If you have an animal you adore, and perhaps a bit of a silly side, then this kind of portrait might be just the thing for you!
A commissioned portrait is a fun way to indulge your love for a pet and add a bit of formal whimsy to your decor.
Give one as a fabulous, completely-unexpected gift to someone who adores their pet, or to someone who lost their beloved companion animal.
Here’s how the process works
1. I’ll need good photos
Photos should be taken from the eye level of the animal, not looking down on them from above. A good sign that you’ve got the right angle is when you can see their chin. The very best photos are taken when the animal is seated; they’re more upright that way, just as a person would be in a portrait.
A head-on view, or slightly turned view of the animal work great. Imagine you’re taking a school photo! Don’t get so close to the animal that the nose looks larger in the photo than it actually is.
High resolution images taken in good light will help me see all the details. Try to take photos outside on a cloudy day, or in a room with lots of natural light.
If the animal has passed away, I will use whatever photos you have and still make a lovely portrait …. maybe with a little more guidance from you.
A few pointers on photography
2. Choosing Historical Reference
Next, we’ll work together to select an historical portrait that works just right with your pet and your classic style. It’s time to get those creative juices going! If you don’t yet have something in mind, I can help with that.
You can start thinking about your portrait by exploring the ideas below.
- Think of an era or style of art and clothing you’re drawn to…. like Elizabethan, Early American, or Renaissance
- Consider portrait artists from the past that you like…. for example John Singer Sargent, Anthony Van Dyck, or Rembrandt
- Tell me particular works of art you favor…. like one of Hans Holbein’s Henry VIII portraits, Girl with a Pearl Earring, or Mona Lisa
- Consider your animal’s body type… if round (like a Guinea Pig or a Bulldog) it can work better to start with a portrait of a heavier person. If tiny, we can explore portraits of children.
Next, we’ll work together to select an historical portrait that works just right with your pet and your classic style. It’s time to get those creative juices going! It’s okay to pick a different background than the primary historical reference portrait, and it’s okay to change colors, too.
NOTE: Okay, you might be super excited about this creative process, and think it’s the best part. If you’re not, don’t worry! Just take a look at THIS SECTION of my shop where you can view the largest collection of my portraits available to see. Find a few you like and let me know what they are. I’ll send you other historical portraits that are kind of like those, and I’ll give you my recommendations on which one I think will look the very best.
3. Creating the Portrait with Your Pet as the Subject
Next, I’ll create a digital mockup. Your pet will be in the portrait with the chosen background. This is the last chance to make adjustments and decide on colors. This process takes the place of a preliminary sketch. I’ll likely need to make some adjustments when I paint, like changing hands into paws, for instance. I’ve included some examples of digital mockups below.
4. Then it’s time for me to paint
And here’s what I’m doing to make it possible to offer these paintings at such a low price. I’ll have the digital mockup printed onto the canvas. It gives me a guide so I don’t have to spend any time fussing with creating the composition all over again.
I’ll paint the entire canvas, though, and colors or details may be different than the mockup, depending upon your choices.
Once the painting is finished, I’ll email the image to you.
5. And finally….
I’ll give the painting a week or two to dry, and then varnish it three times. When I ship it, I’ll send you the tracking number. These canvases have saw-tooth hangers, so you don’t have to buy a frame before you hang it on the wall. I paint the sides, so it wouldn’t look unfinished to display it as is.