Q: Pet Portraits
A: Our valued pets have become part of our lives and continue to make a difference to our lives. And that is the reason why we capture moments with them such as with the use of imaging or photos so as we can cherish memories with them. However, having your pet shown in oil and canvas can make a whole lot of difference. Your pet can be drawn life-like on pet portraits with the medium of oil or watercolor. The difference between pet portraits and a digital image is that it its drawn originally by hand, making it more special to celebrate life with them. If you hire an artist to make your portraits of your pet, you can request to have it framed or not after. Most would leave the framing decision to you as they see it as a personal preference but others can arrange everything for you and you simply enjoy their craftsmanship without too much hassle on your part. When you hire a professional servicing to make your portraits, it is best that you check their samples. Yet in this field, most service providers have been tested by time and adhere to high quality standards with regards to the material and to the quality of the portrait. 100% handmade, detailed and personal, pet portraits would surely satisfy your taste for a medium to cherish moments and live life with pets regarded as a family member. Whether you prefer custom drawings, paintings from photos or simply the magic of fine arts, you will not regret choosing fine arts to capture memories of your pet. Much more, it would be a gift to your pet if it is drawn by a prominent painter. If you want to capture moments with them forever, pet portraits are a good way to show their value. Bring your pet to life in fine art portrait of oil pastel.
Top
Q: Custom Pet Portrait From A Photo
A: Everyone has a different view of what they are looking for when submitting a photograph to a portrait artist. The artists goal is to paint a beautiful masterpiece out of what he sees. When it comes right down to it, what is it that you ultimately desire in an oil painting? Perhaps the way you always want to remember your pet by, is with all the little imperfections that show off your pets best personality. Or maybe you would like to see your pet finely groomed in the coziest of backgrounds. An artist could create perfect grooming, according to your instructions with, or without the perfect pose. However, the artist has never seen your pet or child in person. Unless the artist is there live, he cannot view your pet or child with your pet from different perspectives. Capturing a great pose is very important for the artist that is painting an oil painting and using the photo as the subject. Pet Portraits "Patience and the Pose" Not everyone has the patience, time, or endurance to capture the perfect photograph of pets or children with pets. It seems children and pets all have little patience, a mind of their own, and that never appears to be what the impatient photographer is looking for in the perfect pose. This is especially apparent when taking photographs of more than one subject. Here are a few tips to help you capture that perfect moment. We all know that the best portraits seem to almost come naturally. So how do we go about getting a natural portrait? One way, don't miss the perfect pose. Carry your camera with you always. Are you looking for the playful and happy pose? Then be playful. Sometimes the perfect pose depends on your mood, if you're playful, so will your subjects. Think of things that make your pets or children happy. We all know that food is, number 1 with pets and candy number 1 for children. Portrait Photos "Preparation When, and Where?" Try to give yourself "good timing" Directly before, or after a meal may or may not be the best time depending on the type of portrait you are looking for. They think hungry or relax, unfocused or satisfied and you think play and lets take some photos, which may not give you the exact mood, you are looking for. Think about the times in the past that your child or pet has acted the part out and looks the best, then follow that example. Photo Preparation "Ideas on Grooming and Getting your Pet Ready" The sun may not be your best type of lighting choice but the sunshine seems to always bring out the best in our furry little friends! Fur perks up and all the little hair follicles seem to stand out perfectly. Also the cold. Have you ever noticed how your pets fur looks after they have been out in the cold. Baths, grooming, and a good old fashion pet shampoo is another favorite for getting perky fur. Photos, How Many? "What to Keep and What to Throw out" Take many photos and throw nothing out. Later they may just become more useful than you might be aware of. This requires a little artistic imagination on your part. You may think that because the photo is not centered correctly that the photo is unusable. Not so. If you have a great shot of your pet, it can be edited, zoomed in and centered for what might be the next million dollar pose. What else? For example: Eyes can easily be cut and pasted into a new photo or given to the portrait artist to replace the not so perfect eyes with the perfect ones. Same goes with the rest of your photos that are not worthy of becoming an oil portrait. Each photo is important and may very well be exactly what you are looking for when combining it with another photo. Photo editing programs allow for the removal of the legs, paws, tail, body, background or any part of the photo for future use when presenting to an artist. You might not think something is worth keeping but later may very well be the perfect fit for a specific pose. Remember! Hard drive space is cheap. Losing memories and recreating what you once had can be time-consuming and expensive. Portrait Backgrounds "Ideas" Ask yourself this question. Do I want a studio, detailed still background, or do I want a natural environment background? All produce great portraits. You may either take your pet to the background or bring the background to the pet. If you want to try something with endless possibilities, here is a tip that you may like to know. Choose a photo of a great background from your photo inventory or search the web for ideas. There are thousands and thousands of royalty free backgrounds, paintings or pictures available for you to use as you like Whether you are using a background for creating a photo portrait or in preparation for an oil painting portrait, any background can be removed and replaced. However, for the very best results try to use a contrasting background color. Plain white or very light backgrounds for darker colored pets or a plain dark background for lighter colored pets. For multi colored pets, try to use a color that is contrasting to their colors. For children? It is best not to use too dark of a background for a child that has dark hair or an off white background for a child wearing a similar color T-shirt-shirt. Why? Whether this is for editing a photo portrait to add a different background or for combining photos and backgrounds into an oil painting, it is much easier for photo editing or much easier for the artist to capture even the finest of details of your pet or child. Final Portrait Preparation "Putting it all Together" If you have a little bit of time and experience with basic cut and paste editing procedures combined with a little knowledge on photo editing programs, you too can easily create an unforgettable beginning to a piece of fine art and originality.
Top
Q: About Pet Portraits Artwork
A: Most of us have love pets that we love and want to be part of the family. By having pet portraits, we get to keep the image of the pets even after they are long gone. Getting your dog portraits as a child birthday gift can be such a joy. You can have the painting made with the child holding or playing with the dog or any other pet for that matter. There are many options of the type of painting that one can have for their pets. Each type of painting has a different cost implication. There are also various techniques of having the dog portraits. Painting Options and Costs There are various painting options available for your dog portraits. An artwork can either be a pencil drawing, a full color portrait, a acrylic or watercolor painting, charcoal drawing or a fabric art impression. You can also get a incision impression on a wood background or on any other type of background. Each type of pet portraits requires different skills, materials and expertise to produce a good piece of art. Therefore, the costs of each type of portrait will differ. Based on your budget and your preference, you can settle on a design and type of portrait for your dog portraits. Live Painting By Painter Besides the materials and technique used to make the pet portraits, the method of producing the artwork also differs and each method will have different cost impact, time of production and quality of finished product. A live painting involves an artist drawing the pet as they look at it. This is a very tricky process as pets are hard to keep still and it becomes hard for an artist to draw the pet if it keeps changing positions. Therefore, just as is the case with children, live artwork for dog portraits is not recommended. Photo to Painting Photo portrait painting is much easier for pets. It involves the artist making a drawing of the pet by using the image from a photo. The artist can use the same background as that on the photo or they can create a new background or leave or the background all together. A good artist is able to get a quality painting of the pets by drawing from a photograph. You can select an ideal photograph that you prefer to have it drawn into a painting. You can also get a professional photography capture photos specifically for the pet portraits. Machine and Cartoon Painting Other more recent ways of having dog portraits include machine art and cartoon art. There are software that can produce an artwork of a photo. These machine art is quite good and much cheaper than that produced by an artist. Cartoon paintings can also be made by a cartoonist or by use of similar cartoon software.
Top
Q: The Beauty of Pet Portraits
A: A golden rule that most artists don't seem to adhere to is "Never work with children or animals". But what do you do if your preference is to draw animals? Animals, like children, rarely stay still long enough for you to complete a work of art. If the most likely problem arises, that you can't get you're pet to stay still long enough for the artist to complete the drawing or painting, you do have alternatives. Picture Perfect If you are like many pet owners, you probably take as many pictures of your pets as you do of your kids. Take a look through your current stash of pet photos and see if there is anything there that you think could be transferred to a nice portrait. You may want to choose a few so that the artist can decide which one will make the best portrait. Don't look for perfection. If the artist is good, he or she can make the changes that you want to improve the drawing or painting. Photo to Art Most artists these days prefer to draw or paint the portrait from a photograph. They don't need to worry about getting it done before the pet gets bored and moves. There's no need to rush. You can choose to have the piece of art done with the pet only, or you can choose to have the background of the photo included, or maybe even a background that you or the artist suggests. Anything goes - after all, it is your pet portrait and it should be done to match your style and décor. Type of Pet Portraits Here's where another choice comes in. Do you want a pencil pet portrait, a colored pet portrait, a painting - acrylic or watercolor, or charcoal?Of course, whichever method you choose, the cost won't be the same. For example, a pencil drawing without a background will cost much less than a full-color painting, but it will be just as nice. Pet portraits are the perfect way to immortalize your pet. Just make sure that you know that the artist you choose is good at their craft, and draws in a style that you like. You don't want to pay for pet portraits that you won't be happy with forever.
Top
Q: Choosing a Pet Portrait Artist
A: There are also a multitude of pet portrait artists out there all plying their trade on the internet. They offer a range of services from oil, acrylic and water colour to graphite and pastel mediums. Some will frame your portrait for delivery and others will leave it to you. However, the first and most important decision is to find a pet portrait artist whose style you most like, whether it's their watercolour or pastel work or their individual technique. You'll know instinctively who can reproduce the best likeness of your pet but - and this is the second most important point - most artists work from supplied photographs, so make sure that you have quality photos of your pet to send. Your favourite snap of Fido might not be suitable for your chosen artist to work from. It may be too blurred or simply not do him the justice your artist wants to bring out in their work. If you don't have a really good picture, think about obtaining some fresh ones. Your chosen artist can always advise you. As a general rule, try and get three or four images pointing out which one is most true to your pet's colour. Try to avoid a really sunny day when the pictures are taken as the sun will cast dark shadows on your pet and will distort the colours. Likewise avoid a really dull overcast day. Ideally, take your photographs with your back to the sun and at their level rather than looking down to avoid any distortion or an unnatural pose. Make sure they are facing the camera if you want a head or head and shoulders pet portrait and try to get as close to your pet as possible whilst staying in focus.Taking size first, apart from your budget, considering where your pet portrait will hang is really important; you don't want a large picture dominating a small room. On the other hand, you need to choose a size that best portrays your pet. Ideally you wouldn't really want the subject in the portrait to cover less than the area of an A4 sheet of paper and if you want more than one pet captured think bigger definitely. The background you choose is a matter of personal choice, but an important decision nevertheless. It is a big cost factor too. Some plain but complimentary backgrounds can be very effective and a good artist should create a three dimensional portrait of any animal. But a flat background is only two dimensional and well, flat! My personal opinion is that there's nothing like a natural setting behind any pet portrait and, whilst more expensive, it will really bring the portrait to life. Framing is a difficult one. Different artists will charge different prices. My best advice is to get a quote from your chosen artist and then your local picture framer. Also take into account that delivery charges will be cheaper for an unframed portrait. Obviously, if you find a huge difference in cost the decision is made for you, but ultimately, if there's not much in it price wise, there's nothing like unwrapping a beautiful framed picture delivered to your door.
