Information on Custom Paintings
Thanks for your interest in having a custom portrait done. I am a Colorado artist who offers animal and pet portraits in either a contemporary realism or modern pop style to fit your aesthetic and vision. I feel it is important to capture not only a likeness but the spirit of the individual being portrayed. I feel especially honored when I paint an animal who has passed. I put a lot of love and dedication into each painting to create a work that will be treasured and last for generations.
The Process
With custom work, I think it is important to get on the same page and so I can learn as much as your vision as possible. Here are the steps in the process:
1) We start by having a conversation about the pet or person you want me to paint to get a feel for the subject’s personality and any special treatment.
2) You select size, color, background and style preferences.
3) You send me several high-resolution photos to choose from so I can make a recommendation of which photo works best. Photos at eye level in good lighting that reveal eye details add to a portrait’s impact.
4) I quote a price and you put down a deposit, either through Etsy, Zelle, Venmo or Paypal. I prefer working through Etsy and, if that is the option you choose, I will create a special deposit listing just for you.
5) I purchase the materials and do the work, sending progress shots.
6) After I am finished, I will send you the final proof of the artwork for approval.
7) Once approved, you will send me the final payment and I either deliver the artwork in person or mail it. If you ordered an oil painting, it may take up to a month to dry before it is shipped.
Styles and Backgrounds
I offer either contemporary realism or pop art styles. I also offer plain backgrounds, scenery or a William Morris motif. If you have something else in mind, please let me know.
Contemporary Realism—This involves a more realistic treatment in terms of colors of the subject. Usually, though not always, these paintings also are done in more traditional earthtones or dark backgrounds. For an example, see the painting of Elroy, a black, long-haired cat that I painted on an ochre background.
Pop Art—This involves a more stylized or “cartoonish” treatment of the subject. These paintings usually involve brighter colors. See the painting I did of Rocko, a Chihauhau that I painted in a graphic style using orange as the predominate color.
Plain–My base portraits are done with plain backgrounds with a painterly texture, sometimes with a few color variations for interest. I also like a dark background for some portraits and will make recommendations.
Scenery–I can paint scenery in the background, though sometimes I need to alter it to make the composition of the painting work. I have base prices for adding a scenery, though that price may fluctuate depending on the complexity of the scene and how much of it I actually have to invent. For example, I once painted a memorial portrait of a dog in front of the Boulder Flatirons based only on a partial photo of the dog in the owner’s arms. That involved quite a bit of research finding a body double and getting the angle and perspective right. The scenery also dominates that work, so it is a landscape painting as well. For another painting, the client wanted me to remove the house behind a cat portrait and use another shot from a different angle for the background.
William Morris–My William Morris backgrounds are really beautiful and popular and I think they are the perfect background for a custom portrait. Please note that I do not offer WM backgrounds for dry pastels. Please keep in mind that my backgrounds are not as detailed or precise as a piece of block-printed wallpaper, as they are painted by hand. Colors will also vary, because I am using paint pens to render the backgrounds. On the plus side, I am able to customize the colors for you and can use a more modern color palette, if that is desired. I have another handout with the William Morris patterns I am able to paint. If you have a William Morris pattern and color palette in mind, please let me know. I can also send you some swatches and recommendations over for each pet. If you have another pattern in mind, let’s talk! I am game for trying new things.
Materials
I offer commissions in casein, acrylics, oils and dry pastels. I used high-quality artist-grade materials because they provide the most pigmentation and durability. Oil paintings and dry pastels cost more, so they are more expensive.
Casein paint, which is a milk-based paint, is one of my favorite mediums and is also one of the oldest in the world. The paint allows for lots of detail work for fur, as well as lovely soft gradients and brushwork. The colors in the Shiva Richeson casein line create a very harmonious aesthetic and color palette. The casein paintings can have either a matte or gloss varnish applied. Casein is making a comeback with fine artists these days, though it is still rare to find contemporary artists who work in this medium.
Acrylic paints are suitable to very pop or traditional styles, and paintings executed with acrylics can be very detailed and colorful. They are a little more challenging to work with, as they dry quickly and do not blend easily, but they offer a really nice appearance when used with skill.
