HOW TO COMMISSION A PORTRAIT

One

It all begins with an idea

Get in touch if you have any questions or need a quote. If you decide you would like a portrait we will have a discussion about portrait size, prices, composition and how you want your portrait to look.

Two

Your images

Get snapping! Once you have taken a suitable clear image of the subject you want me to draw, send it to me via email. We can then have a discussion of what image will work best.

You can send multiple images to me, the more information the better.

Three

Lets get sketching

Once we had decided on an image I will begin the initial sketch. Once the sketch is completed I will send you a photograph. This is so you can see the composition to get an idea of what the final drawing will look like.

Four

Lets add detail

I will keep you updated throughout the drawing process. When I think the drawing is nearly finished I will send you a clear image. At this point you can check the likeness and tell me if you would like any adjustments.

WHAT MAKES A PERFECT REFERENCE PHOTO?

One of the first steps in the portrait painting process is finding a good reference photo. You probably have taken a lot of photos of your pet or loved one in all kinds of situations, poses and light. Perhaps you are wondering which one(s) of those photos to choose.

If you have photos but you are not sure if they're good enough, just send them to me (chloemarshallart@gmail.com) and will be happy to look at them and let you know if the resolution and detail is enough for me to work with.

The most important thing is that the subject of the photo is in the foreground, nice and clear. Working from a photo where the subject appears very small or is blurred is very difficult and will not result in a good drawing.

Here are some tips to help you take good photos for a portrait:

Natural light is best. Artificial light can often cause a grainy image, so aim for daylight to take your snaps
Taking photos out of doors is ideal, but preferably avoid very bright sunlight which will make people squint and produce strong shadows
Don’t worry about the background, as I will just ignore this (unless you want it to be included)
For a pet photo, remember to remove the collar if you don’t want it to be included in the portrait

Photographs downloaded from social media are NOT suitable either as they have been resized and compressed.

The better the image, the better your drawing

IMAGE QUALITY

School photos are a great option because they are large, close-up and sharp. You can usually request an original digital file from the photographer.
Professionally taken photos are also ideal. Sometimes people get some taken specifically for the portrait.

OTHER OPTIONS

DRAWING SIZE

With drawings, you will have a choice of different sizes as I do work on large sheets of paper. So I can cut this to any size you require.

On my price page, I give examples of prices depending on certain pre-chosen sizes to give you an idea of how much a drawing of that size would cost. Those sizes can be slightly altered though. Small changes usually won't affect the price. See my price section for details.

DEPOSIT

Once we establish the final price I will ask for a deposit. I ask for 50% of the final price of the finished portrait to be paid before I start the commission. The up-front payment is necessary to secure the commission and place in line, as I work on the portraits in order of securing them. Please keep in mind however that how long it will take me to deliver the finished piece will depend on the amount of work already commissioned. If you have a time sensitive commission, please let me know.

COMPOSITION

Before I start a drawing I will confirm the composition with you. I will create a mock up of the composition to give you an idea of how the finished drawing will look. This is especially helpful when creating a portrait of multiple subjects. Most multiple subject portraits are created from more than one photograph. Once this is approved we will get to work.

FINAL PAYMENT & POSTAGE

Once the painting or drawing is complete I will send a watermarked photo of it for final approval. I will then ask you to pay the remaining fee. Once final payment has been received I will post your drawing via Royal Mail with a one day guaranteed delivery. The parcels are tracked and insured.

Drawings are shipped flat, wrapped in a cellophane artist display bag and card for extra protection. All drawings come with a Certificate of Authenticity and care advice.

PRICES

DeliveryUK Orders: Packing and delivery usually costs £10 – as standard, your portrait is wrapped and sent via recorded 24hr insured delivery. This may vary depending on the item’s size, where it’s going, and how it needs to be packed. I will always give you an up-front quote so there are no nasty surprises. If you’re reasonably local to South Yorkshire, you’re welcome to pop in and collect it at no charge – it would be lovely to meet you!

International Orders: I’m happy to post portraits overseas. As a guide, it costs around £20 to Europe and £25 to USA and Australia. I will always confirm delivery charges before accepting a commission. Again, your portrait is wrapped and sent via a tracked, insured service.

All portraits are unframed unless agreed otherwise.

DELIVERY

Payment: is via bank transfer, PayPal, or cash (if collecting).

PAYMENT

CONTACT ME