Top
Q: How to Select a Pet Portrait Artist
A: Our pets are family so thinking of having a portrait painted of one, or all, of them is only natural. Who wouldn't want to immortalize their best friend with a beautiful piece of fine art? Pet portraits can be expensive, so choosing the right portrait artist for you is key to ending up with a work of art that you will both enjoy and cherish forever. 1. Finding an artist - Pet portrait artists are not as common as one would think. Many artists are completely intimidated by the idea of representing someone's loved one, even if it is 'just a dog.' Portraiture, whether it is human, dog, or horse, is a specialized field and most artists will not attempt it. So, your first step in finding a portrait artist is to confine your search specifically for artists positioning themselves as pet portrait artists. It doesn't really matter whether or not your artist of choice lives near by or even in the same country. Most professional pet portrait artists work with clients from around the world, so don't let the artist's location worry you too much. We will talk about shipping internationally later. 2. Looking at their portfolio - an artist's portfolio is a collection of examples of their work. As you find artists online their websites should have images of past work. When looking at a portfolio of work you want to keep a few things in mind: • Do you like their style? Can you imagine their work in your home? • Do they have plenty of examples of portraits? 2 is not enough...20 or more is a good start. • Are they consistently good across their portfolio? Or are some works great and others so-so? • Do they use colors that you like? Many artists stick to a particular 'palette' so if you like bright colors and the artist only uses browns and grays and blues, keep looking. • How well do they do the animals' eyes? (the eyes are the windows to the soul...bad eye, bad portrait!) • Do they have testimonials? This is a nice-to-have, but it helps to know that other patrons, such as yourself, have been happy with the overall experience of having their pet portrait done. • Do they work in a medium that you like, ie. watercolor, oil, or charcoal? 3. How Much Does it Cost? - a good pet portrait can be had for somewhere between $200 and $1000, depending on the size and medium. Oils typically cost more due to the extended process and expense of the materials. Pencil and charcoal are often the least expensive, with acrylic and watercolors rounding out the middle. Bigger pieces of art are, of course, more expensive. 4. The Commission Process - every pet portrait artist runs their business differently, but typically, there are a number of things that will be the same: • Your Budget: commissioning a work of art from a pet artist might feel intimidating at first, but it can really be very simple. Pet portrait artists are professionals who work with people just like you every day - people who love their dog or cat, and who love art. But, at the end of the day, you still need to pay for that work of art. Determine how much you can afford to spend on your pet portrait either before, or as you, start looking for artists. Many artists will have their price lists easily accessible on their websites. In some cases, you will have to contact the artist and ask them about their pricing. • Initial Contact: when you find a pet portrait artist whose work you love (and that you can afford), the first thing to do is to contact them to discuss your project. Email is usually a good place to start. Some artists may prefer the phone. Either way, it is up to you to make the first move. Tell them about your pet, even include a digital photo, if you like. • Reference Photo: I don't know any pet portrait artists that ask your pet to 'sit, stay!' while they paint! They all work from photo references. A pet portrait will only be as good as the reference photo, so this is a key part of the process. You will need to supply a couple really good shots of your pet to the artist for consideration. You can take the pictures yourself, if you are good with a camera, or have a friend do it. Some people even hire a local professional photographer to take the photos. How ever you do it, high resolution digital images are required. If a pet is deceased and all you have are print photos, ask your artist if they can work from them. • Deposit: Since this will be a custom work of art for you of your dog, cat, horse, or hamster, most artists require a deposit to start work. This will get you on their calendar, especially during the busy season before the Holidays, and will be a commitment on your part that you are going to purchase this portrait when it is complete. Expect a deposit to range from 20% to 50% or more. Most artists take credit cards, PayPal and money orders. When you contact your artist, ask them what sort of payment methods they accept. • Production: This is where the pet artist produces your work. Expect good artists to have a backlog of work and that you will be put into their queue. It might be a few weeks or even more, before you get your portrait, so keep that in mind. The artist will typically email you a photograph of your portrait when they have completed it for your approval. • Approval: Every artist that I know wants more than anything for you to be happy with your portrait, so be sure to ask the artist about the approval process. If you are not happy with the work, you should not have to purchase it. Some artists may ask that you forfeit your deposit, but most artists will work with you until you are happy with the finished result. • Payment and Shipping: most artists expect to be paid in full before they will ship you your portrait. Packing and shipping costs are typically paid by you, so talk about that with your artist before you commission a work. Overseas shipping and customs costs might make it prohibitive, depending on your budget, so look into that before you say 'yes'. Large works will often be rolled in a tube to save shipping costs, but this adds some work on your end. If the work is on canvas, you will have to take it to your local framers to be 're-stretched' and then framed, if you wish. • Receiving Your Art: most artists will ensure that your portrait is 'ready to hang' when you take it out of the shipping container. If your portrait is on canvas, it should be pre-strung with a wire for your convenience. Be sure to ask if your art will be 'ready to hang' when you get it. Art that can't be hung easily and right away is like a battery-powered toy for Christmas and no batteries!
Top
Q: Get Your Personal Pet Portraits
A: There are lots of homes who opt to have their beloved pet particularly dogs or cats. In this world, the art of pet portraits is gaining more and more popularity. In fact, there are lots of people who want to have their personal masterpiece which features their four-legged animal companion. But today, you could able to have your perfect art canvas in the form of pet portraits. What is more exciting is that there is no requirement of posing for hours (based on the fact that you cannot as your pet to have a perfect pose). All you have to do is to give the best picture of your pet to the printer and let him do the final product. Perhaps, you may be asking why get your personal photo canvas that portrays a pet. Well, I could say that this may not be one of our necessary needs but this kind of masterpiece has an emphasis of true appreciation to the existence of art. Pet Portraits Are Manifestation Of An Artistic Mind As what was emphasized earlier, ancient paintings came in a human subject. But, because of creativity and efficiency of many painters, there comes a formulation of a certain portrait that features an animal or a pet. You may not be a true painter but choosing to have excellent pet portraits could boost up your sense of artistic selection. The Life Of Pets Are Shorter Than Human So, what's the connection of pet portraits to the above phrase? To tell you, a lot of people love their pet too much and they even treat them as family members. Perhaps, you might not be an exemption to these people. However, sad to say that our pet will leave us sooner or later and worse, in our most unexpected time. So, instead of settling in an ordinary photograph, why not get and hire an artist or send those photographs to the chosen printing company for your pet portraits. Excellent For Any Home Decoration Are you thinking of a pet portrait inside your bedroom? Well, what an excellent decoration, right? How about in your stairs? Actually, any pet portraits will do as long as for home decoration purposes is concerned. This is as lovely as those traditional paintings. Ideal For Any Gift-Giving Purposes Maybe, your friend or special someone will celebrate their birthdays. So, instead of buying a jewelry or have an international tour, just settle to a portrait that features his pet. This present is more meaningful to the recipient especially if he is a pet lover.
Top
Q: Getting a Perfect Shot For Pet Portraits
A: There are lots of home especially in US have their own pet specifically dogs and cats. In fact, most pet owners treat them as their own family. What is sad about these cute and lovable animals is that their life span is shorter compared to human. It means that they will leave us sooner or later unexpectedly. Because of that, some pet owners avail their own pet portraits to preserve the memories of their beloved pet that has been a part of their lives. Train Your Pet With Basic Commands Basic training does not require you to send your pet to an expert trainer. Since that you are the owner, you have to train him with some basic commands like sitting, staying, standing and lying. Obviously, this process needs patience because the mind of the pet is far different from ours. This practice will help you capture his best pose that will reflect to your personal pet portraits. Expect Failures In The First Attempt Pets in nature especially cats are sensitive to camera especially with a flash and sound. So, don't expect to have a perfect image with a first shot. The most possible thing to happen is that your pet will run away as you are trying to capture his image. So, it is an advice to bring your camera with you all the time. Who knows? You could possibly capture a nice pose of your pet without him knowing. But then, you have to try harder if you are dealing with a cat! Do Not Force Your Pet To Pose This is the common mistake of the pet owners who want to get their perfect pet portraits. Some owners bring their pet in the photography even that the animal is not in the proper mood. Forcing your pet to do a certain thing that he don't like will not give a positive result for your pet portraits. So, if you wish to get a good image of your beloved animal, just let him play and relax. Make sure that your camera is with you always to capture his multiple images. It is also a cute idea if you have an image of your sleeping cat or dog. This is great for a perfect portrait, isn't it? Use The Natural Light It is mentioned above that most pets hate the flash of your camera. So, it is encouraged to turn off the flash if you want to get a good shot. It is also a good idea to use a natural light rather than the artificial one so you could bring your pet in your garden or backyard in the late afternoon or early in the morning where he could play. Take it as an opportunity for your bonding as well as capturing his images for pet portraits.
Top
Q: Tips For Pet Portraits
A: Whenever there's a special occasion that requires the giving of gifts, only a few people usually feel the need to spend more than a few moments on thinking about a gift that would really mean a lot to the recipient. When giving gifts, we should always remember that it's truly the thought that counts so no matter the price tag attached to the gift, if it strikes the recipient as impersonal, the gift would then be not as special as you want it to be. Whatever the occasion, as long as the recipient is a pet lover, you might try considering giving him or her a portrait of his favorite pet as a gift. A lot of pets who display almost human intelligence like dogs can serve a lot of purposes in a person's life and provide not only aid in their daily routines but also friendship and protection. Pets unfortunately have a short life span, compared to that of humans, so people can enjoy only a brief relationship with their pets.With a portrait of their pets, they'll be able to remember them and never forget what they look like. When they feel that they miss their favorite pets, they only have to look at the portrait and feel as if their pets are always nearby. There are artists who specialize in pet portraits. If you're considering giving pet portraits as a gift, it's best to spend time researching for artists who truly have expertise in doing pet portraits. Doing pet portraits after all is not as ordinary as sketching apples because you need to master a few skills, for instance, when trying to perfect the look and color of an animal's fur.Doing a portrait of any animal or pet would also require an infinite amount of patience and expert guidance that not all artists possess. As they're animals, it's impossible to expect them to follow your every order. If you don't want to base the pet portraits on photos, you may have to offer your pet several incentives to let him obey your wishes. Offer them treats in exchange of staying still for a certain period of time. If it's okay with you, a sleeping pet is no doubt a better subject than one who's awake.