Like casein, oil paintings offer a very traditional, detailed portrait. Oil paintings have a more “painterly” look with the brushstrokes than any other medium. Oil paintings do require more time to execute and dry. All of my oil paintings are prepared with a GAC 100 sealer to prevent support-induced discoloration. I paint solvent free and do not use linseed-oil ingredients, as I am allergic to both. I do use M. Graham walnut-based oils and walnut mediums and lavender spike oil, in case those materials cause allergies. The paintings need six months to cure before they can be varnished, but I usually send them to my clients unvarnished.
Varnishing is a personal preference. Varnishing can protect artwork, though varnish may need to be removed and reapplied after a couple of decades. I generally varnish my casein paintings in either a matte or a gloss finish, for extra protection. I typically don’t varnish my acrylic paintings, unless the client requests it, as I don’t think it is necessary. I also typically deliver oil paintings unvarnished, as they need to cure for six months before being varnished. You can return them to me for varnishing at that time, though postage rates apply.
My commissions are usually executed on Ampersand wooden panels with gallery edges, which are suitable for hanging unframed. I generally prefer painting on wood or canvas panels to stretched cotton or linen canvas, because the latter often has issues with sagging in high altitudes and does not offer a firm enough substrate for longevity for casein and oil paints. Cradled wood is also nice because it doesn’t need to be framed. Unless requested, I do not paint or treat the gallery frame edges but you could wax or carefully varnish them to suit your décor.
Dry chalk pastels require special matting and framing. I do not use fixatives on my pastels so they are very delicate. No artwork should ever touch the glass of a frame and, for archival purposes, should be kept away from direct sunlight.
Pricing
Here are some starting prices for the portrait of one individual. Keep in mind that a portrait refers to the head and shoulders of a subject, and not the entire body. The painting you request will determine your final price. Prices are impacted by the size, medium, and complexity of the work. So, if your custom painting has more than one figure, full figures, or additional complexity, I will quote you a final price before we get started.
Additional pets or people in one painting add an additional cost to the work and the minimum size of the painting to do the subjects justice. The size of the subject will also impact the minimum size of the painting and pricing. For example, if you are requesting two people sitting on horses in a painting, the minimum size and pricing will be impacted.
I will also send you a high-resolution file that is yours for private, noncommercial use, such as holiday cards or family t-shirts. You may not use the image for commercial products that you are selling to the public, such as coffee cups, t-shirts or journals, unless we make a prior licensing agreement.
This pricing does not include taxes. Shipping is included for work 9 X 12 inches or smaller within the United States.
Larger sizes are available.
Add a pet to the painting: $100-$250, depending on the work’s size; the painting need to be at least 11 X 14 inches
Add a person to the painting: $150 to $300, depending on the work’s size; the painting needs to be at least 11 X 14 inches
I request a 30 percent deposit to reserve your spot in my workflow and purchase supplies. I prefer cash, Zelle or Venmo but can also accept a Paypal payment. I will send you over a final proof before I deliver or ship your painting.
Reference Photo Guidelines
It’s helpful if you send along several photos of your pet so that I can really take in the pet’s personality and create a likeness. I rely on photos for anatomical details, lighting and composition, so photos are important to creating a great painting.
Here’s some suggestions for good photo references:
· A portrait photo with a little of your pet’s torso works best, though if you send me photos of your full animal, I am happy to crop them.
· Using a 35mm camera works best, if you have access to one. If you live within 30 miles of Boulder, I’m happy to do a photo shoot for an additional fee.
· Photos should be of a high resolution to get the best details and likeness.
· A portrait shot either at eye level or looking up at the pet offers the best composition with the fewest distortions.
· It is really important to have a clear view of the animal’s eyes and it is even better if they are in the light.
· Good lighting from the side helps create depth and helps light up your pet’s eyes and make them luminescent, so a photo taken next to a window or outside in the shade with some sun spilling onto them works great. Full sunlight is also fine and it’s even better if it is in the golden hour when the sun is casting a glow on everything.
· An asymmetrical pose is preferred, though symmetrical poses can work fine if the pet has a great expression.
· If you want two pets in the painting, I can create a composite but the pet photos need to be taken from the same angle.
Ready to Start?
Please send me your photos and let’s set up a time to talk. I can be reached through email or contacted through my Lori DeBoer Designs shop on Etsy .
Thanks and I look forward to working with you!
Lori
