Creating a Portrait of Your Pet

All of my portraits are referred to as "paintings", no matter whether they are done in pastel, acrylic, or oil. See my article "Pastel or Acrylic - Which is Right for Me?" to understand the differences. I do a lot of drawings as part of the production process but I don't usually offer those for sale except as caricatures or gesture drawings.

For painting animals and children, working from photographs is a necessity since the subjects will not sit still. Capturing this energy level and intensity is one of the challenges for these subjects and a talent with which I seem to have been blessed. I can create a painting from a single photo but I prefer to have a selection of shots that shows the subject's personality, coloration, and texture. I have done many memorial portraits of animals and people from a very limited set of photos.

When possible, I prefer to shoot my own reference photos and/or video. If I can meet my subject, I can capture their personality better (and of course, getting to play with dogs or cats is a great pleasure). In order to get enough various shots, I shoot digital photos; usually between 40 and 60 but I do just keep shooting until I feel that I've captured a good base of images. I live in Plano Texas and travel in that area to photograph my subjects. I prefer to do the reference photographs in an environment where my subject is comfortable and relaxed and their personality can come out.

If you want take your own photos or judge whether existing photos will work, see my tutorial on "How to Photograph Your Pet for Painting". I work from digital images and prefer to receive images in digital form via e-mail. If you send me printed photos I will scan them into my computer systems before I begin work. I will return any photos that I use in the process of creating your painting by Priority Mail unless you direct me otherwise. I have found that Priority Mail, FedEx, or UPS works better than regular USPS mail for sending photos and registration for tracking is a good idea.

Whatever, the source of the photos, I will review them with you, either in person, on the phone, or via e-mail. We will select a primary reference photo for the pose and lighting but sometimes I will extract elements of other photos for details that are better represented.

Once the reference photo has been selected and details agreed upon, I will create a digitally composed version (called a "comp") of the elements and aspects that we agree upon and send that image to you. Because of the simplicity, I prefer to work by e-mail but I can post images to a preview gallery on the web or mail printed photos.

Once we agree upon the medium (pastel or acrylic) and size of your portrait, I will give you an estimated completion date. If all is satisfactory to you, you pay me a $100 deposit and I will schedule work on your portrait.

When I feel that the painting is completed, I will photograph it and send you a digital copy or print for approval. If you see any details that need to be changed, I will make them and make sure that you are satisfied with the results by sending further photos of the finished painting. When you agree that the painting is as you want it you pay me the remainder of the price and I will deliver or ship the final product to you.

If you have any other questions about the process of creating a portrait of your pet or any request about special commissions not described here please contact me by e-mail at dave@k9portraits.com.