**Commissions are currently closed**
If you’d like to commission a pet portrait then do please get in touch to book in for a portrait. As many animal lovers will know, no two pets are alike. Commissioning a portrait of our beloved pet makes for a special gift or to have as a custom piece in your own home.
I use pastels to draw the head and shoulders of your pet, although please let me know if you are interested in a full body portrait and I can give you an accurate quote.
A description of the subject is really helpful to translate their character onto the page and bring their portrait to life. Often it can be the case that pets have sadly passed away and there’s a limited range of photographs from which to choose. In cases like these or if you’re unsure which photo to use, please feel free to send multiple photographs and I’ll work together with you in order to choose one that will give the best possible portrait.
I source the highest quality artist grade lightfast materials when creating your portrait for the best finish. To protect your artwork I highly recommend having it framed under UV protective glass to prevent dust build up. Your local framers should be able to advise you on this.
Once you've decided on the size of the portrait you’d like and provide the shipping location it is to be sent to, I will then be able to give you a quote based on these factors (approx €10 shipping to Ireland & UK) as well as an estimated completion time for your portrait. All portraits come mounted which usually adds an extra 3.8cm (1.5 inches) around the border.
Choosing the right a photo is the most important part of creating your portrait. Please include any photos that you think may be suitable in our email exchanges. Once we agree on a photo and background gradient colour of your choice, I will then ask for a 50% deposit to book a slot in my schedule (this is non-refundable once the painting has been started). I will keep in touch so you can see its progress and may post updates on my instagram account here (unless you’ve told me it’s a surprise!). Once you’re 100% happy with it, I will ask for the remaining 50% balance be paid before shipping your portrait to its new home.
Here are a few tips on what will make for the best possible portrait of your pet for me to work from:
Providing a clear, high quality photograph
Ideally in natural lighting that shows your pets true coat colour
Taken at eye level, not too far away, close enough to show their eyes in clear detail or any unique characteristics/fur patterns
Remember, the better the picture the better the portrait! Larger portrait sizes allow for greater detail.
Please note: Turnaround times average between 4-6 weeks currently. I accept payment via PayPal or Bank Transfer. If it is a gift for a special occasion please let me know and I will do my very best to accommodate you. If you have any other questions regarding commissions, pop me an email (ginadugganart@gmail.com) and I would be happy to answer them!