Top
Q: Pet Portrait Art - Immortalizing Our Furry Family Members
A: We all love our pets. We all tend to love our pets unconditionally and beyond reason. And they love us back unconditionally. They bring us joy, they amuse and entertain us, they comfort us and are always there for us. We play with them, ply them with toys, and photograph them incessantly. We enjoy looking at the photos we snap of our pets almost as much as we enjoy looking at them. A lovely way to honor and commemorate our pet is to have an artist create a custom portrait of them. We all have dozens of photos of our furry friends that we have taken over time, and any one of them can be transformed by an artist into a unique and very personal work of art to hang in our home. That shot you have always liked so much of Duke in mid air catching his favorite frisbee; the photo of Tiger, deep in kitten mischief, that you managed to capture in spite of her speed; these priceless moments all make for wonderful art portraits. A pet portrait is something special. It is a work of art. It portrays a pet with a depth and uniqueness that can surpass what a photograph shows. A work of pet portraiture is a fun thing to give to oneself, but it becomes an excellent gift idea to surprise someone else with. If you are searching for that super special gift to give someone, the gift that they would never be expecting, the gift that they will cherish forever - this is it. A portrait immortalizing their beloved pet is a surefire winner.For a special occasion, for a gift giving occasion, or for no reason other than that we love them beyond reason, think about having a work of portrait art created that captures your pet's personality and proudly displays it for all to see and enjoy. After all, they are family.
Top
Q: Perfect Shot For Your Pet Portraits
A: Can you imagine how wonderful and lovely the portrait is with the pet as a subject? Indeed, it would be a special gift to anyone especially to the pet lover. Commonly, we capture the image of our pets like dog, cat, horse, bird and fish that may be an excellent photo gift for our special someone. Well, why not get the service of a certain artist who can turn those ordinary photographs to lovely pet portraits? Because of the advent of technology, you can have an online shopping for the professional artist who specializes in pet portraits. But if your are living in the city where there are lots of art galleries available, you can visit the art shop and have an arrangement regarding to your desired pet portraits. One advantage of this is that you can monitor the development of your pet portraits because the place of the shop is just near to your location. Hence, working with an artist nearby is more special. However, there are some advantages of finding an artist through the Internet. There's a possibility that the expenses are being reduced and the chance of getting the most talented artist is high due to the wide range of selection. If you choose to get the service of an artists who will do your pet portraits through online arrangement, you need to upload your pet's photograph. Well, let me remind you that taking a good picture of your pet is very hard and it is a tough task for you. Pets are far different to human as long as posing for a camera shot is concerned. Therefore, you need to be patient and creative in taking its image that will reflect to your dreamed pet portraits. It is also an advice to turn off the flash since that most animals are sensitive with it. Some photographers use an artificial light to enhance the human subject but not for pets. Natural light is still the best option for it works well with the good appearance of the shot. So, to avoid a harsh midday sun, you can have a photographing session early in the morning or late in the afternoon. The rule of colors must also be observed in the selection of the background. Remember that a light-colored pet is best focused with a darker background and the dark-colored one is good with the association of a lighter background. Send or upload the favorite photograph to the site of your chosen artist. He will immediately work for your pet portraits and send to you the draft that will reflect the original product. After your approval, the product will be delivered depending on your arranged deadline.
Top
Q: Dealing With a Pet Portrait Artist
A: Because of the demand of pet portraits all over the world especially in some cities in the United States, the number of artists with a specialization in pet portraits is also increasing. Actually, getting an artist to create your dreamed pet portraits is not difficult. Thus, it is important to have a good relationship between yourselves to have a clear understanding in the creation of an artwork. 1. Have A Personal Conversation With An Artist It is a good idea to speak with your artist to assure yourself that he really has a passion towards his profession especially in painting of pets. This might not be applicable to all cases but the one who loves animals may likely be more appropriate since that he is already equipped with passion on these subjects. A personal conversation might be in the form of personal meeting or a telephone call. 2. Know The Payment Mosts artists will ask you to pay twenty to fifty percent of the total price of a portrait. After getting the original pet's photograph and the payment, your artist will going to work for it and send a draft of the original artwork. You have to approve the final appearance before it is being shipped or delivered right at your doorsteps. Basically, you will be asked to pay for the remaining payment upon the completion of the portrait. To have a further information about the amount you have to set in this product, artists have a variety of available sizes and styles that determine the price of an artwork. You can choose whether you want a head shot, whole body painting or even a multiple animals as subjects on pet portraits. 3. Choose Your Personal Medium You have to specify the type of medium to be used in your pet portraits. There are lots of media available like acrylic, oil, pastel, watercolor, charcoal or even a colored pencil. Hence, your chosen medium also affects the price of the product. Some media like oil and acrylic may be more expensive but need not to be framed. On the other hand, pet portraits made by watercolor, pastel charcoal and colored pencil need a framing that may oblige you to spend an additional amount. 4. Discuss The Time For A Delivery Maybe you want to have your pet portraits be delivered before your upcoming party. In this connection, you have to discuss it with your artist for him to know your time frame. You should remember that most artists have a lot of clients, so if possible, be early in closing the deal.
Top
Q: Pet Portraits For Pets That Makes a Difference to Our Lives
A: Having pets make a difference to our lives. It keeps us happy, patient, loving and let us know how to value friendship and love. These are the good values that our pets impart to us. And it is due that we capture moments of them in a very special way. While we may capture moments with them in a single click of the camera, we can make it more special with pet portraits. Having your pet portrayed in oil and canvas can make your pet very special. The artist can capture the spark of your pet and you can even request to personalize the painting. Painting can be set from several modes such as from photo to painting or by scenario painting where you and your pet can pose. Portraits can be painted life-like even with the medium of watercolor. If you will hire an artist, make sure that they have been tested by time so you are assured that they are made with a heart. Most painting services would let you decide if you are going to frame the painting or you will allow them to do it for you since they treat it as a personal decision. Yet, it is a wise decision to leave the job to them as they have the expertise to find the perfect frame that would fit your pet portrait. Enjoy their craftsmanship without too much hassle on your part by hiring professional servicing. Experience the magic of fine arts and capture your moment with your pet. Portraits are a good way to show their value. Bring your pet to life in fine art portrait of oil pastel and canvas and show the world how special your pet is.
Top
Q: Dedicate Pet Portraits to Cherish Memories of Your Pets
A: If you want to cherish memories with your pets, one of the best ways is by dedicating pet portraits to them. Know how to find experts to do the portrait of your pet so as to treasure your experiences with them. Pet portraits are not new. They existed decades ago however; pet portraits today are given a new taste and a new look. If you are thinking about commissioning an artist to do the portrait, look for an artist that uses only the only the finest to create exquisite portraits in pastel. The artist should be able to capture the true character and personality of your beloved pet dog, pet cat and other animals. By this, you can enjoy and cherish it for a lifetime. Most artists would have a portfolio to show their craftsmanship and expertise in fine arts. You can browse on it and choose what style and medium you want to follow for your pet portraits. There are artists that can offer Warhol style of painting while others would make the painting life-like. Oil in canvas or watercolor painting or whatever the style or the medium that you may prefer, the value comes from your intention to cherish the moments you have with your pet for a lifetime. There are at least two ways to do the portrait of your pet. One is you can bring a photo of your pet and let the artist convert it into painting and second is you can opt for a painting session where your pet can pose. You may request for the background of your painting as well. Being hand-made, this makes the craft personalized, detailed and original adding value to the material. To make it live long enough, you may opt to have it framed as most servicing would offer framing services to you adhering to high quality standards that would fit your pet portrait. If you do not wish to have it framed by them, then they would leave the decision to your hands. With portraits, you bring the value of your pet to a next level by making your memories last for a lifetime. Make it personal and cherish each moment and make the experience fun and satisfying.
Top
Q: Pet Portrait - A Great Alternative For Your Beloved Pets
A: Humans, pet lovers especially, possess an unbounded love for pets. These days, however, life has become so busy that it is not possible for an owner to give proper time to one's pets. So, they look out for other alternatives to this situation. One sophisticated way of expressing one's unrestrained love for pets is to get a pet portrait painting made. Just like customized human portraits, pet paintings can be made on demand. Such arty creations are finely detailed by skilled professionals so that they lend a realistic feel to the viewer. This implies that whenever people view any one such portrait, they feel as if they are watching a real living animal. It is for this reason that most individuals go on to get their pets portrayed with a pet portrait. It fills them with an emotional feeling as if they are viewing their own grown pet Having a pet portrait painting is a simple gesture to reflect love of an owner towards his pet. People who love their tamed animals boundlessly try to capture all their innocent moves so as to track record of some beautiful memories. They therefore, go to highly expert portrait painting artists who can create remarkable masterpiece of their pets. A professional painting artist can carve out such an art piece that will neither tore away nor fade out. These pet portrait paintings are long lasting and help to bring memories alive. Pets can never be replaced but their cute poses and personalities can be outlined and painted on canvas so that they can be sighted at any time point. Go, get one made for yourself!
Top
Q: Pet Portraits Make Perfect Birthday Gifts
A: Birthday gifts should be significant. We all enjoy receiving birthday gifts that show that the giver has given special thought to making the gift personal and special as well as appropriate. Giving a school shirt to a young child is almost as bad as giving a tie to someone who already has 20 ties in his closet. Birthdays gifts that are practical, useful, or necessary items should be given for school graduation, retirement parties, Christmas or other holiday celebrations, but birthdays should be seen as opportunities to give something unique and meaningful. Pet owners are the easiest to buy birthday gifts for Pets stimulate natural positive human emotions of caring and nurturing and serve important functions in the lives of their owners. Young children form very close emotional bonds with their pets and older children learn about caring for their pets and the responsibilities of having an animal companion. Older people depend on their pets for companionship and comfort, and people with serious illnesses have even shown marked improvement in their health when they enjoy the company of an animal. From the beginning of Man domestication of animals, cats and dogs, fish and birds, and other small animals have shared living space with their human owner. Pet animals have adapted to humans and humans have responded with care and affection, even to the point of considering them 'family'. This close attachment is the reason why giving people birthday gifts that include their pets can be just as successful as giving gifts that relate to their children or spouses. The hard way to make pet portraits for birthday gifts If you are planning to give a portrait of pet as a birthday gift you could tell the pet owner in advance what you want to do, and schedule a photo session to take digital photographs of the pet. Then, you could order an enlargement to be printed of the best shot, and after you receive the print you could take it to a frame shop to have the printed portrait mounted under glass in a frame. This method is time consuming and could become rather expensive. The easy way to make pet portraits for birthday gifts A much easier and more thoughtful way - especially if you like to give surprise birthday gifts - is to take digital photographs of the pet when the pets owner is not around. You may have to enlist the help of a relative or friend to accomplish this. Once you have a great photo, upload the digital image to an online art gallery that offers full services for printing on canvas. In one sitting, you can choose the enlargement size you want and have it printed on canvas using the giclée printing technique. At the same time, you can choose a frame. The gallery should give you final approval of the image before they print it and ship it to you. You will be very pleasantly surprised how inexpensive the portrait will be and at how quickly it will be processed and shipped. Birthday gifts that outdo all expectations There is no substitute for the surprise and pleasure that receiving a pet portrait will create. As birthday gifts, print on canvas pet portraits are personal, heartwarming, appropriate, and will last a lifetime. The receiver will probably tell you it is one of the best birthday gifts he or she ever received.
