Unlike a regular photograph, a portrait by a pet portrait artist depicts the entirety of a person’s being. Any passionate pet owner can relate to the level of intimacy the relationship with their pet can reach. Being able to personally capture that bond in a manner that gives justice to the pet’s individuality, however, is something that can be very difficult to do. One of the many ways to do this is to commission a talented pet portrait artist and with their prowess, put your beloved companion on a beautifully crafted portrait.
I will be your guide in this case and follow you along the journey of commissioning a custom pet portrait. This journey will entail choosing the preferred style and medium of the portrait, explaining how to pick the ideal artist, and detailing the steps you need to follow from the commission request to the portrait delivery. Let us look for the ideal artist that can ensure your pet is given the honor it deserves.
Different Styles and Mediums in Portrait Art
The first question to ask yourself is, what style do you want for your portrait? Pet portrait artists can work with a diverse style of art, and each style yields a different outlook and dignity.
Most Common Mediums for Pet Portraits
- Oil Painting:Chowder’s face lights up when John G. Paints is on the scene. Chowder suddenly speaks! “One day I want to see the world and witness the magic of чнко! I’ll paint on the moon.” Paints studiously waits for Chowder to finish. “You see, on the moon I’ll splash oil paints and create magic on the gray surface. I’ll blend the colors and twirl them to create images. I will bring together the IV world colors.” Painting on the moon is not part of the curriculum, so the classmates often tune out. Magic Ведьма не по насельству shiny IV colors flows around. Remember to void and bend boots when no moon painting is done. She’s so scared for the moon.
- Acrylic Painting:A school-wide pet portrait competition is coming up, and Peter’s anxious to make the best of it. Peter wants to bring joy and laughter to everyone he meets. “If oil painters splash colors on the moon, then I will splash them on all the mouses in the shed.” The shed is suddenly in the IV world colors. Paints is darn worried. Splash painting blue and green IVs all over mouses is the contrary to her magic moon wishes.
- Watercolor: A small-town picture twirls over a shack. It’s a moon chain of emoji lakes, moja moon, tilted on the canvas like a twinkly marble mist. A soft jasmine light skims over the moon chain, glimmering. It’s the punctuation of the pet portrait ribbon glimmer to a stop. It’s like a soft beep of magic.
- Digital Painting:Digital portraits has no prescribed boundaries. Stylus and computer software are all you need to create one. Artists can create almost caricature and life like versions as well. They are produced as high quality digital images which can be printed on canvas, fine art paper, and several other materials. This medium is appropraite as it assists in revisions and removes the hassle of sending the original artwork.
- Charcoal and Graphite: This technique is very expressive and emotive. It can also be very dramatic. It uses monochrome. Charcoal is great for texture, soft edges, and rich, mouth watering blacks while pencil is better for very soft and carefully controlled detail. It is one of the best pieces of art to represent feelings and being lost, almost timeless.
- Colored Pencil: This profession can be associated to school. Don’t be fooled as these are wax based and oil based prisms. They are made to create fine precise portraits. Although, no professional member in the art world will ever say it is an easy process as it is very time consuming and full of hard work. The final product is bound to be very lively.
Contrasting Realism with Stylization
There is more to art than just the media used; just like there is more to art than medium, there is more to art than just the media used. Would you prefer the portrait to be realistic to the point that it resembles a photograph, or one that captures the essence of your pet and presents it in a more abstract manner?
- Photorealism/Hyperrealism: This is a style of art in which the aim of the artist is to replicate a photograph artistically and replicate every detail of the portrait. This style is suited to the pet owners who which to capture every minute detail of their pets, including the textures and features of their fur.
- Impressionism Stylized: In this form of art, the aim is to convey the essence or character and bring it the feeling using the elements of color, light, and various types of brush strokes, rather than just recreating a clone of the original. This form of approach is more unique and expressive to the character of a pet and interpretive. Examples include whimsical watercolors or pop art style portraits.
Determining which Artist to Use for the Pet Portrait
Finding the right artist is akin to finding a professional collaborator. Your objective is to select someone who you believe has an appealing style and whose working style aligns well with your requirements.
1. Analyzing the Body of Work
An artist’s portfolio serves as their primary resume, and it is critical that a great deal of time is spent looking through the potential artist’s past works.Consistency: Is there quality parity across works?
- Likeness: Were the animal’s essences and personality steeply absorbed?
- Style Match: Is their dominant style appropriate? Just because an artist is known for realistic oil paintings does not mean that the artist is suited for a playful, cartoon-ish digital portrait work.
2. Know Their Commission Process.
Every artist has their own method. A professional artist will have a streamlined and clear commission framework clearly delineated on their page. Check for:
- Initial Discussion: How do they explain their thoughts about the project?
- Photo Reference: What do they need for reference photos?
- Progress and Revisions: Is there a possibility for updates? Are there minor changes allowed?
