Tips For Commissioning a Pet Portrait
Tips to help you get the best outcome
Do look at the work and style of our member artists – look at their own page and their channels.
Ask for their availability, sizes offered and fees - they may be booked up for weeks or months ahead, especially in Oct- December for Christmas commissions – book early, it won't go off!
Do expect to pay a deposit to secure a slot, as they will need to set aside a few days or weeks for your portrait, along with associated communications with you, packaging and dispatch.
Ask what the composition is to include - head only, head and chest, full body, background?
Ask if you will see progress shots and be able to approve as the portrait progresses.
When the portrait is finished will the artist allow any further changes? Most artists will allow a couple of minor amendments – some can’t due to the nature of the work or materials used.
Ask what the fee includes – work only? The work in a mount or frame? Gift wrap?
Check the type and cost of delivery and what happens in the event of damage or loss.
Most of the above can be covered in the Terms & Conditions of the artist, and in their contract or agreement. Ask to see them.
By commissioning the portrait you are buying a service and product for your specific use. The artist still retains copyright over their work, to possibly share online or use as an example work. Please discuss this use with your chosen artist.
The actual artwork produced:
There are 3 ways to produce pet art: (in addition to 3D sculpted clay, wood or textiles)
1. Traditional hand drawn or painted, scored or etched on paper, board, wood or canvas, usually from a photo reference you supply.
2. Digitally produced artwork, using a photo as reference but using painting or drawing techniques on a screen, with a stylus replicating a brush or pencil stroke - as a traditional artist would.
These first 2 methods are supported by the members of PPAUK. However the third method below we would view as just photo editing and is not offered by any of our artists.
3. Embellishing or altering the original photo you supplied, or to apply special effects to make it appear painted. Often using cheap apps or free photo editing software. We include AI art here too. All requiring virtually no artistic training or skill
If anything relating to art or the art world on this website or in any communication with a member is unfamiliar to you, please take a look at our Glossary of terms.