Top
Q: Pet Portraits - Tips For an Elegant Shot
A: Having a good photograph of a certain pet will generally lead to a more elegant and naturalistic appearance of your personal pet portraits. Actually, getting an excellent image of your pets particularly dogs and cats are frustrating for they are not human that could be given an instruction to pose for awhile. There are some people who hire a professional photographer to have an assurance of good pet portraits. Actually, you can also make yourself as a professional photographer in time. All you have to possess is patience and hard work in getting a perfect shot of your four-legged animal companion. Your finished pet portraits will likely be amazing and enchanting to every pair of eyes. There are some suggestions for you to follow to have a good result of your pet portraits. One of the most necessary things to do is to have a good lighting. The best place that could be suitable for pet photography is usually in the outdoor settings. Hence, it might be also experimental if the photography session is taken place inside the studio or house with the use of artificial light. You should also avoid the direct sunlight so it is therefore an advantage to take a photograph of your pet in the morning or in the late afternoon. You should also avoid or rather turn the flash off to have a minimal possibility of red- eye effect. A flash can also distort or destroy the natural color of your pet and the shading of the subject. It is also an advantage to your part if you'll train your dog or cat of some basic commands like sit, stand, and lie. Well, if possible, you have to make them be familiar with a digital camera, like giving them an assurance that a certain device is harmless. You have also to keep in your mind that taking a picture level with your pet is better than requiring your pet to look at you while taking his photograph (this may be impossible for a common pet to do). Well, you could sit on the grass and have several shots without your pet knowing. Plus, you can have perfect subjects that features a playful appearance for your pet portraits. As what is emphasized earlier, pets are hard to be captured with the use of a digital camera. If you encounter the same problem with your pet, you have to do an initiative to catch his attention. A toy or any treats will do. It means that you could hold it near the camera to get his attention and grab that chance to take a photograph.
Top
Q: Dog Pet Portrait - A Perfect Gift for Your Dogs
A: Placing a dog pet portrait in one's home is one of the most loving gestures which can be provided by an owner to his pet. Pets are considered as most loyal friends of human beings. No matter what the state of affairs is, they never set back from their duty. For this reason, well known pet portrait artists formulate truly magnificent creations of pets which can be placed by owners in their houses. Since the dog is one such animal who is mostly adopted by individuals as a pet, beautiful dog portraits are designed by experts on demand of their owners. Most humans think that creating a pet portrait painting is an easy task, but actually it is not. Animals are very restless and they can't even pose steadily for a longer time periods. An excellent dog portrait painting therefore requires due concentration and expertise from the portrait artist point of view. It is of utmost relevance that they outline brilliant images of these animals with a personal touch. These dog pet portrait paintings are the best ways to reinforce a love bond between the owner and their dog. Apart from their single poses, a group of portrait paintings can also be designed which will have more emotional touch. Apart from dogs, people can attain truly artistic pieces for other pets too on their special demand. Best medium in which these memories can be formulated is with oil portrait paintings. People who truly love their pets and want to experience a never ending boding with them can hang such a dog pet portrait in their homes.
Top
Q: Design Magnificent Masterpieces by Pet Portrait Artists
A: Pets are considered as the most loyal friends of human beings. They not only provide their owners with a feeling of security but also fill the gap of loneliness that the owner may be undergoing. For such reasons, people look for a skilled pet portrait artist who could outline and paint a realistic pet portrait painting from a picture of their loved animals onto canvas. A pet portrait artist is a highly skilled professional who is well known for crafting these timeless creations. These celebrated artists must have been working on such portrait paintings for long time spans which is why they have gained expertise in this field. Only a professional pet portrait artist can outline magnificent pieces so it is of utmost relevance that individuals go to such experts only. These professionals provide really excellent masterpieces in varied kinds of forms. Exquisite pieces designed with distinct color coordination can be procured by them. Artistic pictures are designed by professionals as they are highly passionate about this creativity. There are some pet portrait artists who take on to the activity as a medium for life sustenance while there are others who do it for pure fun and their life's passion. Such a pet portrait artist has introduced an all new form of portrait painting with oil colors which is known as custom painting. Humans can get really outstanding portrait paintings of their pets made through these talented portrait artists. Such portrait paintings can be hung at different corners of a house so that a personal touch can be felt at every corner. Really extraordinary pieces are crafted by these artists so as to provide them truly magnificent art pieces.
Top
Q: Custom Pet Portraits for Loved Ones
A: Not everyone on this earth has enough patience, endurance and time to capture photographs of their kids and pets of every innocent move. This is because pets and kids themselves are restless living beings. To overcome such a situation, custom pet portrait paintings are sketched by some of the most well known individuals. Skilled artists outline these portrait paintings by taking necessary guidelines from already clicked photographs of these living beings. They alter some of the detailing from the clicked photograph so that a truly magnificent piece can be obtained. Due concentration and expertise are put into art by such pet portrait artists. Really exceptional creations are designed by them by making only a few changes such as the color of clothes, background etc. These custom pet portraits are the finest way to capture all charming expressions of loved pets. The main motive behind introduction of this form of art is to truly accentuate the beauty of already clicked photographs. With such lucrative changes, a truly magnificent picture is procured for a pet which can be reserved closed by as a gesture of love. Beautiful portrait paintings of pets can be created by incorporating different forms of colors such as water based, pastel, oil, acrylic and gouache. Capturing a natural yet great pose is the basic essential for a great pet portrait artist. So, if it is not possible to sketch a pet's image on the spot, pictures can be created with their photographs only. Custom pet portraits are an elegant way to show love of owners towards their pets. Even if individuals don't own a pet but possess a heartwarming love for animals they can buy these truly exquisite pet portrait paintings.
Top
Q: Custom Pet Portrait - A Loving Gift Idea to Last a Lifetime
A: A custom pet portrait will hold a special place in the heart of the person who receives it. It is a loving gift that will create memories to last a lifetime. Whether it is of a current pet or of one who has passed away, a custom pet portrait can be given as a unique gift to commemorate any occasion. Unique Gift Ideas Commissioning a custom pet portrait is a great birthday gift idea and would make a unique Christmas gift. Something with the special meaning that is enclosed in a pet portrait would even work for smaller occasions such as a housewarming gift. If someone you care about have a much-loved pet in their lives, it may be worth the effort and expense to have an oil painting made from a photo of that pet. Painting from a Photo Almost any pet photo is able to be translated into an oil painting. A simple snapshot may be good enough, but be sure that it is clear and does not have a lot of background distractions. Another idea would be to have a professional photo taken and use that for the oil painting portrait. Add Spice to your Gift As part of a great Christmas gift idea, an artist may be able to manipulate the background and include seasonal elements such as a tree or themed decorations or even add specialty items to the pet itself, such as a small hat. Before choosing a particular artist to render an oil painting from a photo of a pet, take a look at their portfolio of work to see what else they have done and how you feel it has turned out.A canvas oil painting is a classy way to present a timeless gift that the received will always remember. Whether it is used as a birthday gift idea or for another occasion, the effort and expense will be worth being able to give a gift that will be cherished and loved by someone you care for. It will speak volumes about not only your feelings for them, but also show that you understand their love for their pet.
Top
Q: Three Reasons to Buy Pet Portraits
A: Before cameras were invented, many people looked for some way to make recordings of how various individuals looked. No matter whether it was a dearly loved family member or a community leader, commissioning an artist to do a portrait was a fairly common event. Today, many people enjoy obtaining pet portraits that feature their favorite animals. Elegant Accent Pieces for Your Home Chance are, when you first move into a new home or apartment, you will want to see to all kinds of decorating details. This often includes hanging paintings and pictures on the walls. As may be expected, you can simply go to a local store and pick up all kinds of pictures. On the other hand, if you want something unique and personal, it may be of some value to consider pet portraits. Aside from gaining access to an authentic oil painting, it will have special value to you. No doubt, having a painting of your favorite dog hanging on your living room wall will mean much more than simply buying a generic dog painting at a local store. Create a Treasured Family Heirloom Depending on past financial wealth, you may have oil paintings, or portraits of family members from previous generations. While you may never have met these people, you may still place an enormous amount of sentimental value on the paintings. In a similar way, when you commission pet portraits, they are sure to become family heirlooms. This is important to consider if your children favor a specific pet. No doubt, as your son or daughter gets older, they will cherish having this type of memento on hand. Custom Commissioned Artwork There is no question that cameras and video recorders make it very easy to create all kinds of pictures of your pets. On the other hand, it is often very difficult to create a custom designed image with a high level of quality. For example, even if you gain access to a high quality laser printer, the image will never look quite like a real oil painting. At the same time, when you commission an artist, you will also be able to enjoy their interpretation of your pet. As a pet owner, you may do all kinds of things to show that you love and care for your pets. Aside from basic care, you may also spend a good bit of time looking for ways to record memories of your pet. This may include taking photographs and videos that feature your pets. Many pet owners are also becoming more interested in pet portraits.
Top
Q: Simple Tips to Get the Perfect Snaps For the Pet Portrait
A: There are ample of ways by which you can make your pet feel special at your home. One of them is by getting the portrait for your pet. Some tips which you must always remember before you are headed for making any pet portrait are enlisted below. 1. Patience The very first thing which we must never forget is that if you want to get the awesome snaps of your beloved pet then you must keep the patience. This is the main virtue which is required for getting a good snap and decorating the walls of your home. You must wait for the right masquerade or pose that can avail you with the best portrait. If you are looking for the finest portrait at your home then you must keep patience and wait for the best pose that can provide you with a great snap. 2. Shoot Often Getting the shots continuously can accomplish a couple of things. This will make your pet get used to the sound of camera. The second advantage of this activity is that it can allow captivating the candid shots amid the formal poses. You can get surprised at some snaps which you have captured when you were trying to get the final portrait. 3. You Must Utilize Different Angles You are well aware about the fact that eyes are most important organs which can draw the viewer at any snap. The soul and the character of your four legged friend can be more radically captivated by getting down till the level of your eye. Apart from all this, you can experiment with ample of angles to generate an outstanding portrait of your pet. You must never forget that the eyes are the main attraction in any portrait. So, you must always keep your eyes focused. This can provide you with the perfect and awe-inspiring snap for your pet portrait. If you are getting a snap in a short space then you must remember many things which are required for getting a good and eye-catching snap with your four legged friend. Getting the portraits of the pets is quite challenging and this is quite certain in the case the case of people who owe an energetic this is a tricky way to reward your pet, but believe me that this effort will not go in vain.
Top
Q: Pet Portraits Are Very Personalized and Can Be Customized
A: Pet portraits have become one of the trends to most pet lovers in order to capture their moments with their valued pets in the most special way. Although memories can be captured readily with digital photos, fine arts have been reestablished by making handmade images of beloved pets. Whether it is a cat or a dog or whatever animal species that you prefer, we always want to share experiences with them. With pet portraits, each detail of your pet is remade to life by oil and canvas. Artists have several styles in painting which you can choose from. Some may offer Warhol style which has been made popular in 1998 as recognition to Andy Warhol, others may offer painterly style through the medium of watercolor.The best thing about pet portraits is that they are very personalized and can be customized. You may request photo to paint mode where the artist would just need to copy the photo of your pet while you may also request for actual scenario painting or choose the background of the painting that you may find suitable. Oil in canvas or watercolor painting, whatever the style or the medium that you may prefer, it is then made more long-lasting with a frame customized according to your preference. You may ask the service provider to do the framing for you while some may leave the decision to you as they find it a personal preference. If they can do it for you, why take the hassle. Besides, you are ensured that they only use frames of the highest quality to fit your painting. We owe a lot of the happiness we get to our pets and it is due that we give them value by a simple means like pet portraits. A fine arts painting makes a great deal of difference when it comes to originality and capturing the spark or spirit of each moment that you cherish. Make it personal and celebrate each moment you have with your pet. Cherish each moment with pet portraits but choose the artist that could make this experience satisfying.