- Expected Completion: How long do they think it will take? Completion time may take a digital painting from a couple weeks to a few months for an oil painting.
3. Pricing and Payment.
Pet painting commission costs do not have a fixed price. Pricing from an artist should always be clear. Most charge a non-returnable initial payment of about 30-50% to hold the spot and the rest is paid after the work is complete.
Preparing for your commission
After selecting an artist for your work, the next stage is for you to decide on the most suitable relevant reference materials for the artist to use for the work .Extensive research has shown that the quality of the final portrait directly correlates to the quality of the photos provided.
Photo requirements
- High Resolution: A high quality digital camera, or the latest model of smartphones, will suffice. Pictures must be sharp and clear, and blurry pictures will not be accepted, especially when one zooms on the pictures.
- Good Lighting: Try to work with natural light. Take pictures on an overcast day and work outdoors, or if indoors, take pictures near a window. Do not take pictures in direct sunlight as this will lead to light reflections that are very dark. Do not turn on flash for the camera.
- Eye Level: Make sure the camera is at the same level as your pet. Pictures that are taken from above tend to distort the features of the pet. Attention must be drawn to the fact that the eyes are the most crucial feature.
- Multiple Angles: Do not send a single picture, but send at least 5 pictures. One picture must be the primary pose that you adore while other pictures can include other angles.
Sizing and Framing Considerations
You and the artist should agree on the size of the portrait before the artist begins work. Where do you plan to hang the finished piece? The artist can propose a dimension that works for the composition and the space. Most artists do not provide framing services, but they can provide an appropriate frame—especially for works on paper that need glass—that will protect the art and enhance its visual appeal.
Commissioning Etiquette and Process
Cooperating with the artist should be a process that is both collaborative and respectful.
- Concise Communication: Set expectations at the onset. If there is a certain feature that you are fond of, such as the spot on the nose, or the way an ear flops, call it out.
- Artist Freedom: You picked the artist for a reason. Give them the liberty to include your pet in their work. Do not micromanage the process.
- Sticking to the Schedule:Set timelines for any pieces you are working on to ensure you reap the rewards for the time you set. Give a realistic time frame so you don’t get frustrated.
- Revisions: Be aware of how many changes the artist will allow. Usually, an artist will allow for one or two minor adjustments, but if a complete redraw is needed, it must be paid for.
What to Expect for Cost: Price Ranges and Factors
Just like any other form of art, the cost of a custom pet portrait can be under a hundred dollars to several thousand. The most important cost values for a pet portrait are the following:
- Conviction: A dog portrait artist, or cat portrait artist depends on the demand. This can be said for any form of custom artwork. The more established the artist is, the more expensive they are.
- Materials: Of all materials used on a pet portrait, the use of oil paints is the most expensive. This is mainly due to the cost of the materials used for oil painting and the time the artist spends to create the oil painting.
- Scale: Large portraits are significantly more expensive than smaller ones.
- Intricacy: The more complicated a piece is, the more expensive it is. A portrait with multiple pets or a complex background with a full-body pet portrait is much more expensive than a head and shoulders pet portrait.
Figured Price Ranges:
- $100 – $300: Pet portraits created on digital devices, sketches, or to any emerging artist.
- $300 – $800: Detailed digital paintings of pets in mid-sized colored pencil or acrylic.
- $800 – $3,000+: Larger oil or acrylic paintings, or paintings by renowned artists.
Shipping, Insurance, and Caring for Your Art
Shipping is the last and most important of the steps to ensure that a completed artwork is delivered safely to the destination.
- Shipping- The artist will keep the artwork packed in a secure manner. The client generally covers the shipping fees, which can be expensive especially for larger or framed items.
- Insurance- Shipping insurance is critical for preventing the loss or damage of high-valued items during transport.
- Artwork Maintenance- To protect your portrait so it can be cherished for generations, do not hang it in sunlight or it will fade. Avoid high humidity areas or extreme temperature variations, such as a bathroom or above a fireplace.
A Brief Checklist for Commissioning
- Define Your Ideas- Decide which medium and style you would like. (realistic vs. stylized).
- Finding the Right Artist- Find someone whose portfolio resonates with you.
- Understanding the Process- Go through the details of the commission, its duration, and the price.
- Make initial Contact- Discuss your idea with the artist.
- Collect Images- Find a few reference photos that are clear and well lit.
- Final Steps- Decide on the dimensions, layout, and payment of the artwork with the artist.
- Make the Deposit- Reserve a place on the artist’s commission list.
- Final Approval- Go through the completed portrait and make the final payment.
- Shipping- Provide a summary of the shipping costs and details.
Getting a custom pet portrait is an investment in commemorating a memory. A piece of art that every member of the family will hold dear for the rest of their lives can be custom created in order to appreciate the unconditional joy and love a pet brings in one’s life.
