How
do I order my pet portrait ?
Ordering
is simple - and you have three options.
1/ Print out my order form by clicking on the form
button top left of any page on my website. Print the form,
fill it in and post to me with your photos and 30% deposit,
cheques payable to 'dreambox'. If your photos are digital
you can instead email these to me - but still post your
form.
2/ Order using the PayPal® buttons on the ordering
page (a 30% deposit at this stage). Then use my more
simplified form, copy and paste this into an email
and fill it in, attach your digital photos and email to
me at Steve@PetPortraits.co.uk.
3/ Alternatively, purchase a gift voucher. Click
on the gift voucher button at the top right of any page
on my website. You can buy securely using PayPal®.
I'll email a personalised gift voucher for you to print
out on your home printer which you can present as a gift.
Ordering info can be found on the Order
your portrait page.
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Can
I order a pet portrait if I live outside the UK ?
Sure, no problem!
I've often taken commissions from the US, Australia, Canada
as well as from all over the UK. Delivery costs will depend
on the size/weight of your portrait as well as your location.
Get in touch to enquire further.
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What
portrait sizes do you offer, and how many animals fit
on each one ?
I offer five standard sizes of canvas:
Ex Small - 10" x 12"
Fits 1 small animal head - or - whole body of small animal
or bird.
Small - 12" x 16"
Fits 2 small animal heads - or - whole body of small animal
or larger bird.
Medium - 16" x 20"
Fits 1-4 animal heads (depending on size of animals)
- or - whole body of small to medium animal.
Large - 18" x 22"
Fits 1-4 animal heads (depending on size of animals) -
or - whole body of medium animal (can be life size).
Ex Large - 20" x 24"
Fits 1-4 animal heads (depending on size of animals) -
or - whole body of medium animal (can be life size). Can
also allow two life size studies of medium sized animals.
Discounts are given on multiple small mammals and birds
in a portrait.
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Do
you offer bespoke canvas sizes ?
All my canvases are hand made using wooden stretcher
bars and quality fine art canvas.
If you're looking for an unusual size I can easily do
this for you. The cost of the job would be adjusted accordingly
so please get in touch to get a quote.
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Do
I need my pet to pose for you or do you work from photographs
?
Most of my commissions are for customers some distance
away, as a result all my portraits are created from photos.
Simply make sure - if possible - that your photos are
a good likeness of your pet. When placing your order you
can also make reference to your pet's nature and give
me any relevant info in the 'additional notes' section.
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Can
you give me some advice on photos ?
• If possible please send me at least two clear close
up photos of your pet's head. Photos are always best taken
outside in natural light. Indoor flash photography can
wash out your pet's natural colouring, and cause red-eye.
• Focus on your pet's head, and get as much of the
head and neck area in your photo without cropping off
the ears. Try to take the photographs at your pet's eye
level, without having it look up at you unless you want
this to be the final pose in your portrait.
• If you want a full body portrait also supply detailed
photos of the complete animal, without cropping paws and
tail (if the detailed head photos match - perfect!).
• Another tip is to avoid being too close to your
pet which can cause distortion, instead, stand a bit further
back and zoom in - still filling the photo.
• Additional pets, features, or backgrounds can be
combined from separate photographs, and elements such
as unwanted backgrounds, collars and leashes can be omitted.
• If your pet doesn't sit still for you, try holding
up a favourite toy near your camera so its attention is
directed where you want it to be. Brand new squeaky toys
work great - but don't over use the squeak!
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Can
more than one subject appear in a painting ?
Yes, this is certainly possible.
I've worked on paintings with as many as seven pets in
one portrait and the results are always outstanding.
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Is
it possible to have a more detailed or complex background
for my pet's portrait ?
Sure!
I can either add a background with diffused colours and
tones to enhance the pet or I can create an entire indoor
or outdoor environment. I work with the client to determine
what background would best set off the pet. However, in
most cases a soft diffused background works just fine!