Top
Q: Pet Portraits From Photos - How To Take A Great Reference Photo
A: The old adage, the better the photo, the better painting certainly holds true with pet portraits. As a pet portrait artist, I am continually perusing through photos that people send to me to find the perfect pose to use for a memorable portrait. The very best view for the photo is to be eye level with the animal you wish to photograph. Try to have their nose tipped downward slightly, otherwise the camera may distort their nose and jaw making them appear larger than they really are. For smaller dogs or cats, I like to place them up on a couch or chair, so that I can be eye level with them. The furniture also makes a nice backdrop to the painting. Even larger dogs look adorable and comfy lounging on a couch, chair or bed. I sometimes use a little squeak from a dog toy to cause a dog to prick up his or her ears. This can backfire, however, if the dog wants to play and leaves his pose for a lively romp! It's not necessary to be too concerned with the background in the photo. One nice thing about paintings is that backgrounds can be easily changed. If the perfect photo has a less than perfect background, a more meaningful background can be placed into the painting. If your dog loves the beach, the mountains, backyard or wherever, this background can be painted into the portrait. One woman wanted her father's Miniature Pinscher named Lucy placed in a Texas theme. The reference photo was of Lucy on gravel pavement with picnic supplies behind her. I changed the background to a grassy area with a blanket behind her hanging in the wind that contained the Lone Star of Texas symbol on the blanket. Lucy's red scarf against her black fur added that special touch to the portrait. I remember photographing a Shih Tzu named Bailey outside on his bed which was placed low on the rock patio. I laid flat on my stomach for that photo. Bailey was experiencing the last few weeks of his life, was incontinent and couldn't be photographed inside the house or on any piece of furniture. The day was warm and sunny and Bailey looked his best in his green bed smiling a greeting among the red carnations growing in pots behind him. He had a very long and comfortable life and I'm so honored to have met him before he passed on. Fortunately, it is possible to combine photos for the animal, as well as the background. I remember a Merle Australian Shepherd named Annie. Her Mom sent several good photos to me of Annie sitting in her backyard. "The photo I love best," she told me, "is the one with her ears back. I wish her ears were more forward. Otherwise, this would have been the perfect photo." One of the photos she had sent to me were showing Annie's ears forward, so I just combined the two photos into one painting, painting Annie's ears forward from the one photo and using the body posture and expression of the other photo. Annie's Mom was delighted! Knowing she had arthritis and wouldn't be able to scramble away from me in a hurry, I slowly moved the chairs out of my way and climbed under the table! "I'll either be killed or get a great photo," I thought to myself. Not hearing any growling or other warning signal from Ginger, I lay flat on the floor in front of her. Just then Ginger's Mom called her name, Ginger looked up and "Click!" I got a truly great photo. I did thank the angels that day as I drove home with my prize photo waiting patiently in my digital camera. For the painting, I just deleted the furniture around her and added a lovely background. I painted out the gray on her muzzle and also added a young, fresher appearance to the golden tan of her face and body. Cats are extremely photogenic. They seem to be striking up a pose no matter what they do. I love window shots especially. There's just something about a cat peering out the window that makes a lovely composition for a painting. One of my favorite reference photos was of a cat named Tillie lying amid her mom's scarf. The scarf was a maroon color with an interesting pattern and looked great against Tillie's black fur. The same rule of thumb applies to cats, too, of being sure to be at eye level with them. Even cats that are sleeping make great photos. I especially remember two cats in a basket curled up together that made a lovely painting. You could hardly tell where one cat started and the other one stopped! With these tips for the best photo angles and explanations of how portraits are painted from reference photos, you're now ready to capture your pet's likeness in a way that will contribute to a lasting memorial treasure - a pet portrait either for yourself or a special gift for your friend or relative.
Top
Q: Painted Pet Portraits Good Art Investment
A: Getting a pastel artist to do your pet's portrait can be the best bet by all means. A pastel is the buttery smooth pure pigment that produces brilliant color under all lighting conditions (think about where you would hang your painting). Another aspect that you can rely on is the time schedule within which the portrait can be completed. If you need the portrait done in a given time frame pastels offer quicker "drying" time, and usually a faster delivery. But expect at least six weeks. Getting a painted pastel portrait done of our pets is a tangible way of showing our attachment and love for our dog, cat, bird, or horse. As a result, be sure that the portrait that one commissions of the artist reflects the true nature of the relationship that we share with our pets. Ask if the artist works from reference photos, look at how realistic the work is... does it look photographic? Does the artist have a history of painting animal? Can they add backgrounds, or other pets, or people into the painting? Check on-line to select a oil or pastel portrait artist. Whether it is a pastel artist to commission your pet portrait in pastel or oil painting, there are only a handful of reasonably-priced artists that can bring alive the relationship that can be enjoyed for generations. Cost is usually determined by several factors. If the portrait is to be of the pet only then the cost incurred would be lower. If the portrait includes the owner, or other pets, then the cost would be increase. Human skin and hair is a different process than painting animal fur. The size of the painting also determines the price. 11 by 14 paintings can be painted in less than time than a 24 by 36 inch painting. Finally the background... a simple out-of-focus color would involve less time than an interior, detailed background. Just be sure that the artist provides a quick thumbnail sketch to show you what their general idea might be.
Top
Q: The Best Moments to Have Pet Portraits For Your Pets
A: Of course! we will work on the paintings according to the customer's request! Some of our customers always like to put their own head picture onto the people in some famous works. Such as in the picture of Monalisa.
Top
Q: Pet Portraits - Six Tips For The Perfect Pet Portrait
A: Do you have a faithful animal companion that you'd like to commemorate with a keepsake that forever captures his distinct personality? Pet portraits can be a treasured gift for yourself or for a special animal lover in your life. 1. Find the right artist. Is there a local chamber of commerce or art organization who can provide you with a list of local artists? Check the newspaper for a local art festival to browse many artists in one setting. If you already know of an artist whose style you like, do an online search for their name to find their contact information. Whichever method works for you, make sure you find an artist who specializes in pet portraiture; an artist who paints landscapes or human portraits may not be comfortable painting animals. By the same token, make sure you find an artist who uses a technique that appeals to you - whether that's watercolor, oil, or pastels. Every artist has a different style and method of painting, so be sure you find someone whose style appeals to you, or you won't be happy with the finished product. 2. Know what you want. You found the perfect artist! However, before you contact them, you should be prepared with the details of what you want. Find the best pictures of your pet - the photos should be as large as possible, well lit, and in focus. Make a note of which one is your favorite, and decide if you want the artist to change anything about the picture. For example, if your favorite photo shows your pet relaxing on your living room floor, but you'd prefer an outdoor scene for the background, make sure this is clearly communicated. 3. Beware of digital photos. Just about everyone has a digital camera these days, and many artists will accept digital photos through email. A word of caution, though - colors can differ widely depending on the computer, monitor, software, and printer used. If you only send digital pictures, you may end up being surprised at how significant the color change is in your pet's portrait. If all you have are digital photos, you should first take the files to your local photo store to have them professionally printed to reduce the chance of any color problems. Look over the prints to be sure the coloring is accurate before sending them along to your artist. 4. Size does matter. The next thing to consider is what size painting you want. The price of the painting will vary depending on the size and difficulty of the painting, so be sure you tell the artist what size you would like a quote for, in addition to anything special you want included in the painting. If you're not sure what you can afford, ask the artist for a list of available sizes and the corresponding prices. 5. Timing is everything! Be sure you allow plenty of time for the artist to complete the portrait, affording extra time if the painting has to be shipped to you. Every artist has his or her own technique and schedule, so the time frame to complete a work of art will vary greatly. If the painting is for a special event or holiday, be sure you tell this date to the artist ahead of time. Many artists get a lot busier during the months leading up to Christmas, so you'll want to arrange for your painting as far in advance of the holidays as possible. 6. Spell out payment. Make sure you're aware of what payment methods your artist accepts. Some artists can take credit cards, whereas others are not set up for them. Many artists will require a deposit before painting, with the balance to be paid upon completion of the work. Be sure to discuss whether any portion of the deposit will be refunded in the event that you are not happy with the finished painting. Artists who work in a larger format may want you to sign an agreement that spells out the completion date and how and when the painting will be paid for.
Top
Q: Life With Pets, Pet Portraits
A: Everyone has photos of their pets after all they become part of the family to the point of taking on the role of a child. We start going on shopping sprees for "basic items" and usually get to the counter and when the total amount comes up, the blood drains from our faces and its one of those "Oops I overspent" then we tell ourselves that he or she's worth it. Unlike photos that can fade, be blurred or something else in the photo can distract the person looking at our pet, a pet portrait will be only focused on your pet. It can be so realistic that you can feel the fur and especially in portraits of cats the eyes will follow the person around the room. In the case of when the pet dies which is heartbreaking a portrait of the pet that you have just lost can be a momento of how your pet was, the strange but unique way he or she looked, the way the fur lay that strange way and would never sit the way you wanted it to. It a personal way of remembering your pet and will bring back memories and emotions and through the emotions you learn how to smile again. We all buy art of some description, it brightens up our walls, gives our homes a unique, personal individual touch that says to visitors what inspires us, what kind of person we are, our likes and dislikes. How many homes have we gone into and looked around their pictures and photos on their walls and tables. Its a conversation starting point and an insight into other peoples lives. If we have portraits our our kids and our pets that we adore are like our kids then why don't we have portrait of our pets after all they are like our kids and part of the family and at times we would get rid of our partners before we would get rid of our pet.
