before I begin a portrait. Please allow 1 to 2 months depending on my schedule and the complexity of the portrait. The above prices remain in effect until January, 2011.

Photographing your pet for a portrait

Close-up photos make the best references for pet portraits. Try to fill the frame as much as possible without blurring.

Take the photos at your pet's level or put him on a chair or a table. Take photos from side and front angles to see which way your pet looks best. If your pet is restless, give him a treat or favorite toy to soothe him, or ask someone to hold your pet.

Photos taken outdoors in diffuse natural light work well. Harsh sunlight may washout the color of your pet. Flash photographs may give your pet red-eye or distort his contours.

Keep the background as light and uncomplicated as possible.

I welcome additional photos for reference, but please mark the one photo on which you want the portrait based. Reference photos should be as large as possible, preferably at least 3 x 5. Remember that the quality of the portrait depends on the quality of the photographs you supply to me.

Your photos will be returned with the portrait. Please note that the artist retains all reproduction rights to the finished painting, and may reproduce the portrait at her discretion.

Rachel
rachel@widgetbluesky.com