Colored pencil is a beautiful medium with vivid, crisp detail and creamy color. Several layers are blended to achieve color, depth, and detail. Burnishing and blending results in dramatic layers with a paint-like finish. This technique is a more time-intensive (and less forgiving) process than other mediums but offers exciting results. I use a variety of premium archival art papers, meaning that your portrait will last for generations. The portrait I will create for you with meticulous detail will be a vignette which fits within the selected size. A vignette is an illustration which fades into its background, placing the focus on the subject. The color of paper for your pet portrait is selected based on the colors in the fur. If you have a preference, please do let me know. For illustrations with two or more subjects, you can provide separate images - I will compose them in a grouping as I illustrate. It's super tough to successfully capture more than one animal in the same photo with ease. No worries. You may also include various poses of one pet for a 'collage' of illustrations. It is important when using individual photos to create multiple animal illustrations that you include the approximate weight and height of each pet. Think how distorted the illustration would appear if your largest animal looks smaller than the other subject(s). There is no charge for including a collar and tag if these are included in the photo. I do not recommend a white background for a white pet. Including the breed of the animal is helpful, as well.

Fees do not include matting or framing.

Each commission is a journey we take together with plenty of communication and advice. Please do not send payment until we have discussed project details. Backgrounds, additional subjects, or extensive details may require an additional charge. A first payment of 25% will save your commission place and is fully refundable until the project begins. Full payment plus USPS Priority shipping and insurance (required to ensure the safety of larger custom projects) is required once the project begins. If you are local, I will hand-deliver your portrait to you! Refunds are not available for custom pieces, but I will do my utmost to ensure that you love your piece. If you have a deadline, please let me know and I will do my best to meet your timeframe. I send a digital photo prior to completion for your approval and any minor changes. All my work is completed by hand using the finest artist quality materials. My work is original and intuitive, and I'll do my best to ensure that you love your piece. All work is (c) copyright protected. Unauthorized reproduction or business utilization is not allowed.

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The MOST IMPORTANT detail is the EYES. A digital camera with good resolution will produce the best photo. Smartphone cameras have made incredible improvements in recent years, so these will also take great photos. Do not use flash. Instead, take the photo outside (not in direct sunlight), or in a well-lit room.

It is best to either sit down on the floor (with larger animals) to photograph at eye-level, or for smaller pets, place them higher (bed, couch, cabinet) so that you can capture their image at eye-level. Rather than use the zoom feature on your camera, move in close to your pet and focus. Using the zoom compromises the resolution and the detail is lost. Take a lot of photos at different angles to ensure that you capture one image that you love. This also allows the personality of the pet to shine through. A bit of an angle is great, but not crucial. The important thing is that you capture a photo that you will love and adore!

When you have the photos that best represent your pet’s personality, message me through my Get in Touch page and attach the images you have chosen. You and I will chat about the one that will work well for a portrait