Top
Q: Dog Show Vendor - 12 Tips for Success From A Pet Portrait Artist
A: As a popular pet portrait artist, I've spent quite a few hours at various dog shows, Saturday Markets and other art festivals and fairs meeting the public interested in commissioning a painting. Sometimes I even get to meet and greet their fabulous pets! The 12 tips I would suggest for a successful show are the following: 1. Give yourself plenty of time to set up. Unless you're a seasoned veteran, this always takes longer than expected. Allow for unexpected traffic delays or a crowded show where you may have to wait to set up until other vendors are out of the way. 2. Purchase a canopy that will withstand the wind and rain that you may encounter if it is an outdoor show. Caravan makes a canopy that is easy to put up and has several outstanding features. Canopies are also well worth the cost for indoor shows, because the white sidewalls reflect light to the interior of your booth and help with a feeling of privacy during the show. The sidewalls are easy to put up during the evening hours when that day's show comes to an end. I also have a carpet remnant that I bring that is a lifesaver for standing on cement floors all day. It also gives my booth a homey, friendly feeling. 3. When wondering what to put in your booth, remember that you will have to fit everything into your car or van and set up/take down whatever you bring. A good idea is to set up a few days before in your den or backyard. This gives you an idea of what will work and what is just too cumbersome to bring. There have been times I've wanted to bring that special something, then thought better of it. One of my favorite things to bring is a small mirror to place beside me while I'm painting, or place near my note cards. It adds sparkle to my environment. 4. Fill your booth with lots of samples in various sizes. Be ready to answer questions as to which size is appropriate for your clients. Stock your booth with smaller items such as note cards containing your art with your information printed on the back of each card, small prints, or other inexpensive items. These are traffic stoppers. Bring gift certificates also to let people know that you are happy to provide a gift certificate to someone's friend or relative. This may seem like an obvious addition to the booth, but I've had people in surprise exclaim, "Oh, you give gift certificates, too?" Display your items in a festive manner. For your gift certificates, you may want to decorate an open box with a painting set half inside of it with a big, shiny bow. 5. Be sure to bring a sign-up sheet. Many times your business card may be lost in the shuffle, but if a prospective client has given you their contact information, it lets you know they have more than a casual interest in your work, and you can ask if it's all right if you contact them later on to follow-up if they have lost your information. One such event happened for me when I called a woman who wanted to have a portrait of her Schappendoes. She was so glad I gave her a call a month after the show as she had lost my information. A blank notepad is also a lifesaver. You may want to jot down a person's name and phone number to let them know of a breeder friend of yours at a later date, or to send a gift certificate or custom note card. 6. Invest in a great booth sign. A very large eye-catching sign is worth its weight in gold. Your sign should preferably match your business card and be one of your trademarks at a show. You may be a vendor at the same show for several years running and your sign is what will initially catch people's eye. 7. Be painting at the show. This not only gives you something to do, it is an ice-breaker, too. People are much more likely to stop and chat about your paintings if they see you at work. The shows I attend sometimes start at 7:30 a.m. and run until 5:00 or 6:00 p.m. This makes for a very long day. But if I'm working on a painting, the hours seem to fly by, and I get something done to keep up with my orders. 8. Wear some kind of a badge or sign on your person. That way whenever you leave your booth, you are a walking advertisement for your artwork. This also lets everyone know who enters your booth, that you are the artist to talk to. This may seem like a small item, but when your booth is packed with people, this can clear up any confusion. 9. Keep your spirits up during the slow times. I like to bring my own food, hot drink or whatever else will make me the most comfortable. There may be times when no one passes by the booth, and it's important to keep your spirits up. You never know when someone will pop in and say "There you are! I read about you in the newspaper vendor list and I'm so glad you're here!" 10. Get plenty of rest the night before and drink lots of water during the show. It's easy to get caught up in the excitement of visiting with so many potential clients and you may forget that you are expending an enormous amount of energy and will need to replenish yourself. 11. On the last day of the show, you will be expected to not only greet the public all day, but also to dismantle and load your booth into you vehicle, as well as drive the distance home. So be sure to take extra snacks for the last day. You may also want to bring a change of clothes if you feel you will be more comfortable taking down your booth in your work clothes. Keeping everything organized as you pack up is a time saver for setup for the next show. 12. The other vendors can be a wealth of information. Some are seasoned veterans and most are happy to share their knowledge with you as to which shows are most appropriate, where they purchased their card rack you've been admiring, and other odd tidbits that can make the experience more enjoyable for you.
Top
Q: Choose Pet Portraits Or Dog Portraits As Gifts
A: When most people think of dog portraits, what comes to mind is usually basic information that's not particularly interesting or beneficial. There's a lot more to dog portraits than just the basics. Most of this information comes straight from the dog portrait pros. Careful reading to the end virtually guarantees that you'll know what they know. Lasts a Lifetime A dog portrait is something that your friend or family member can hold onto forever. Most gifts just end up in the closet or on the yard sale table, but this is something that can be displayed and cherished forever, regardless of where he or she lives.Plus, the sad reality is that no matter how much we love our animals, they will eventually leave us. Photographs may be nice to have, but being able to display a beautiful pet portrait of their best friend truly is the best dog gift you could ever give someone. Elegant and Fun Even for people who normally are very fastidious about their home decor, you won't have to worry about giving them a gift like this. You can select different types of frames, you can actually help create a finished product that will match the elegance or the playfulness of their existing home. A Great Choice for Someone who has Everything You certainly won't find anything like this dog portrait at your local mall. This dog lover gift is going to be unique. You won't have to keep the receipt or worry that it won't fit right. Anyone who loves their pet is going to love having him or her captured in all of their most adorable moments as if they were truly works of art.This article's coverage of the information is as complete as it can be today. You should always leave open the possibility that future research could uncover new facts.
Top
Q: How to Photograph Your Pet For a Pet Portrait Painter
A: Paramount to the success of any painting is the foundation work of understanding your subject, so having good reference photos from different angles is key to achieving a great likeness of your faithful companion.If you decide to commission an artist remotely located, then you are going to need a good quality photo of your pet, as artists who work remotely don't have your pet in real life to sketch from. So in order to prepare a great shot then there a few tips you should follow, that will set you on the right path. Remember the better the photos you supply the better image the artist is going to have in their mind. Naturally any kind of special personality traits or favourite habits or tricks are also going to prove to be helpful as the painter needs as much information as you can supply to truly capture the spirit of your pet. Make sure you do not use flash photography unless your pet has dark fur. Camera flash tends to flatten details, so it is best to photograph your pet outside in natural sunlight.Also make sure your pet is close up for a few shots or head shots so that the facial detail is as clear as possible as well. Just like humans, animals have a different left side of their face when compared to the right side. Differences may be minimal, but this is the sort of important information the artist needs to be aware of, if a good likeness is to be portrayed. If its a pet portrait you are after then you could do no better than to commission world class oil painter Greg Gillespie. With over 25 years experience in the commercial and fine art worlds, the quality of your pet portrait is going to be second to none. Greg's paintings are keenly sort after and treasured in private collections around the world.
Top
Q: Benefits of Having a Pet Portrait Done
A: There are definitely many great reasons that you will find when you are looking for a great person who will definitely be able to paint an excellent pet portrait or pet portraits of your beloved dog. Most of all, your great dog has definitely been by your side through many different things, some good and some bad, but through it all your dog has been a helpful, compassionate and caring friend that truly loves you as well as respects you and values your company and friendship. It is definitely difficult to find such a loyal and excellent friend. Your dog is definitely an excellent member of your family and he or she definitely deserves to be treated that way. You will definitely purchase art or hire artists to create a painting or excellent photograph of the many other members of your family, why not get a painting made of your excellent dog as well? After all, your dog is definitely very loyal to you and you definitely value the company that having such a great dog contributes to you family environment as well as the overall environment in your excellent home. You will definitely be proud to display such an excellent painting inside your already great home environment, it would definitely be great to put this painting in a place inside your home that may people will see so that you can display your great dog as well as his or her portrait to your many friends, relatives and guests that will definitely come to visit you in your great home. Perhaps a good place to put this excellent painting would be near another painting or photograph that you have already gotten of the many members of your family. They would definitely be proud to have this painting honoring them displayed in your home and having such a great painting in your home definitely helps illustrate to all your guests, family, friends and relatives just how much you love and value your dog in your life which is definitely a great thing. Many people love their great dogs and this is definitely nothing to be embarrassed about because you will value the love and friendship of your dog for many years to come. You will definitely enjoy the many compliments that you are bound to receive when you display such a great painting in your home.
Top
Q: Learn Digital Photography - How to Take Great Pet Portraits
A: Most of us have some sort of pet and unfortunately many have short lives in comparison to humans, so we all experience the death of a beloved pet at some stage. Pets become the object of our photography and it's important to learn how to shoot them properly. 1. Shoot often Why? To familiarise your pet with the camera and the noise that it makes. We have one dog that shies away from a camera and another that gets excited and performs. The third just sits and looks without any interest. It's important for them not to be afraid or shy away so, shoot often. 2. Use the right lens Although it's great to shoot close up using a normal focal length, say 55mm, your pet might not let you that close so it wouldn't be the right lens. You'd need to use one with a longer focal length in order for you could keep your distance. You'll probably find that the more you do it the closer you will eventually be able to come. As with humans, don't get too close to the animal's face as it distorts the image. 3. Angles and viewpoints Try to experiment with different viewpoints and angles. Get down low and try to shoot at the animal's eye level for a more pleasant and sometimes dramatic view. Shoot from a high vantage point and get the pet to look up at you or get down below the pet and shoot up. Key here is to try angles that are unique resulting in pleasant images. 4. Props There are two sides to the prop issue with pets. As with humans they can help make a more interesting shot. It stimulates the animal and gets a reaction that often makes the photo. But, on the other hand toys and props can get the animal worked up and over excited. Too much stimulation makes the animal's actions fast and they get too frisky. 5. Patience As with any type of photography patience is the virtue that you need most often. Waiting for that perfect expression or look can make a stunning portrait, one that will be the memory for later years. 6. Composition When shooting pets you are often trying to get that reaction or interesting shot and composition tends to go out the window. Remember all the rules of composition such as the rule of thirds, getting in closer and excluding unnecessary clutter from the image. Don't forget that the eyes must be in perfect focus so watch where you camera focuses. It may be necessary to turn off auto-focus and go manual.
Top
Q: How to Hire a Professional to Make a Pet Portrait Painting
A: There are many different things that you definitely need to consider when you are looking to have an excellent pet portrait painting or dog paintings of your great dog created by an educated and qualified professional who you are very confident will do a great job with the task at hand as well as have a reasonable and acceptable compensation plan that you both definitely agree upon before you begin the process of creating a great photograph of your canine pal. It is definitely very important that you ask for references for the person that you plan to hire to create an excellent photograph of your great canine pal because it would definitely be very bad if you were to hire a person who was not great at his or her job and created poor quality photographs of your dog that you do not want to purchase or display in your home. It would also be very bad if the person you were to hire was definitely not a great person for the job and was very difficult or unpleasant to work with and be around. For these and many more reasons, it is definitely very important that you put a lot of consideration and effort into finding an ideal person to create a great photograph of your canine pal that you will be both happy and proud to display in your excellent home. Your effort will definitely be worth it in the end when you have a great photograph of your beloved dog to hang in your home in a very prominent location so that your many guests, relatives, friends and any other visitors you may have at your home will see it and how excellent it is. One thing that you should definitely consider when you are trying to create an excellent photograph of your canine pal is where the great inspiration for this photograph should come from. For example, you might want to pose your great dog in his or her favorite environment in your home. This is definitely different for many different canines, but for some canines, this may be at the front door or maybe in your great backyard or maybe in a favorite chair of your canine pal where he or she spends many hours of his or her time, just sleeping or watching you do many different tasks or work. Many people think that it would definitely be a great idea to pose their dog with his or her favorite toy.
