Portrait or Caricature?

Portraits are generally head and shoulder views drawn formally with the texture, colour, layering, flow and pattern of fur depicted in black and white. They are formal and literal in their portrayal.

Caricatures use swifter, sweeping flow of line and scribble to help exaggerate physical characteristics, capturing the very essence and spirit of the dog.

Size?

I mostly work at A3 paper size (257 x 420mm, 11.7 x 16.5”). The drawn image is typically set within a border of 65 x 65mm (2.75 x 2.75”) to allow a decent margin for the frame to surround the picture with a mount.

I would not wish to  restrain you to this choice however. My aim is to give you the picture that you want and would happily discuss other sizes of work with you.

Framed or Unframed?

Ordinarily, I would provide the drawing to you unframed because I think that the choice of frame is a very individual decision best made by you and your picture framer.

I do however recognise that you may wish me to provide you with a framed picture and I have a framer that I work with. Again, I can discuss options and costs with you in more detail.

Price?

I charge £180.00 for an A3 sized unframed portrait commission (257 x 420mm / 11.7 x 16.5”). I will add a postage and packaging cost to this.

I charge £85.00 for an A3 sized unframed caricature commission (257 x 420mm / 11.7 x 16.5”). Again, I will add a postage and packaging cost.

I would be happy to discuss other Size prices with you.

I also have a range of caricature drawings for sale as Limited Edition Prints at both A3 size (257 x 420mm / 11.7 x 16.5”) and A4 size (297 x 210mm / 11.7 x 8.3”).  Please see the Caricature Gallery for more detail.

I can discuss the additional costs of framing and postage and packaging with you, should you wish to receive your drawing framed.

Please also note that I am also happy to discuss a payment by instalment option with you for commissioning original portraits and caricature drawings. Please do let me know if this would be helpful to you

How do I commission a drawing?

Straightforward! The steps below take you through the process. I hope they are easy to follow but please do contact me to discuss questions that you may have.

1.Decide whether you would like a portrait or a caricature of your dog

Have a look at the Portrait Gallery and Caricature Gallery to see examples of both styles of drawings.

2.Take some photographs

This is the most important stage! It is always best to take a selection of photographs to choose from.

The best photographs are close-up’s of head and shoulders for both portraits  and caricatures. They need to be sharp images in focus with the subject shown in natural daylight. I can work with you to select the best photograph to draw from. I will always let you know if I think that a photograph needs re-taking or ask you to select another photograph if a re-take is not possible.

3.Email the photograph to me

Use the contact me details provided to email me your photograph or photographs. Let me know which is your preferred image. I will email you by return to acknowledge receipt of your photograph (photographs) and agree the image with you. I will confirm the price and give you approximate start and completion dates.

I will always try to get you your picture by your preferred date. If you want a picture for a specific date (a birthday or anniversary, for example) please do contact me as early as you can so that we can make it happen. Timescales will also need to take account of the picture framer’s timescales if you wish me to organise framing for you.

4.Payment of your deposit

Next, I require a deposit payment from you. This will be 50% of the total sum for the paper drawing that you commission (exclusive of postage and packaging costs). This is a non-returnable sum and secures a commitment on my part into my work plan and a firm indication to you of targeted commencement and completion timescale.

5.Commencement

I now commence your drawing. I will spend time studying the agreed photograph that you wish to have drawn together with any other photographs and information that you have provided.

6.Keeping you up to date on progress of your commission

Please have a look at my News section in which I describe the production process that I follow. I will send you regular emails with progress photographs and notes as the drawing moves forward. I would encourage you to come back to me with queries that you may have as we progress so that we can achieve your commission together. It’s also great to hear from you!

7.Completion

… and then comes the point where the image is complete. I will email you with the final image, including close ups of the detail for you to see.

I will title and sign the drawing.

I will then advise you of the postage and packaging cost and will require the settlement of this together with the remaining 50% cost of the commission itself. I will again provide a secure route for payment. Once this has been received, I will send the completed drawing to you.

If you wish me to organise framing the picture for you, I will have given you an indication of framing styles and timescales as the drawing nears completion, for you to choose from and agree. I will request a quotation from the framer for you and advise you of the additional cost and confirm the timescale for framing with you. I will require you to send me a third payment for the framing and postage and packaging costs again through a secure route, prior to commissioning the framer and posting the completed work to you.

8.Secure payment

Contact me for further details

9.How will my drawing reach me?

Unframed drawings are carefully rolled and packed into robust cardboard tubes, sealed and secured then sent by First Class tracked mail to the address you specify

If the drawing is to be framed, I will work with the framer to pack and post it to you.