Here you will find out details of how to commission a pet portrait.
I will help you through the whole process from start to finish and will be happy to answer any questions you have.
Step One
Once you have chosen a pastel painting or drawing and the size you would like, please contact me from my contacts page or email me at info@heatherbillington.com to discuss the commission. At this point it would be a really good idea to attach some photos of your pet so we can discuss which one will be perfect for your commission.
What is a good reference photo?
The best photos show your pet when it is most relaxed. Good lighting and sharp focus are key and will allow me to capture the details and colours of your pet. I work from digital photographs from either a digital camera or smart phone. Large files are better as they provide me with the best colour and details.
For smaller sized portraits it is best to choose a close-up head shot that captures lots of details. If you want a commission of your pets full body then I recommend a portrait no smaller than 14×11 inches (35×28 cm)
If you would like me to create a pet portrait of more than one pet I am happy to work from two separate photographs and can discuss how this will look and the composition before I start.
If you have photos of your pet but you are not sure which ones to choose, just send them to me at info@heatherbillington.com I will be very happy to discuss which image would work best for your portrait.
Step two
Once you are happy with your choice of image and composition you will need to choose the size and technique you would like me to use. I can create your pet portrait as a black and white drawing in charcoal pencils, a coloured pencil drawing or coloured soft pastel painting. You can see my prices and different size options by going to my prices page by clicking the button below.
I prefer to create your pet portrait with a soft, blurry background as I feel it shows off your pet better. The prices are for portraits with such a background. However, if you would like me to create a more scenic background we can discuss your ideas before I start.
Once you have established the size, technique, and are ready to commission your pet portrait from me I will require a 10% deposit from you to secure the booking before I start your commission.
Stage Three
Before I start your pet portrait I will confirm the composition you like and send you my draft sketch to check you are satisfied.
I like to keep you updated as the portrait develops and will send you photos from my easel. Some people like the surprise and do not want to see the development pictures so we can discuss this when I begin your commission.
It usually takes between two and three weeks for me to complete a soft pastel painting and a little shorter time for a charcoal or coloured pencil drawing depending on how busy I am at that time. I will be able to tell you when I will aim to have your portrait completed after you have secured the commission and I will keep you updated during the creating.
Stage Four
Once I have finished, I will let you know and send you a photograph of the finished portrait for your approval. At this point I will ask you to pay the balance in full and then the cost of shipping.
Framing
If you would like to have the portrait framed I will be happy to discuss this with you at this point. I usually recommend that you have your artwork framed with non-reflective glass so that you get the depth of colour and tone of the materials.