Top
Q: Endow an Extraordinary Feel to Your Pet With a Pet Portrait
A: You must have planned for a portrait of your complete family unit, which includes the children, grandpa, parents, grandma and few other relatives or friends. But have you planned out for a portrait that includes the pet at your house? In the present state of affairs, a portrait for your pet is a huge catchphrase. This concept is gaining the impetus day by day. The pet lovers find nothing more interesting as compared to the handmade portrayal of these domesticated animals. For all the lovers of the pets, nothing is as attention - grabbing as compared to the portraits of these four legged friends. At the present situation you will not come across any pet enthusiast who denies to the idea of concept of these pets. The people, who are fond of the domestic animals residing at their abodes, will certainly love the concept of the portraits of these tiny and furry domesticated animals. The portraits of these domesticated animals will make your pet feel more attached to you and your family. This portrayal captures the pet in the best wished and graceful comportment. As the parents appreciate and reward their kids, when it does some good work, in the same way the lovers of these pets can show their love towards these animals and make it feel special. As a matter of a fact, these pets love you more, if you are showing them attention in these ways. You can ornament your abode by hanging a portrait of these animals at your houses. They display the unconditional love and affection which you owe to these animals that will certainly die one day. Doctor the barricades of your home by bringing these artifacts and make yourself and your pet feel special. With the advent of internet and computerization; it has become quite simple to discover an easy method of coming across a trained and professional artist that can serve your purpose. All you need to do is, just pay an hour in browsing on web and come across a painter who can understand your feelings and values them. Then prepare a portrait for your domesticated animal and make it realize that it is a member at your house.
Top
Q: Picking a Pet Portrait Artist - 7 Tips to Keep in Mind
A: When looking for an artist to render a likeness of your pet, you may want to consider the following tips: 1. Build a rapport with the artist of your choice by meeting them in person or via e-mail. Be sure they have a real love and devotion to animals, as this will come across in their artwork. 2. The artist will most likely ask for a deposit of half the cost of the painting up front, and the remainder due upon completion. Ask that a scan or photo be sent to you for approval and to make any needed changes before the painting is shipped to you, or that you're able to pick it up at the artist's home. This will assure you that the painting is to your liking before you receive it. The cost is usually based on the size of the canvas requested and the complexity. 3. There are many types of media that an artist may use, including acrylic, oils, pastel (both chalk and oil pastel), watercolor and colored pencil. Paintings done with acrylic and oil may not need framing. Artwork done in pastel, watercolor and colored pencil usually do need to be framed under glass, so be sure to consider this additional cost when commissioning a painting. Some artists recommend which frames will look best, while others leave the framing to the client. 4. A photograph will need to be provided for the artist to work from. He or she may request additional photographs to be sure to capture a likeness of your pet. If you live in the same area as the artist, they may offer to photograph the animal for you. Photos can be provided to the artist either by regular U.S. Postal service, or via e-mail. The artist can give you tips on the best way to photograph your animal for his or her painting. 5. Be sure to discuss the time frame involved for your receipt of the painting. Some artists have a backlog. If you have a deadline for your painting because of an anniversary, birthday or holiday, be sure to let the artist know. Sometimes they may be able to accommodate your deadline. Remember that they can always give you a gift certificate if the painting will need to be completed a few days after the time you would like to receive it. 6. After your painting is completed, ask if the artist also provides greeting cards of the portrait image, or other services that you may want. 7. The copyright for the finished work belongs to the artist, but you can discuss with them any special needs you may have. You may want to use the painting for your business cards or company logo.
Top
Q: Pet Portraits - Money Well Spent
A: Pets light up our lives. Imagine how dull it would be not to have your adorable cat sleeping on your bed or not to have the dog's wagging tail that tells you how much you are loved? We love our pets, we often spend money on the craziest things for them. Pet Lovers Buy for Their Pets Those of us who are pet lovers understand the money we ourselves spend on our pets. We choose to make the purchase. We have made the decision that it is worth the expense. However, we sometimes look at someone else and can't believe that people would spend that much money on something so unnecessary. My opinion is different than yours and yours is different than the next guy's. So - you may not be in agreement with me on this. These things a have seen spent on pets. I think these purchases are crazy. • Tooth cleaning and brushing- $190.00 • Repairing a hip problem $4000 • Fended in yard to keep Fido home $9000 • Having nail covers put on claws to protect floors $120 • Monthly grooming $40 each time • Cat furniture -up to $2000 for some • 6 month check up- $75.00 (do you take your self to the Dr. every 6 months for a check up?) • Raised bowls for proper eating posture- $35.00 (Dogs have been eating off the ground for 1000's of years!) • Dog treats $9.99 for a large box (People treats are $3.29 a bag- not to mention my dog eats out of the litter box) • Dog bed-$30 and up. (I took the plunge and spent $30 on one. My dog sleeps on the floor next to his bed.) • Breath mints- (Did I mention my dog snacks out of the litter box?) I could go on and on- but you get the idea. I think many people have just about everything they want in life so what do you get them when gift giving time arrives? You could select from the list above. But you never know if they already have those things...
Top
Q: Four Unique Ways for the Pet Portrait Artist to Stand Out
A: The warm feelings are flowing all around when the pet lover sees her commissioned portrait of her beloved dog or cat for the first time. Would you like the love to last even longer and reward you above the standard commission fee? If so, consider these ideas: When contracting with the pet lover for the commission, offer extras for a set additional fee. For instance: 1. Offer sale of your original sketches of their pet, or the draft that you worked from for the finished portrait. 2. If you mat the piece, offer a remarque, a bit of original work on the mat--possibly a simple line rendering of the subject in the portrait or of their pet's favorite toys or pastime. 3. Offer to take a quality photo of the piece, from which you print note cards for the pet owner. 4. If you commission pet photography, offer a matted collage or a small album of all of the proof size photographs in addition to the finished piece. Offer these options prior to creating the work, but if the buyers refuses, don't forget to offer them a second opportunity to purchase them when you finish the piece. At that time, they are often so pleased with the result that they are grateful to have the opportunity to own these sentimental additions to the finished piece. I've listed just a few ideas to get you started. Now come up with even more artistic ideas of your own!
Top
Q: Taking Pet Portraits in the Digital Age
A: We all love our pets. They add so much joy to our lives that we consider them a part of the family. So it's only natural to want to give them their due by including them in pictures in our family albums and in portraits that decorate our homes. The digital age has made it easy to bring a camera along with us. Most cell phones have a built-in camera so those special moments with our pets can be captured even when we weren't planning to take any pictures. Cameras are small enough to be thrown in a purse or glove compartment so they're handy on family outings. While those informal snapshots aren't often the best for a picture that you'll want to hang next to your family portraits, you have all you need to take a great picture of your furry friend that will do him justice. All it takes is you, your pet, a couple of hours, and your camera and you can make a great portrait. Equipment Check You don't want to miss that special moment when your pet does something cute or strikes a perfect pose. So make sure your camera is ready. It all starts with the camera, and a quick check will prevent disappointments. A quick browse through the instruction manual will refresh your camera operating skills and limit fumbling on the big day. 1. Check the batteries now. If your camera uses replaceable batteries, keep a fresh set on hand. If your camera uses rechargable batteries, make sure they're fully charged. They'll hold their charge for a long time, so you can recharge them several days before you intend to take your pictures and still be ready at a moment's notice. 2. If you have a conventional film camera, make sure you have lots of film. If you have a digital camera, make sure that there's room on the memory card to take lots of pictures. You might need to transfer some old pictures to your computer, or simply erase them from the memory card. Scheduling Set a specific time and day to take pictures of your pet. While everyone loves informal snapshots of their cat or dog, if you want to make a portrait that you can hang on your wall, you want to be prepared. You'll be cool, calm, and collected, and won't convey any anxiety to your pet. If you want to include family members in your pet's portrait, do whatever you can to make it a pleasure and not a chore. I can't think of a better way to do this than to have a picnic in the park or a backyard barbeque. That way everyone is involved in the planning and you've set the stage for fun. 1. A sunny day will insure that your pictures are bright and colorful. An overcast sky will result in dull pictures with a bluish hue. And while you could always use a flash, many pets don't like them and won't tolerate having a flash go off in their face more than a couple of times. So check your local 5 or 7 Day Forecast to give yourself the best chance of good weather. 2. Choose a location where you and your pet will be comfortable and relatively free from distractions. Your backyard is the simplest choice, of course, and often the best. But if Fido likes to chase the Frisbee, or Fluffy enjoys exploring the foliage, a local park can be a great place to take your pictures. Naturally, you want to avoid distractions when the picture taking begins, like other people's kids running and screaming, and other owners out with their pets. 3. You certainly want your pet to look their best when you want a portrait that you can hang on a wall, so a trip to the groomer is a good idea. Clean, combed, and pampered pets are happier and more comfortable, which helps insure that your pictures reflect the things you love about them. When The Day Arrives Okay, the skies are clear, and breakfast is over. It's time to Carpe' Diem and head out to take your pet's portrait. 1. Make sure your pet is well-rested. A tired pet will be less cooperative and anxious to go home to eat or sleep. So limit play time on the day you want to take your pictures, and for dogs it's a good idea to allow for some time after a morning walk. 2. Limit the number of people in the area when you begin your picture taking to avoid distractions for your pet. You don't want that great shot ruined by a "What Was That??" snap of the head. 3. Bring a toy with you so that you can put your pet in a happy, playful mood. Keeping a few treats on-hand makes good sense, too. If your pet starts to become uninterested or uncooperative, take a break and try again in 15-20 minutes. A treat will often restore a pet's disposition, especially if he's given time to fully enjoy it without interruption. Once you've taken your pictures and selected the best shots, there's more to be done. It's rare that a picture you take will be exactly right without some editing. Fortunately, you can edit your own photos in your own computer. All computers come with some basic image editing software, and many include programs that can turn your pictures into professional-looking portraits. . With your portrait properly cropped and enhanced, the next step is to make a print that you can frame and hang. Photo paper is available with either a glossy or matte finish. Glossy tends to give images a sharper appearance, and matte a slightly softer one. Printing photos tends to consume a lot of printer ink for each print, so check your ink levels before you shop for paper. To begin, open the image you want to print in your image editing program and select the "Print Preview" or "Page Setup" option. This will give you the opportunity to properly position the picture on the paper, and to select the proper orientation - Portrait or Landsape, as well as selecting the size of the image for printing. Naturally, you want the image to fill as much of the available area on the paper as possible. If you're unsure of the settings, make a test print on plain paper before committing to using a sheet of the more expensive photo paper. Handle the prints only by the edges until the ink has completely dried because they can easily smudge or smear. I suggest that you remove each print from the printer before making another one. If you're interested in creating something special, there are artists who can create portrait paintings from your pet photos. These services create hand-painted portraits using a computer, which allows them to creatively enhance the original image. They then use special printers to print the final image on canvas to give them life and texture. You end up with a portrait suitable for hanging that you'll be proud of. It doesn't need to be a formal portrait to have one of these attractive portrait paintings made. It can be your favorite pet or family photo. Because the artist's work is done digitally, it is fast and very reasonably priced. I hope you found some useful tips for taking your pet's portrait here. Most of this advice is just common sense that every pet owner knows from experience, and the technical skills required are easily learned. The point is that you have everything you need to make a great pet or family portrait that you can enjoy for many years.
