Procedure

Working With the Pet Owner: Photos & Consultation

When creating a portrait, I use photos of the pet(s) as a guide. It is essential that these photos be clear and show accurate colors and good detail. Please see my special page: Tips for Photographing Pets. I can work from original or digital photos, and I always return your photos with the completed portrait.

The first step of the portrait process is a consultation. You and I discuss your ideas and preferences and decide on the size and style of the portrait. It helps me to already have some photos of your pet in-hand so that I can offer suggestions and better understand your ideas. If you live in the Corvallis area, I can even meet your pet briefly, in order to get to know its behavior and personality - there is a lot I can bring out in my art that does not always show through in a photo.

Portrait Creation

Portraits are available in the following dimensions (in inches): 8×10, 11×14, or 16×20. I paint with Rembrandt soft pastels and Conte pastel pencils (for the fine details) on Canson Mi-Tientes acid-free pastel paper. Charcoal portraits are also available. Close attention is paid to color, value, and texture. I create a well-balanced composition that shows your pet’s unique personality. Upon completion, I apply a clear spray fixative that keeps the particles of pastel pigment or charcoal from dislodging from the surface and preserves the rich colors. The portrait is secured with archival linen tape to a foam core backing and sealed with a sheet of glassine paper to protect it during shipping.

Approval and Payment

At this time I can only accept personal checks. To ensure the sincerity of each commission, I require a check for the full amount before I begin any work. However, I will not deposit your check until you have approved the final portrait. Upon completion of the portrait, I take a digital photo and email it to you for your final approval. If you are happy with it, I will then process your payment and send you your portrait.

Turnaround

The amount of time it takes me to complete a portrait depends on it’s size and the amount of work I have in progress at a given time. An average would be about two weeks; I can give you an estimate turnaround time during our consultation.

A Note About Framing

There are unlimited options for framing, which I feel should be an aesthetic decision made by the client. Mat color and frame color and style are usually selected to complement the design of the room in which the artwork is to be displayed. Your portrait should be professionally framed to protect the painting surface. If you have questions about framing options and services, I can offer suggestions and point you in the right direction.

See my article: “Framing pastel artwork” 

Copyright

I retain full copyright and reproduction rights on all commissioned artwork. No reproductions of any kind can be made without my prior written consent. I take a digital image of each piece of artwork I produce to include in my portfolio, and I reserve the right to exhibit and use these images.