Frequently Asked Questions
How Does it Work?
Commissioning a custom work of art is a unique and exciting experience!
The first step is your consultation:
The first step is your consultation:
- Email your photographs of your beloved pet. The Artist's aim is to create highly detailed portraits, it is important to send the best you have.
- Work together with the Artist to choose the best composition, size and background color. It is also important for the Artist to know a little about your style and home decor, ensuring the finished work of art will fit right into your home.
- With these details solidified, an invoice is emailed, and your payment places your name on the wait list.
- Once the artist begins work on your portrait, you will receive photographic updates, allowing you to give input and be part of the creation and process. After all, you know your pet best! This will ensure you are 100% satisfied with the outcome.
- Once the painting is finished, dry, and you are completely satisfied, the portrait will be delivered via USP or USPS. Careful considerations go into preparing your artwork and packaging safely for shipping.
What do you paint and draw on?
Oil paintings are created utilizing traditional methods and techniques, painted on cradled wood panels. The background color is painted along the edges of the panel, creating a clean and modern look. They also come wired and ready to hang.
Why does the Artist choose wood panels over traditional canvas? The main reason is the beautiful smooth surface. See, a traditional canvas has the texture of the fabric which is made from, and Leah's details often were lost in the gullies of the fabric. With the smooth surface of the wood panels, her brush stroke can glide easily and cleanly, providing lots of details to the portrait. They also have a couple of bonuses: the first is that the wood panels are made here in America. The second bonus is conservation - unlike a canvas, you cannot easily puncture or warp the wood panels.
The drawings are created on drafting film, a slightly translucent polypropylene material. Leah uses many techniques to achieve the various textures unique to animals using a simple mechanical pencil and loose powdered graphite which she applies to the surface of the film with a dry brush.
Why does the Artist choose drafting film over traditional paper? Leah loves the inky and rich tones the graphite creates on the drafting film. The variety of techniques and methods she has developed using this material has not been possible to recreate on paper. Conservation is also another bonus - drafting film is produced out a polypropylene (a type of plastic) material, making it durable, and heat and light resistant. It will not yellow over time as does paper.
Why does the Artist choose wood panels over traditional canvas? The main reason is the beautiful smooth surface. See, a traditional canvas has the texture of the fabric which is made from, and Leah's details often were lost in the gullies of the fabric. With the smooth surface of the wood panels, her brush stroke can glide easily and cleanly, providing lots of details to the portrait. They also have a couple of bonuses: the first is that the wood panels are made here in America. The second bonus is conservation - unlike a canvas, you cannot easily puncture or warp the wood panels.
The drawings are created on drafting film, a slightly translucent polypropylene material. Leah uses many techniques to achieve the various textures unique to animals using a simple mechanical pencil and loose powdered graphite which she applies to the surface of the film with a dry brush.
Why does the Artist choose drafting film over traditional paper? Leah loves the inky and rich tones the graphite creates on the drafting film. The variety of techniques and methods she has developed using this material has not been possible to recreate on paper. Conservation is also another bonus - drafting film is produced out a polypropylene (a type of plastic) material, making it durable, and heat and light resistant. It will not yellow over time as does paper.
Is there a waitlist? How long is it?
Yes, there is most often always a waitlist. Leah works on a first-come, first-served basis and will attend to the portraits that are currently on her list. Sometimes, even after making your deposit, it may take up to one month or more before the artist will begin work on your portrait. You will receive a notification as soon as she begins. Please keep in mind, your deposit is the only way to secure your name on her list.
When Can i expect my finished portrait?
Many hours are devoted to creating each portrait, and completion can take anywhere from a month to a year. This detail will be ironed out in your consultation. A wide variety of sizes and options are available and absolutely everything is customizable. Completion will be decided based on size, medium and complexity.
How Much Does it COst? how are payments accepted?
For price listing, click here.
A non-refundable down payment of half is due before your name is added to the waitlist. The remaining balance must be paid before the completed portrait is shipped.
At the completion of your consultation, an invoice will be emailed to you. All major credit cards are accepted, as well as bank transfers through the invoice. Personal checks or money orders are accepted, however work on your project will not begin until the check has cleared.
* Listed prices are subject to change without notice. Quotes are good for 3 months. All details will be discussed during your consultation.
A non-refundable down payment of half is due before your name is added to the waitlist. The remaining balance must be paid before the completed portrait is shipped.
At the completion of your consultation, an invoice will be emailed to you. All major credit cards are accepted, as well as bank transfers through the invoice. Personal checks or money orders are accepted, however work on your project will not begin until the check has cleared.
* Listed prices are subject to change without notice. Quotes are good for 3 months. All details will be discussed during your consultation.
Do you offer payment plans?
Yes! Completely customizable payment plans can make it even easier to own a custom portrait of your furry friend. Payments can be billed weekly, monthly or bi-monthly. Each time a payment is due you can plug in your payment method of choice, or enter your card info once and it will be deducted automatically. A non-refundable deposit of one-third is due as your initial payment.
Why are deposits non-refundable?
