Ordering a Pet Portrait
I aim to produce beautiful, bespoke, coloured pencil portraits of your pets that are drawn to a high level of quality. Commissioning a portrait of a beloved animal is a unique and personal piece of artwork that you and your family will treasure for many years. I work from your photographs using professional standard materials to ensure the highest quality and for a portrait that will last a lifetime. To order a pet portrait, email me at info@sashamalikart.co.uk with pictures of your pet and details of the size you would like. A list of my sizes and prices can be found here.
Tips for taking a good photo can be found below.
What You Get
- Totally unique, bespoke artwork
- Finest quality materials with maximum fade-resistant colours
- Friendly and professional service
- Free postage with reliable and tracked delivery
Tips for Choosing the Right Photo
Your choice of photo is an important first step - for a commission I will usually need a high quality digital photograph of your pet. Multiple photographs are welcome and feel free to send me as many as you like – this way I can advise on selecting the perfect image for your portrait. If your pet has passed away I am happy to work from the photographs you have, where possible.
To draw your portrait accurately and with the highest level of detail, your photo should have good lighting and not be blurred or out of focus. Taking photographs outside on an overcast day is the best option for achieving a good quality photo. Points to consider when taking a photo:
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- Does this image show my pet's true colouring?
- Am I able to zoom in on the photo and see details clearly?
- Can I see all of my pet's features I would like the portrait to capture?
The image should consist predominantly of the animal’s head and shoulders (however this is not a hard and fast rule and is totally dependent on what you want from your portrait!). Eyes are always important since I find they capture the personality of your pet – are they open and catching the light (unless, of course they are intentionally looking away or closed?). It's a good idea to photograph subjects at their eye level, which usually means kneeling down to take the photo at their level.
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The Process
After we have agreed on a suitable photo and a 50% deposit has been placed, I can begin work on your portrait. Turn-around time will be estimated when discussing your commission, although you can usually expect the artwork to be completed within 2-3 weeks. Completion times may be longer during busy periods such as Christmas, so it is a good idea to book in advance if you are planning to gift a portrait.
I will usually share progress updates of the portrait on social media accounts - however, if for any reason you would rather I withheld from doing this until after the portrait is complete I am happy to do so. Once finished and you are completely happy with your portrait, the remaining balance will be invoiced and it will be delivered to you!
Shipping & Delivery
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I offer free UK shipping with all orders. For international delivery, please contact me for a quote. Your finished portrait will be shipped to you securely protected, flat, and unframed. UK orders will be sent via next day Special Delivery.
Please feel free to contact me with any queries you may have. You can also check out my FAQ page for more information.
