FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS 

 

 

 

• ​WHAT MEDIUM DO YOU USE?

 

 

 

I use Professional Grade Watercolor Artist paints on acid-free 140# paper.

All of my finished paintings are 13” x 16” framed.

 

• WHAT IS YOUR POLICY ON RETURNS/EXCHANGES/REFUNDS?

All paintings are FINAL sale. 

Please text me with any questions or concerns. (570) 352-2872

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• WHAT TYPE OF FRAMES ARE INCLUDED? 

WOOD finished in Black or White - includes glass and are ready to hang. The finished size of your painting, including the frame is 13” x 16”. 

 

• WHEN CAN I EXPECT TO RECEIVE MY PAINTING? 

• The turnaround time depends on how many portraits I am currently working on, but I can typically complete a painting in 7-14 days. All pet portrait paintings are done in the order I receive them. I will let you know the approximate wait at the time of your order. If you have a special date you need it by just let me know and I will advise if I can accommodate.

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• DO YOU PAINT PEOPLE?

Simply put, no. You'll need to look for a Human Portrait painter. 

I have tried, but they come out looking flat and demonic! ha.

• WHAT MAKES A GREAT PET PORTRAIT GREAT?

I work very closely from ONE reference photograph.  A good photo is VERY important.

Long story short - the better the photograph, the better the final painting. Take note of these key points::

 

•       DISTANCE/ Movement - Perhaps the biggest mistake clients make is to send me photos that were taken of their dog/cat running across the yard or perhaps rolling on their back, jumping for a treat etc. While these "action" photos show me personality - they are not something I can use for a portrait. Your portrait will be primarily of your pet's face and perhaps a small part of their body, therefore - you want their BEST FACE - the most flattering, well-lit, cutest shot of their beautiful face taken CLOSE UP or semi Close- up from 4 -10 feet MAXIMUM.

                                  ALWAYS ask yourself   "Is THIS face/pose, lighting, something I would want in Portrait form?”

 

•      LIGHTING - if at all possible - take or send a photo that has been taken in natural light. NOT bright sunlight but natural light.

Avoid Flash photography. If you have the “LIVE” feature on your phone - use it - it yields multiple frames from which to edit.

 

•      QUALITY - The best Photos were taken with a good quality camera or phone which gets higher Megapixels will yield a better photo = better painting.  Shoot from your pet’s eye level by sitting or lying on the floor. Try not to take the photo from above your pet as such photos are often disappointing.  Be patient. Have someone attract your pet’s attention behind you while you shoot or hold a treat in your hand close to the camera. Try making a high pitched tone or whistle to get your pet in an alert pose.

 

•      FOCUS - one “trick” I learned recently is to AIM FOR THE NOSE. Something about focusing on that feature results in a photo that does the best job capturing personality.

 

•      REMOVE - clothing and any other extraneous distracting elements from the photo. I generally do not include those items in the portrait unless specifically requested.

 

•    PERSONALITY - Each pet is a unique and wonderful animal. And YOU know YOUR pet and his/her quirks and special traits better than anyone. Try to capture those unique traits in your photos.

You can email your questions to leapoffaithpaintings@yahoo.com

I will reply within 24 hours. Thanks! Kelly