When you commission a custom work of art, the Artist will incur certain costs associated with your project. The Artist must also adjust her calendar to accommodate your order, and may even turn away customers. Your initial payment secures your spot on the list, and provides the security and funds to begin your project. Therefore, the down payment or deposit can not be returned should you decide to cancel the order. Any future payments will be null and void. Thank you for understanding.
What if I want to add a Background or Multiple Subjects?
Sometimes a background is vital to expressing the full personality of your pet or to create a certain mood. The Artist is happy to recreate the surroundings of your pet to your liking with the accompaniment of reference photos. Because adding a background will result in more of the Artist's time and materials, there will be an additional fee of up to 40% of the base commission fee, depending on complexity, and will inevitably extend the due date of the finished portrait. Of course, this will be discussed during your consultation.
If you have more than one pet, or you'd like to be in the portrait with your pet, it is absolutely possible to include multiple subjects within the same portrait. However, to maintain quality and the level of details that the Artist strives for, portraits with multiple subjects work best on Medium sized or larger portraits. Of course this is negotiable and will be determined once the artist reviews your photographs. Each additional subject will incur a fee of 25% the commission fee. A quote will be provided during your consultation.
If you have more than one pet, or you'd like to be in the portrait with your pet, it is absolutely possible to include multiple subjects within the same portrait. However, to maintain quality and the level of details that the Artist strives for, portraits with multiple subjects work best on Medium sized or larger portraits. Of course this is negotiable and will be determined once the artist reviews your photographs. Each additional subject will incur a fee of 25% the commission fee. A quote will be provided during your consultation.
Working With Photographs
The quality of the photographs you supply the Artist greatly affect the outcome and quality of your finished portrait. It is very important to send photographs that exhibit great detail and focus. It is always suggested to send a few photographs to give the Artist a fuller understanding of your pet's personality and character and to see the different colors and texture of their fur. All these subtleties will make the portrait unique to your pet.
It is necessary that the Artist review your photos before your order is accepted. Unfortunately, what may seem like a great snapshot of your pet, may not translate as a beautiful portrait. Leah's aim is always to deliver her very best work to her customers, and to present a portrait of your beloved pet that you can be proud of. Please feel free to send an email with attached images to discuss your options.
You may send:
All CDs and photographs will be returned with the completed painting, however, you send duplicates in case something should happen to them.
It is necessary that the Artist review your photos before your order is accepted. Unfortunately, what may seem like a great snapshot of your pet, may not translate as a beautiful portrait. Leah's aim is always to deliver her very best work to her customers, and to present a portrait of your beloved pet that you can be proud of. Please feel free to send an email with attached images to discuss your options.
You may send:
- High resolution, 300dpi or greater jpegs through email
- A CD containing the images, or photographs through the post.
All CDs and photographs will be returned with the completed painting, however, you send duplicates in case something should happen to them.
What is the white glove serive? HOw does it work?
A portrait of your beloved companion is an investment, and you may feel the pressure of getting everything right - how to choose or take the right photo, how will it look in your home, and where will it be hung once it arrives? The Artist has created an exclusive service you will not see provided by other artists. An in-home consultation will allow Leah to meet you and your pet, allowing her to get to know your style and home decor, and more importantly to get to know your pet personally for a full sense of your companion's character. Leah will spend the afternoon taking photos of both your pet and your home. Once back in her studio, she will review her photographs and choose the best options for the portrait. You will be presented with a few options to ensure Leah is capturing the true essence of your pet's personality. This service starts at $400, and is based on your location. This fee includes travel time and 3 hours at your home. A quote will be provided during your consultation.
Terms & Conditions (the fine print)
The Artist offers a 100% satisfaction guarantee. During the creation process, she will send periodic stages of your portrait to ensure you are completely satisfied with the progress. This will allow you to collaborate with the Artist, guiding her to create the perfect portrait. Because you will be able to watch the progress and give input, it is not possible to return any balances paid. You will be able to view your completed portrait before it is shipped, and the Artist will work hard to ensure you are completely satisfied.
Your name, e-mail, phone number, address and any other private information will never be shared with anyone else. Ever. Only your name will appear in testimonial, and only with your consent.
The Artist owns all copyrights to the artwork and content on this website, as well as all commissioned work. All finished work may appear within this website, shared on social media platforms, and may appear in advertising. Although you own the finished painting, you may not reproduce the work without written consent. With that said it would be greatly appreciated if you shared your painting on social media - word of mouth is a powerful tool for a small business owner/artist. With consent you may share any works created by Leah on any social media platform, but you must credit @LeahDaviesArt or link directly to leahdaviesart.com - thank you!
Your name, e-mail, phone number, address and any other private information will never be shared with anyone else. Ever. Only your name will appear in testimonial, and only with your consent.
The Artist owns all copyrights to the artwork and content on this website, as well as all commissioned work. All finished work may appear within this website, shared on social media platforms, and may appear in advertising. Although you own the finished painting, you may not reproduce the work without written consent. With that said it would be greatly appreciated if you shared your painting on social media - word of mouth is a powerful tool for a small business owner/artist. With consent you may share any works created by Leah on any social media platform, but you must credit @LeahDaviesArt or link directly to leahdaviesart.com - thank you!