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Sue
Linton
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Commissioning an Artwork
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What's involved in commissioning a painting? When you decide to commission a painting phone or email me to talk about your needs . I paint from photos. If you have any photos you can email your favourites to me and I can tell you if they will be suitable to paint from. Send them through unreduced / at best quality so I can see if they will enlarge adequately without becoming blurry. If you have a lot it is probably best to copy them to a CD and mail them to me. Email me & I'll send you an address. If you are local and need photos I can come and take suitable ones for the painting. I am often booked several months ahead so it is advisable to order early especially if you need the painting by a particular date. Commissions are usually scheduled on a first come, first in basis ,so plan ahead for that special date but it is still worth checking with me as occasionally I get held up waiting on photographs for a commission and I may be able to fit yours in while I wait. Once you have ordered you can decide on sizes medium and other options at leisure secure in the knowledge that your painting will be ready when you require it.
I always work from photos, which I can take if you are local or you can send to me. Reference photos - The better the reference the better the portrait! You will have your portrait for a lifetime or more so we want to make sure it is the best portrait possible. If I am painting from a happy photo I can make your pet look happier but I can't make a sad one look happy! When they smiles the whole face shape changes. If I try and use a sad photo and just put a happy mouth on them it will look strange and probably won't look like them. So take the time to get a nice flattering photo for your portrait. I can come and take some if you are local. PHOTO TAKING TIPS It's best to have 2 people. Tie your pet up on a 3'-4' lead. Get about 6 -7' away from your pet at their level so you are looking them in the eye. We don't want a photo looking down on your pet. Have a friend get behind you AT YOUR LEVEL with some tibbits or a toy and get them to do whatever it takes to get your pets attention. Your pet should be looking at the camera as your helper is crouched behind you ( warn the neighbours that the weird noises coming from the backyard are only you trying to get your pets attention..LOL's) Put your camera on best quality photos and if you have it use multi shot or sports setting so that the camera keeps taking photos for as long as you hold the button down. I need your pet to be filling the photo not a little blob in the distance so for a head portrait just take head & shoulders. For a full body portrait don't get much background. click here to see the type of photo that are best for portraits Take 100's of photos. Go through and select your favourites to email through at best quality. If you have more than a few photos email me for my address and you can post a disc. Avoid using a flash if possible as the eyes will generally be 'flashed out ' (red eye) . I can make up the eyes but you will get a better portrait if the reference photo shows their colour etc clearly. Best to take photos in a bright place. An overcast day is good or if you are taking them outdoors just make sure there aren't any large shadows across the face etc. If you need more help Email me and I can help you with tips.Remember if you are local I can come and take suitable photos. I realise that it isn't always possible to get perfect photos especially if it is a postumous portrait. In such cases I will do the best I can and you will still get a nice portrait but not as good as if we had better reference. See posthumous portraits for examples of portraits I have done.
Send me your favourite photos but also add additional photos as I use them to get a more complete idea of your pet and this helps me to capture it's personality in the painting. Choose photos that you feel capture their personality .Ideally your photos need to enlarge to about A4 size sharply and show the structure of the head plus details and the colour of the eyes and the nose. I can work from less than ideal photos but the better the reference photos the better the portrait will be. If more than one animal is to be in the painting I can advise you which of your photos will fit together to produce the best painting. I only work from the one chosen photo of each pet for the pose although I can use other photos to help me with colour etc.. (I can add a group of pets together from individual photos). You can email me your photos at any time, send them at the highest resolution possible, or mail them to me as prints or on a CD. Please keep copies in case they go astray in the mail - rare , but it does happen. Your photos can be returned if you wish.
Mock-ups to help you visualise the final painting
If you decide to change the concept of a painting part of the way through the process there may be a fee involved to cover the time for work already done. i.e - If you originally decide to do a painting of animals in a complex painting - animals in a setting or several animals put together from different photos where mockup photos need to be done but then decide to get a simple one pet painting done.
Sketch Once you decide on the concept I prepare a sketch which I will email to you . If you require any changes they can be made here. Painting Once the sketch is approved your commission begins. Once completed I will show you a photo of the portrait with any suggested framing and it is here that you can request any minor changes. Any major changes would have been picked up at the sketch stage. When you are satisfied I will ask you to sign a sheet or email me that you are happy with the portrait and we organise payment and delivery.
I pride myself on providing quality unique paintings .Because I consult with you at each stage my process ensures that you can relax , knowing that your input helps achieve a great painting that you'll love. If you don't want to be involved in the process and just want me to go ahead that's ok too. Framing option I offer the option of quality framing so that you receive your painting ready to be hung. I can email a mockup of a suggested frame about the same time as I send a photo of the finished work. Size and Medium Options I have standard sizes to help with pricing although I can provide larger portraits if required. Small size- 20 x 25cms ( 8 x 10" ) to large - 60 x 70 cms ( 24 x 28 " ). This is the image size - so the painting will be larger than this when framed. Other sizes available on request. Smallest size 20 x 25 cms suits single head portrait only. Full body paintings are more suited to larger works , especially with groups of pets. I work in Pastel or Oil paint. Guarantee If you are not satisfied with your painting and I can't make changes so you are - you don't have to pay for it. Although in the 12 years I have been painting pets everyone has been very happy with their painting , I offer this guarantee to ensure you can have peace of mind knowing that when you commission a painting you will be happy with the result or you will not be out of pocket. How long will it take? My traditional paintings take time as they are a unique and quality work .They are not mass produced. From when I can start your portrait each painting takes from several weeks to a month depending on size, medium and complexity and as I do quality work I am usually booked out several months in advance. So please plan ahead a few months. If you need a small painting for a special event please contact me as sometimes I can fit one in. Having said that sometimes I am held up waiting for photos and I may be able to create your portrait while I wait so don't hesitate to contact me and see how I am placed. Christmas Bookings are taken at any time and by September I am often booked out. Investment Price depends on the size , medium, how many animals are involved ,whether you have head only or full bodies, background options and whether you want the work framed or unframed. It is best to discuss your requirements with me so I can best tailor a painting choice to suit your needs. Prices start from $275. Ordering For framed works there are three payments required. A deposit of 30% schedules you in so you can relax knowing your painting will be ready when required. Another 30% is payable when you have approved the painting and prior to framing. The balance is payable when you have signed off that you are happy with your framed portrait. Delivery can be arranged with freight extra. Unframed works require a 30% deposit payment with the balance due when you have agreed that you are happy with the painting. Commission Payment Payment is due prior to delivery. Payment can be broken up over a period of time to suit your budget so talk to me about interest free payments. Occasionally I can hold your portrait until you require it in which case we need to come to an agreement and have a signed payment plan with an expected delivery date. Australia- Cheque ,money order or direct deposit into my account . I accept Paypal for overseas orders. Summary Whether you want to be involved in the commissioning process or just supply the photo and leave it up to me you can relax when you commission a portrait knowing that you will be satisfied with your painting or not be out of pocket. I hope I have covered all your questions please contact me if you need any more information. I look forward to hearing from you soon.
Click here to see this process in action in the creation of a multiple dog portrait
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