A painting of an animal you loved, worked by hand in oil or acrylic from photographs you took yourself.
It starts with your photographs. Send a few, say roughly what size you have in mind, and Lorraine will tell you which frames she can paint from and what she would do with them. Ask for a price quote and you get one before she starts.
Lorraine Skelskey-Chapin paints in oil and acrylic from her studio in Southbury, Connecticut, and she works from what you send, so it does not matter where you live. Old pictures are usually enough.
How it works
- Send a few photographs and a rough idea of the size you want.
- Lorraine will tell you which photographs will work and what she can do with them.
- She quotes a price and a date before anything begins.
- She paints.
Portraits she has painted
The rabbits, hens, cows and sheep are in the animal paintings.
What it costs
Price depends on the size and on how many animals are in the picture. Ask, and you will get a straight number, quoted before any paint goes on the canvas.
Photographs that work
The photographs decide how good the portrait can be.
Light
Outside, in natural light, on a bright overcast day is best. Indoors, stand next to a large window and keep the sun behind you. If your pet has a black or very dark coat, wait for a bright day so there is detail in the face and the coat instead of a silhouette.
Where to stand
Get down to their level. Center them in the frame and shoot from a three quarter angle with the head turned slightly toward you. Stand far enough back that you are not cutting off ears, tail or paws, and take some close ups of the face as well, because that is where the character is.
Give them time
Bring someone to help with a toy or a treat to hold their attention. Take far more photographs than you think you need. One or two will be the ones she can use.
Which frames to send
A collar or a lead can be painted out easily. A sweater, or a ball in the mouth, cannot. Send the frames where the light is good and the expression is theirs.
Questions
- How long does a pet portrait take?
- It depends on the size and how busy the studio is. Ask when you call and Lorraine will give you a realistic date rather than an optimistic one.
- What if my pet has died?
- Old photographs are usually enough to work from. Send what you have and she will tell you which frames she can paint from.
- Can you paint more than one animal?
- Yes. It is easier if you have photographs of them at a similar distance and in similar light.
- Do I have to be local?
- No. Everything starts from your photographs, so it does not matter where you are.