Can you draw more than one pet in a portrait?

Yes of course however, there are limits such as paper size being simply too small to accommodate everyone and causing loss of detail!
Please check my price list

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Do you work from photos?

I work from your provided photos. Multiple photos are always good as I get to see your pet from different angles and lights. Please send me the best ones you have, such as photos taken in daylight, eye level with the subject and high quality. I usually recommend photos where you can mostly see individual hairs for the best possible result though I understand this isn't always possible, if you are commissioning a memory portrait for example. We can spend some time together, discussing the best ones and do some editing if necessary. Under the 'Reference Images' in the 'Commissions' tab I have put some examples, here

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What medium do you use?

I use Faber Castell Polychromos and Lightfast colour pencils on Bristol Board paper. These are all some of the best materials you can get.

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Which size should I choose?

Entirely up to you! Naturally, your budget is the first factor to consider. I can recommend a size to you depending on your pet if you need some help deciding. If you have a single cat face, you wouldn't need much more than A4. But a Great Dane or a horse may need something a little larger! Also consider where you are going to place your portrait in your home. Do you have a small space on a wall? Will it fit once you've factored in frame size around your portrait too?

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How do you price your commissions?

With great consideration. There is a huge amount of love, care and attention to detail that goes into each piece and a lot to consider when working out the best price for commissions. To obtain a high level of standard and detail in a portrait, it can take days. Firstly, you pay for an artist's time and the years of honing artistic skills that they have behind them. A standard A4 piece with a single subject for example, can take two full working days or more. A3 size and larger, can take a week or more. And if artists are to pay themselves minimum wage at the very least, we're already pushing the £200 mark for two days' work.​

Secondly, there is often a huge amount of research that goes in behind the scenes into the materials used, from paper to pencils and many other unseen tools, ensuring all materials are at an excellent standard and quality. For example, a single Faber Castell Polychromos pencil can cost £2 or more, with some brands and pencil types priced much higher. Then multiply that by an entire set of 50, 100, 200 pencils which is needed to create a multi-colour image and consider all of the different varying shades and colours that go into a single portrait and all of the materials start becoming costly but so worth the investment for the absolute best results. Once all of these factors are considered, it is easy to see why most artists must price their pieces at seemingly high costs when in fact, a lot of the time, it's incredibly difficult to avoid underselling and still deliver you, the customer, the best possible prices. So considering my commissions are currently below what they should be, to try and be fair to you as the customer, it may help adjust perspectives on why they seemed expensive at first, but they're actually a bit of a steal.

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Will you keep me updated through the process?

Absolutely. I will send you progress photos as I go, to ensure everything is going in the right direction and you are continually happy with your portrait as you watch your pet come to life on the paper. Please remember it is still artistic interpretation and each artist has their own style. I'm sure you are picking me because you like my style (thank you!). Pencil as a medium particularly, can be tricky to change, so constant change requests can be hard to do without beginning to ruin the portrait, so please bear this in mind if you are thinking of booking! However, I have found it is incredibly rare that clients would like any changes as I always aim to draw as true to your pet's likeness as possible.

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Do you offer a framing service?

Not currently, but it is something I may be able to look into in the future. A4 portraits do however, come provided with a mount which can be slotted in to your chosen frame with your portrait, if you wish.

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Will you share my portrait online?

Yes, I post my work to Instagram and Facebook and sometimes my website here. It is how I advertise and grow my business. If you'd like to keep a portrait hidden, for example if it is a present, I am happy to oblige until your portrait is gifted.​​

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Do you draw the whole animal?

All of my prices are based on a head and neck portrait. However, full body portraits can be considered too, but please discuss this with me for an individual quote.

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Can I ask for changes during and once my portrait has been finished?

Please remember, this is still artistic interpretation and not an exact photo copy. I am happy to make up to 2 rounds of minor amends, free of charge, if you feel there is a 'hair out of place' somewhere but often, anything major can run the risk of ruining the artwork and if requests are many, there will be further charges for the extra time and materials used. However, if you have provided photographs that show your pet's proportions and colouring correctly (natural daylight is best!), it will ensure that I can capture your pet as precisely as possible so that this does not happen.

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How do I help preserve my finished artwork?

My advice would be: Ensure you don't hang it on a wall that receives direct sunlight. If you want to hang it in a bright room, consider using a frame which has UV filtering acrylic rather than glass. Don't hang it anywhere overly humid. According to sources, 55% humidity is good for artwork in the home. Don't leave your art in a tube - always store it flat, if you are not ready to frame yet and store it in a cool, dry place. Careful of your hands, particularly dirty hands - don't overly handle the artwork, particularly on the image itself.

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Will you hand deliver?

I wouldn't usually, however if you are local to me here in Norfolk, UK, it can be considered, but it will possibly incur a small fee.

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Can I collect in person?

If you'd like to and you're happy to get to Norfolk, UK! Again, can be discussed. I'll get the kettle on!