ARTWORK COMMISIONING INFORMATION
 I like to publish a copy of the final portrait to the website gallery for your approval, I also email you to let you know it is ready and give you the link to the website, the final portrait is sent to you when payment has been made. I can accept payment by cheque or paypal and the portrait is sent to you as soon as funds have cleared.
I will send you a quote with a final price to include post and packing once I am confident that I can produce a good quality portrait from your photos. When you have received that quote and are happy with everything we have discussed only then do you commission the portrait by contacting me and giving me the go ahead
Drawings are packed in cardboard tubes with some suggestions on caring for your art. My aim is to produce a portrait you are happy with that reflects the character of the subject so I may ask you lots of questions to help me fix a final image in my imagination. I find that I need to ‘see’ what I am drawing both physically and in my mind to create good quality art – it also helps me through the fatigue side of MS.
All drawings are on acid free, good quality A3 art paper and are treated with a fixative spray to help preserve and fix the drawing. The fixative can slightly darken the tones in the portrait but I allow for this when I am adding tone.
 Pencil Artwork Commissions
I undertake pencil artwork commissions from photographs, I enjoy my work and love the point at which a drawing or painting begins to come to life. Each portrait is done to the best of my ability and I take great care to produce a good interpretation of the subject which remains true to the images you ask me to work from. I want you to be happy with your commissioned portrait so please be aware that art is all about interpretation and whilst I try to produce a good likeness there will be subtle differences between the photos and the portrait if I get it right.
My best work is often a combination of features from the photos you send which produces a very individual yet good quality recognisable likeness that is not identical to any one photo. Drawings usually take 4-6 weeks, depending on the time of year and current demand, I can usually produce a good quality portrait within 4 weeks.
If you have a particular date in mind then please let me know so that I can get the portrait finished ready for your approval with enough time for posting to you. I do need good photos and have provided some information which includes useful tips and techniques, if you are unsure about the suitability of your photos I am happy to look at the images and let you know.
OIL PAINTING COMMISSIONS
I am taking a limited number of oil painting commissions this year (or acrylic painting) as I still want to devote enough time to developing my new direction as an artist. These will be strictly on a first come first served basis and I will update the website when I have filled my ‘quota’ for the year.
I want my customers to be happy with their art, if I have filled my quota for the year but you desperately want a portrait for an extra special occasion then please contact me as I may still have time to give to those commissions that tug at my heart strings!
Canvas size is flexible and only dependent on the sizes I can buy from my supplier, if you want to commission an oil portrait contact me with a guide to size you would like and I will let you know what sizes I can get that are close to your request.
Prices are dependent on what you want in the painting, a plain background will be quicker to paint than a detailed complicated background. Prices reflect the time devoted to each portrait, including any research I need to do and preparatory sketches.
Prices start at £375 for an A4 portrait with a plain or rough background.
Again, as with pencil sketches, I will give you a final quote including post and packing and wait for you to commission the portrait before going ahead. Portraits are sent to you signed for delivery once payment has cleared.
GUIDELINES FOR PHOTOS
Please remember when choosing photos that my aim is to produce good quality portraits for you and to do this I need to get the details right as I can only draw what I can see, I can interpret some areas if necessary.
Some tips that may help when taking or choosing photos:
Ideally several well focussed good quality photos, close ups of detailed areas are especially helpful
Take photos outside on a slightly overcast day without flash from about 3-6 feet for children/pets on a level with their head. This helps to reduce foreshortening effects. Strong sunlight can produce dense dark shadows which make it difficult for me to see details, flash and strong sunlight can both washout colours and tones.
I am happy to attempt a drawing from a high resolution photo via email but I may need to ask to you to send me hard copies if my computer struggles to download the images. Sending them one or two at a time which may help.
If you are not sure if the photos are clear enough or you have old photos that you would like me to use as source material I am happy to look at them and let you know if I can produce a good portrait from them.
I take very good care of your photos and return them to you with your final portrait if not before.
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