Pet Portrait FAQ
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
FOR
PET PORTRAIT COMMISSIONS
How do I order my Pet Portrait Painting?
Ordering your pet portrait is very easy! If you know what type and size portrait you would like, all I need is one good photograph of your pet as reference for the portrait (more photos are always good to give me and insight into your pets personality, plus accurate colour and markings). I like to know a little about the animal I paint, their names and what makes them special.
This information, your photographs and contact details can all be supplied through my CONTACT form. I will then confirm the suitability of your photos, answer any questions you may have and confirm the cost of your portrait and deposit required.
What currency are the prices in?
All prices listed are in Australian Dollars.
How do I pay for my Pet Portrait?
Payments may be made by direct deposit, cheque or Paypal for Australian customers. Credit card and International payments can be made though Paypal.
What size and type photographs do you need to paint my portrait?
To capture your pets unique spirit and personality, I need you to provide be with good quality, true to life photos. The larger the better, straight from the camera at full size and unedited is ideal! I can only paint what I am able to see in the photo, so clear, detailed full size (uncropped) photos are very important for me to be able to paint your individual pet rather than a generic animal of the same species! You may send several photos to show correct colours, markings etc but please indicate the main photo that the painting will be based on. Unfortunately some photos, especially from mobile phone cameras or where the subject is a tiny part of the image simply are not suitable for creating a portrait from. If you have printed photos, you may send these by post and they will be returned to you with your completed portrait.
I had photos of my pet taken by a professional photographer, can you use them for my pet portrait painting?
In the majority of cases No, unless you have written permission from the photographer as it would be a breach of their Copyright. As an artist and photographer, I treat Copyright Laws very seriously. Submitting photos for reference material for a pet portrait signifies that you are the legal copyright owner of that image and take full legal responsibility for providing the image to Michelle for painting.
How do you create the pet portrait?
I have over thirty years’ experience with a variety of traditional art mediums including graphite, charcoal, pastels, colour pencils, acrylic paints and oil paints. Traditional artwork is created on suitable substrate (archival quality fine art papers, boards or canvas as appropriate.
More recently I have been painting digitally – using the experience and the exact same techniques that I have developed over many years using traditional art mediums to create artwork in a digital/electronic environment. I use a very powerful program that emulates traditional art mediums in conjunction with a pressure sensitive digitizing tablet (canvas) and stylus (paintbrush) to ‘paint’ on my computer screen. Digital Painting opens up a world of possibilities for me as an artist, in particular the ability to combine different mediums such as pastels, oil and acrylic painting effects in the same painting that is simply not possible with traditional art mediums.
Is the digital painting generated by the computer?
Computers generate the painting about as much as paintbrush generates an oil painting! A computer, like a paintbrush is just a tool used to create the artwork. Each digital painting is created by hand, brushstroke by brushstroke just as a traditional oil painting is created.
Unlike many places that offer ‘photograph to painting’ and digital pet portrait painting services, my artwork is NOT computer rendered images created by simple one or two step filters applied to photographs. My digital paintings are fully developed artworks that take many hours and sometimes days to complete, created in a digital environment utilizing the skills and techniques that I have learned from over thirty years’ experience with traditional art mediums. The end result is a truly unique and original artwork that captures the spirit and personality of the subject.
Can I see the finished portrait before you ship it to me?
Absolutely! A small “proof” image will emailed to you to view and approve. Any amendments can be made at this stage to ensure your complete satisfaction. On receipt of final payment traditional graphite drawings and oil paintings will be shipped to you. If you have ordered a digital painting printed on canvas or fine art paper it will be sent for printing, hand embellished by the artist and then shipped to you.
How many images will I get to choose from?
If you have ordered a traditional art medium portrait (graphite/charcoal/acrylic or oil painting) you will only receive one proof of the artwork.
If you have ordered a digital pet portrait painting then you will be offered several proof images to select from, all based on variations of the original portrait created, such as black and white, monochromatic tones and bright vivid colours. Prints of the alternative variations may be purchased at the time of printing your portrait, pricing from $40.00 for 11”x14” on Fine Art Paper.
What if I don’t like the proofs that I am shown?
Customer satisfaction is very important, and if for any reason you are unhappy with the original proof image that you are shown, the portrait will be revised until you are! The first revision to the portrait is free of charge. To ensure your complete satisfaction, please provide Michelle with a detailed description of the amendments that you would like made. In the unlikely event that you are still not satisfied, additional amendments will be made until you are completely happy and will be charged at $65.00 per hour.
Can I purchase additional prints of my pet portrait painting?
Yes! Additional prints of digital pet portrait paintings can easily be ordered at the same time from $40.00 for an 11×14” on Fine Art Paper and $100.00 on Gallery Wrapped canvas.
Depending on the size, traditional paintings in acrylic and oil may require professional scanning prior to printing, in which case additional fees may apply.
Can I use my pet portrait painting for my business, stud, kennel logo or advertising?
No, all portraits are sold for personal use only. Copyright for all artwork is retained by the artist Michelle Wrighton. Commercial Licence agreements are available for purchase from $500.00
What exactly do I receive if I purchase the digital file of my portrait?
Depending on the size option to purchase, you will receive a digital (electronic) copy of the painted portrait by email suitable for printing up to 8″x10″ or a high resolution digital image suitable for printing up to 16″x20″ and above. For both size options you will be granted an unlimited personal reprint licence for the portrait painting.
Can I sell the digital file of the artwork or use it on products to sell?
Only if you have purchased a Commercial Print Licence specific to your commercial requirements. Commercial Licence agreements start from $500.00
What items can I print the artwork on?
You can print the artwork on a variety of items from fine art paper, photographic paper, canvas to novelty items such as t-shirts, mousepads, christmas cards, wall clocks, tote bags, coffee mugs – as long as you do not sell the items or use the items featuring the artwork to promote a commercial enterprise the choice is yours.
Will my Pet Portrait be shown on your website and will prints be available for purchase by other people in your gift shop?
Generally yes. I retain all reproduction rights for my artwork and reserve the right to use all portraits for display and promotional purposes. In order to keep costs down for all of my customers, artwork is usually offered for sale as prints and gifts in my giftshops at Zazzle and Redbubble. If you do not wish to have your artwork displayed or sold as prints please let Michelle know! If you are purchasing the Exclusive Rights Digital File of your artwork then your portrait will not be offered for sale as prints or featured on gift items.
Please contact me to discuss any other questions you may have or to obtain an obligation free quote for your custom pet portrait.