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Can
I have a number of pets from different photos combined
into one painting ?
Photo editing comes as standard and is available for
every order - and it's free! Have as many pets as you
want in your painting!
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What
happens when my portrait is finished ?
After I've completed your portrait I'll let you know by
email.
You'll be able to come back to my website and proof it
by clicking on the easel button at the top right of any
page.
After you've checked it and paid the balance (on being
happy of course) - an appointment will be made for collecting
the finished portrait from my studio.
Alternatively, If your order is to be dispatched I'll
send it to you guaranteed delivery or by courier.
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Can
I proof my finished portrait ?
See Q+A above.
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Can
any changes be made to my portrait once finished ?
Once a painting is varnished no changes can be made.
However, I don't varnish portraits until they have
been proofed and verified as finished by the customer.
Changes can be made at this stage - but only relatively
minor ones.
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How
is the surface of my portrait finished ?
I brush my portraits with two coats of acrylic solution
satin polymer varnish, manufactured by 'Golden'.
The solution also has UV filters to block out any harmful
rays. Although this isn't necessary as the fine art
acrylic paints I use are permanent and 100% colourfast!
The finished result is moisture proof and can be cleaned
with a soft cloth dampened with a light detergent solution.
For more info on the varnish visit: www.goldenpaints.com
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Can
I clean my portrait without damaging it ?
See Q+A above.
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Will
my pet portrait fade over time ?
See Q+A above.
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What
medium do you use to create your portraits ?
I use Daler-Rowney Cryla paints.
These are quality 'Artist's heavy body acrylic colours'.
I much prefer these paints and avoid using cheaper 'student'
quality media. For more info on the paints visit: www.daler-rowney.com
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Do
I have to pay any money before seeing my pet portrait
?
I want you to be confident that your money will be well
spent!
I also need to know that your commission is genuine. So
I take a 30% deposit up-front, before I start the painting.
This is not refundable. However, my guarantee is this
-
"If you're not happy with the finished portrait you're
not obligated beyond the initial deposit!" Instead
the portrait will remain my property.
To date I haven't had any unhappy customers and I'm confident
you'll be nothing but pleased with your finished portrait!
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Do
you offer a money back guarantee ?
See Q+A above.
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How
do I make payment ?
After proofing your portrait pay the balance. Once cleared
into my account I'll dispatch the painting to you.
You have a couple of options:
A ... Pop a cheque in the post
B ... Pay securely with your credit or debit card using
PayPal®
I'll set up a personal payment page for you, which is
a faster option if your portrait is needed in a rush.
This is also the preferred payment method if you live
outside the UK.
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Is
it safe to use my credit card ?
My website uses a PayPal® shopping cart system to
process your transactions.
PayPal® is a secure and trusted online payment method,
and you can be assured all purchases are 100% secure accepting
a wide range of cards including - Visa, MasterCard, Delta,
Electron, Switch, Solo, eCheck, American Express and more.
You can be confident that your transaction is protected,
indicated by the padlock icon in the browser window when
typing in your credit or debit card details.
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Is
PayPal® complicated to use ?
It's simple!
A/ When you want to order a pet portrait or gift
voucher using PayPal® simply click on an 'Add to Basket'
button.
B/ You'll be taken to the shopping basket summary
page where you can see what you've added. You can remove
products, amend quantities and return to browsing so you
can continue selecting items adding them to your shopping
basket.
C/ To view your basket at any stage just click
on the 'View Basket button'.
D/ Once you're happy with your chosen items, and
have checked your basket, to buy them click on the Checkout
button to link to the PayPal® secure payment page
to complete your order. Fill in your postage and payment
details - and remember - this page is secure indicated
by the padlock icon in the browser window.
E/ A confirmation page will be displayed once your
order has been successfully placed. Also, an email receipt
confirming the order will be sent both to me and to the
email address you entered on the payment page.
F/ Your credit card is then deducted by | |
