FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
REGARDING CUSTOM ART ORDERS
DO YOU NEED A PHOTO TO START MY PAINTING?
If you ordered a painting of a pet, person, or home, then the answer is: yes. I work from photos to ensure I capture the best likeness and am able to provide the best customer satisfaction.
HOW MANY PHOTOS SHOULD I PROVIDE?
Generally, several is better than one. But if one photo is all you have, I can work with that. If you have several, I will choose with your input the photo that will best serve as the main inspiration for the painting. However, sending additional photos can help me to better understand details that may not be evident in the main photo (i.e. close up photos of eyes, fur/hair, building color or other details).
IT SAYS A QUALITY PHOTO, CAN I USE A PHOTO TAKEN WITH MY PHONE?
Yes. Most modern phones take great quality photos. Blurry photos can be difficult to paint from, as many details aren't evident.
TIPS FOR TAKING THE BEST PHOTOS
1) Don't wait for the perfect pose. With digital cameras, taking more shots will give you a better chance of taking a great photo.
2) Natural light- especially with darker subjects (i.e. a black lab) is generally the best lighting for most photos (and will help avoid the glowing eyes).
3) Avoid harsh lighting- by taking photos in the morning or evening or of the subject facing indirect light coming from a window, you can avoid a lot of harsh shadows. Try to avoid photos taken in direct, overhead sunlight.
4) Experiment with angle and distance. It's always a good idea to a take a few up close and a few from further away, as well as to play with different angles.
WHAT IF I DON'T HAVE A "GOOD QUALITY" PHOTO?
I understand that it's not always possible to get a great quality photo (i.e. in cases where a pet or individual has passed or trying to recreate a home that you lived in many years ago). In these cases, I will do my best to help recreate the memory for you.
WHY DO YOU ASK FOR PREFERRED CONTACT?
In the case of a custom photo, the artist needs to work closely with the person that has ordered the painting. This may require the artist to contact you regarding inquiries of colors (i.e. of eyes, home exterior, etc...) that may not be evident in photos. I will often send progress photos and allow you to request minor adjustments before the final painting is finished. It is important to do your best to respond as promptly as possible, so that they painting can be finished in a timely manner.
WILL MY PAINTING LOOK LIKE MY PHOTO?
Art will always have some differences from a photo. I do my very best to capture the likeness and essence of the subject. If, when a photo of a subject is chosen, you choose to have something different (i.e. add leaves to trees, adjust hair in photo, etc...) some minor adjustments may be requested. These changes should be requested at the beginning of the painting process.
WHY DOES MY PAINTING LOOK DIFFERENT IN PERSON THAT IT DID IN THE PHOTO THAT WAS SENT TO ME?
As with all digital images, photo colors and quality can vary based on the screen it is being viewed on. When sending photos of the art, I do my best to capture good quality lighting and best capture the colors, but due to variations in screen settings, colors in person may vary somewhat.
HOW LONG WILL MY PAINTING TAKE?
This answer varies widely based on several factors. These include 1) the detail and subject of the painting and 2) the amount of orders ahead of you, and 3) time taken for shipping (if shipping is required). For example, generally speaking, people take much longer than pets. If there is a detailed background, this will also add time to the final product. For most basic paintings of pets and homes, the turn around time (once the painting is started) is about 2 weeks. When your order is placed, I will reach out to you to let you know when the painting can be started. You can also reach out to me to request an estimate before your order is placed, but this could change by the time the final order is placed. When placing an order, please let me know if there is a "must have by" date, and I will let you know if this is possible. If it is not, a refund can be provided within a reasonable time of the order being placed.
ARE REFUNDS AVAILABLE?
Once an item is started, due to the custom nature of the items, I am unable to offer refunds. However, if the painting has not been started, a refund of 75% of the original cost is permitted. The remaining 25% is kept to cover supplies that have already been purchased for the piece. ** If an order has been placed and a refund is requested within 48 hours of placing the order, as long as the painting has not been started, a full refund can be considered by the artist. (This policy is to help protect customers that order an item but realize the tentative date of completion will not be satisfactory.)
ARE THERE WAYS TO PAY WITHOUT PAYING THROUGH THE WEBSITE?
Yes. If you prefer cash or check, please reach out to me, and I will provide you with the needed information.
WHY DO I NEED TO PAY FOR MY PAINTING BEFORE IT'S FINISHED?
Paying for your painting ahead of time, allows me to hold your place in line. It also allows me to plan ahead and purchase the supplies needed for your painting. Unfortunately, paintings can't be started until payment is received. Please see refund FAQ for additional information.