Commissions and Pet Portraits
I welcome commissions and will work creatively with you to bring a tailored artwork to your home or as a heartfelt gift for a special occasion. Commissioning artwork is more than just acquiring a piece; it's an investment in a one-of-a-kind creation that resonates with you on a personal level. I will assist in the designing stage to choosing a frame, which I can also provide.
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I am open to capturing any subject with the most common commissions being pet or animal portraits and landscapes, although most subjects are considered.
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The Process
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In the first instance please contact me by email or via my online contact form stating that you would like to commission a piece.
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For pet portraits I will require good quality photos ideally taken from eye level in good lighting. The more photographs you have of your pet the better. For landscapes, I can work from your photographs or a brief on what you would like.
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We can discuss sizing, aspect ratio and composition and I will provide a quotation. Pricing depends on the size and complexity of the subject and a price guide based on paper sizes is provided below. I will supply a digital mock-up if appropriate. Pet portraits are done on smooth panels to enable fine detailing while landscapes may also produced be on stretched canvases, especially for larger sizes.
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I will require a 50% deposit before I start the work, with the remaining balance on receipt of the finished piece.
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I will email you photos of the work in progress so you can see the process and provide feedback.
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I offer a framing service and can provide digital mock-ups of the finished work in various frames.
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Postage is an additional charge with an insured service recommended. Local pick up from my studio in Aberdeenshire is also possible.
Timeframe
Oil painting is not a quick process due to drying time between layers. Additionally, sufficient time is required for the final layer to cure prior to varnishing. Depending on workload, 1-2 months should be expected, but if it's for a special occasion please ensure plenty of time.
Pricing
I do not offer a fixed price based on canvas size. While size does play a factor in the time involved, the complexity of the subject is just as important (i.e. a pet portrait with a diffuse background vs within a scene). However, an approximate unframed pricing structure based on familiar paper sizes is:
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A5 approximately 6x8" (15x21cm) - £200-300
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A4 approximately 8x12" (21x30cm) - £300-500
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A3 approximately 12x16" (30x42cm) - £400-700
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A2 approximately 16x24" (42x60cm), - £600-1000