A painting of an animal you loved, made by hand, from your own photographs. Not a print, not a filter, and not something a machine did in an afternoon.
How it works
- Call or send a message with a few photographs and a rough idea of size.
- Lorraine will tell you which photographs will work and what she can do with them.
- She quotes a price and a realistic timescale before anything begins.
- She paints. You see it before it is finished if you want to.
Prices depend on size and on how many animals are in the picture, so there is no list. Ask and you will get a straight number.
Taking photographs she can actually paint from
This is the part that decides 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 rather than a silhouette.
Composition
Get down to their level. Centre 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 good frame out of sixty is a normal result.
Choosing which to send
A collar or a lead can be painted out easily. A jumper, or a ball in the mouth, cannot. Send the frames where the light is good and the expression is theirs.
Frequently asked
- 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?
- Many commissions are memorial portraits, and they are often the ones that matter most. Photographs taken years ago are usually enough to work 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.
