What Mediums are Available
Colored pencils are my primary art medium. I can also use other mediums such as watercolor, watercolor pencil, or India ink as underpaintings for colored pencil portraits.
How much does a portrait cost?
The price of your portrait depends on the size. The larger the portrait, the more expensive.
Large portraits range in size from 20″ x 24″ to 30″ x 40″. Portraits such as this are usually full figure, pastoral, or sporting scenes. The price range for large portraits is $1,210 to $1,925.
Medium-sized portraits range in size from 14″ x 18″ to 18″ x 24″. Medium-sized portraits are perfect for portraits showing head, neck and shoulders, but pastoral and sporting scenes are also a good fit. The price for medium-sized portraits is $880 to $1,155.
Small portraits range in size from 7″ x 9″ to 11″ x 14″. Small portraits are also perfect for portraits showing head, neck and shoulders. The price for small portraits is $440 to $688.
Because the details of each portrait vary so widely, your price may vary.
Do you have less expensive portraits?
Smaller portraits are available in sizes 4″ x 6″ and smaller, also known as miniature art. The smallest portrait I’ve ever done is 2-1/2″ x 3-1/2″. Miniature portraits range in price from $165 to $275.
Portraits as Sketches are also available. Sketches are 8×10 inches, usually drawn on a toned paper with one or two colors of color pencil. Portraits as Sketches are available for $100 each.
Can you do something larger or smaller?
30″ x 40″ is the largest size possible due to the limitations of paper size.
Smaller work also comes with limitations, though this time the limitations are in the amount of detail possible. Colored pencils are ideal for miniature art, but the smaller a portrait is, the less detail that’s possible.
Contact me if you would like more information on custom sizes.
How long will it take to get my portrait?
The creation of a portrait is a lot like the training of a horse. Doing it right requires time. While the answer to this question varies with each portrait, there are a few guidelines that determine the amount of time required to complete a portrait.
Small portraits may take up to three months from initial review of photographs to signature.
Medium sized portraits require up to six months and large portraits may take as long as nine months or more.
The more complex the design, the longer the portrait will take. A portrait with a simple, tonal background requires less time than a portrait that features a farm setting or other specific location.
The final consideration is knowing how many portraits are already on my work calendar when you order yours. If your timing is good and I have no portraits ahead of you, I will be able to begin on your portrait quickly. If other portraits are in progress ahead of you, I’ll let you know up front and give you an estimated start date for your portrait.
In general, I make every effort to complete small portraits in six weeks or less, and medium-sized portraits in ten weeks or less. Once we’ve discussed all the details of your portrait, I’ll give you a more specific expected completion date.
Do you work from photographs?
Portraits can be created from your photographs, but the ideal situation is for me to meet with you and your horse. A personal meeting not only gives me the opportunity to take my own photographs, but allows me to see the horse in person and observe personality, quirks, and those details that make a portrait come to life. There is an intangible something in a portrait when I have the chance to see the horse in person that does not come through when I work only from photographs.
If you provide your own photos, high-quality digital images are best suited to portraits, but print photos are also acceptable.
Make certain to obtain written permission from the photographer who holds the copyright on any professional photos used.
What about the photos I send you?
I return all print photographs with the portrait. Digital images remain in my records, along with other portrait-related information.
How do I know I’ll like the portrait?
Every portrait comes with a satisfaction guarantee.
If you are not completely happy with the finished portrait, return it to me for a refund of the two-thirds balance. The initial one third payment is your earnest deposit and covers the cost of materials. It is not refundable.
However, in the interest of creating a truly pleasing portrait, I offer you the opportunity to approve every stage before I proceed to the next. You will have the opportunity to review designs and select the one you prefer. In addition, you have the opportunity to review and approve the preliminary drawing, the under drawing and the final portrait before delivery. You may participate in the process as much or as little as you wish.
In addition, I have been creating portraits of horses for over 40 years and have yet to have a portrait rejected. That is, perhaps, the best guarantee of all.
Will you frame my portrait?
Most portraits are not really complete until they are properly framed. If there is a reputable, custom framer that you trust in your area, the portrait can be delivered to you unframed.
In most cases, however, clients prefer to have me take care of the framing for them. That way, they have a painting ready to hang out of the box.
When I frame a portrait for you, I will consult with you on where the painting will be displayed and your preferences as to type or color of framing. Three to five frame samples will be provided for your selection, along with a digital image of each option and a quote for each option.
Framing costs are not included in the price of the portrait. The price of the frame you select is payable before framing is done unless we make specific arrangements when you order the portrait.
You can always add framing to your portrait after its completion.
I would like to give art as a gift. Can you do something quickly?
It is possible, but I stress that the best portraits require time for detail work. If you want to give a portrait as a gift, contact me now. Let’s talk about your project. Then I can give you a specific anticipated due date.
For Christmas delivery, the last day to place an order is September 1. Earlier is better.
Gift Certificates for portraits are also available. A custom made card will be sent to you to give the recipient, or can be sent directly to the recipient. Find out more here.
If you really want a custom-designed portrait in time for gift giving, consider a Portrait as Sketch. These can often be completed in one to two weeks.
Do you have ready-made art available?
Yes. You can see original artwork here.
Gift certificates are also available for original art.