Top
Q: Pet Portraits
A: Gathering dust in the closet is a shoe box of pictures. Among them are snapshots of your beloved pets. Unfortunately, the pictures of Skippy are all too far away for us to enlarge for placing on the wall, and the snapshot of our cute little kitty cat is an unrecognizable blur with eyes lit up like spotlights. Here are some tips to help you create a beautiful close up portrait of your pet. First you need a decent backg5round. Procure a panel of thin plywood sized about three by five feet. Mix the following colors using tubes of color with flat ceiling paint: one cup of alarizon crimson, one cup of beige, one cup of gray-brown, and one cup of apple green. Paint the whole panel with the gray /brown, then blend in the other colors with a large brush, stroking in a diagonal direction. Keep the center portion light. Blend the paint while still wet, but don't blend too much or you will hide the different colors. Take a few full length shots and then crop just below the neck for a good close up image. Keep your pet's eyes slightly to the left or right and a little above the camera lens. On long nosed dogs, make sure you can see both eyes. Make a variety of little noises to keep the ears forward. It is a good idea to have ready several squeaky toys because your dog or cat will only perk up their ears once for each different noise. For small dogs or cats, have a wicker basket ready for them to peek out of. Feel free to make a dozen exposures in order to insure capturing a prize winning expression. Save your background for the next time your pet is photographed. Your final pet masterpiece will be treasured just as your pet is a treasured part of your family.
Top
Q: How About Getting a Portrait of Your Pet?
A: Isn't amazing to get your dog painted? It would indeed be wonderful to then gift it to your loved one who is especially fond of pets. Art work of dogs, cats and other pets makes for a unique gift for your dear ones. How about getting these portraits custom made? Well, with the internet being around you can easily look for portrait artists online. You have the option of either working in person with the artist or an artist may work remotely for you using pictures. Finding an artist working remotely can help you cut down your expenses and also you have the liberty to choose among the most talented artists worldwide. Though working with a remote artist offers you several advantages, working in person can indeed be very special. Avoid using flash as pets are usually scared of electronic flash. Natural light works really well, preferably early in the morning or late afternoon to avoid the harsh midday sun. Focus on the eyes, as they are the focal point of the picture. If the eyes are not in sharp focus, the picture will be ruined. Choose your background carefully which complements your pet. Dark backgrounds work best for light colored animals. Lighter background colors work best for dark colored animals.Once your photograph is done, you can send it to the artist in the remote location for the portrait. This provides you with an option of working with artists in lower wage countries. Always ask the artist to send you the pencil drawing and the first draft of the painting before going ahead with the final version. Once you are satisfied with their art work they can ship the painting directly to your home. A portrait allows you to capture the unique personality and exact likeness of your pet. If the chosen artist is skilled and talented enough than he can add a lot of liveliness to the painting. These true to life paintings create a lasting memory of your dog, cat, rabbit or any other pet. The best pet portrait not only depicts the physical appearance of the pet but also, its essence and spirit.The portrait painting indeed forms a good memory of your pet. Lifelike nature of portrait paintings helps you keep their beautiful memories alive in your hearts. So, why not go ahead and get a portrait of your pet? Isn't your pet worth remembering?
Top
Q: 3 Steps To Easy Profits From Pet Portraits
A: Selling pet portraits is a creative and easy way to make extra money and most of the work can be done right from the comfort of your own home. To many people, their pet is an important and beloved member of the family and, while beautiful portraits of other family members adorn the walls, most people rarely have a portrait of their pet. Pet portraits are typically painted by hand to create a cherished piece of art that looks beautiful in any room. Even if you don't know how to paint, you can make a nice profit selling these desirable pieces and it takes very little effort to do it. The first step in starting your own pet portrait service is finding a good artist. Check local art organizations and schools for quality artists who may be interested in painting pets and arrange meetings with a few. Discuss how much the artists would charge per picture and examine some of the artist's work. If you can agree on a reasonable payment arrangement, both you and the artist can make a fair income from the venture. There are several ways the portraits can be completed, so you and the artist must decide on a plan that will work best for both of you to maximize profits. You may want to arrange a meeting between the artist and the pet owner or, to expand your customer base, you could have customers submit a photograph of their pet for the artist to work from. Once you have decided on a price that includes the cost of materials as well as sufficient income for both you and the artist, you can determine the location of your business and the areas you plan to serve. If your artist prefers to meet with the clients and paint the pet in a local studio, most of your customers will live in the surrounding area. If you plan to accept photographs and never meet with the pet in person, you can serve clients anywhere you wish. The only other thing you need to do to start earning an income selling pet portraits is a little simple advertising. Depending on the market you have decided to serve, there are a variety of different advertising methods that are simple to use as well as affordable. Local newspapers and area specialty magazines are a great way to promote a studio based business, while the internet opens all sorts of opportunity for a portrait business using photographs.
Top
Q: Inspirational Pet Stories of Love, Hope and Healing
A: If you belong to that special group of people who adore your pets, relax, you're in good company! Clients who I've met through my profession as a pet portrait artist have become like my extended family. I remember one man who called for a portrait of his cat named Allyn who had just made her transition. He was totally bereft and felt that a painting of her likeness might help him to heal. In going over his photos, he told me of the one he had picked out, but when he got to the photo of Allyn as a kitten, I immediately felt that this was the photo Allyn had chosen for him. "She wants to be remembered healthy and strong, like she is in this photo," I told him gently. He thought a moment, and then agreed. I felt her presence very strongly as I was painting. It was almost as if she was keeping me company in my studio. Sometimes the love we feel for our animals is returned ten fold. A policeman on a local police force called to have a portrait painted of his wife's German shepherd. She was a policewoman and the shepherd named Duke had been her constant companion and fellow officer on the K9 force. "She loved that dog more than anything," he told me. "Can you put some blue and red somewhere in the painting to commemorate his many years in the service?" He was such a handsome dog. I didn't want to put my brushes away. As he "came to life" once again on the canvas, I could feel his loyalty, devotion and love. One portrait comes to mind that shows us just how important pets can be when it comes to creating an atmosphere of healing. This painting was a gift from one friend to another of a frail Australian shepherd mix named Bogey. Bogey's Mom had found him running free on a nearby golf course, sick and emaciated. She took him home where he joined her other two rescues, a West Highland Terrier and Rhodesian ridgeback. With loving care and rehabilitation, these three dogs now assist her in her profession as a psychologist and counselor. Once abandoned and abused, Bogey and the other dogs now provide a peaceful calm to help her clients relax and trust once more. I like to think there is a thread of loving energy that connects us all. Sometimes dogs are nervous about having a stranger come to the house. I decided to meditate the day before I was to see a white toy poodle named Sammy and try connecting with him before I arrived the next day. I distinctly heard a voice in my mind say, "I have a favorite pillow." I dismissed the thought, not knowing if it was only my imagination. When I arrived the next day to take Sammy's photo, his Mom said, "Oh, Sammy has a favorite cushion," as he jumped up onto the top of the burgundy colored couch and settled in. I heard myself say "I know, he told me." She looked startled, and I felt my cheeks turn beet red! I wondered why I had blurted out such a thing, but unmistakably, there was Sammy, content on his favorite pillow waiting for his photo.
Top
Q: Portraits from Photographs, the Perfect Gift this Christmas!
A: With Christmas just around the corner many people will be starting the difficult task of finding those thoughtful and personal gifts for their loved ones. Even with time on your side finding that perfect gift can become rather stressful and most people really want to find a gift the recipient will love, not just another mediocre present that gets forgotten about. Pencil portraits from photographs are a very popular choice for Christmas presents and this year they seem in more of a demand than ever, below are some of the main reasons why pencil portraits are so popular at Christmas. Pencil portraits from photographs are truly personal gifts and offer you the chance to enjoy your favourite photographs in a new way. Each pencil portrait is hand drawn by a professional portrait artist from the photo of your choice. The portrait can be a pet portrait, child portrait or a group portrait depending on the personality of the recipient. For a spouse you may find that a portrait of you both will provide you with a stunning artwork, if they have a much loved pet they'll be sure to love a striking pencil portrait of the animal to enjoy every day. Portraits from photos are a wonderful way of remembering those special times in a person's life and look wonderful mounted, framed and placed on the wall to be admired and treasured each and every day. The pencil portraits are drawn with huge amounts of detail that give a lifelike look to the artwork, not simply a sketch.You can be sure that a pencil portrait is not received and then forgotten about like so many gifts are after Christmas. On many occasions I've been aware that a present I've given to a loved one has been placed to the side and barely used since. It is great to know that with a portrait this will not be the case. Many people buy family portraits as an investment, an item to pass down to the children and their children in turn, a lovely idea and an insight into the lasting pleasure a portrait can provide. Portraits are also a great idea as a surprise present, as the portraits from photographs are drawn from your photograph and can be send electronically to the portrait artist you won't need to worry about sitting still for hours and worry you won't like the result.
Top
Q: Photographing Pets
A: Lighting Correctly lighting an animal requires a slightly different approach to lighting a human subject; fur does not reflect light in the same way as skin. The exact position of the main light source and level of modelling is subordinate to the need to capture texture (e.g. their noses do not cast shadows on their faces). The main light source still needs to fall from above and to one side, but the exact angle of the light is less critical, and stronger and more direct illumination can and should be used. Red-eye is caused by the reflection of light from the retina of the eye. This can be minimised by using an off-camera flash (if you have one), positioned slightly above, below, and/or to one side of the axis of the camera. Most modern cameras with built-in flash units have a red-eye reduction mode. This uses a series of pre-exposure flashes to close the subject's iris. The use of flash as a fill-in with bright daylight also minimises red-eye. Black-halo is the hard shadow cast by the use of flash in low light conditions. The way to avoid this is to ensure that the flash isn't the main (brightest) light source. Exposure and focus (dark subjects) Modern cameras are fully automatic in this respect, but most do not perform well when the subject is something like a black dog. I use an expensive Leica, but it still underexposes, and hunts for a focus lock when photographing my (black) dogs. Underexposure can be corrected using Photoshop (etc), provided that the lighting was more or less right (i.e. under exposure due to backlighting cannot be corrected). Poor focus cannot be corrected retrospectively. Correct angle of view The height from which the photograph is shot is very important. Too often I see aerial shots of small dogs and cats photographed by their towering 6-foot owner. The simple rule is - try to get the camera on the same level as the subject. With cats and smaller dogs, it can be easier to place them on a table or any other suitable item of furniture or support. Sometimes you have to get down on the floor, but many animals will think you are playing a game. Encouraging co-operation The hardest part of pet portrait photography is getting the subject's co-operation. The pet owner should know the best way to accomplish this; the place in which their pet is most likely to feel comfortable, whether they are more amenable before or after feeding/exercise, what commands or noises they will respond to. My personal tips are:- 1. If possible, work in the place and at a time that best suits the pet. 2. Leave the commands/noises to one person, preferably the photographer. There is nothing worse than instructions coming from all around the animal. 3. Don't dangle food/toys in front of the subject - they will inevitably move to get them. 4. One way of getting pets to stay still for a few seconds is to rub something tasty on their jaws. They will almost certainly stop to lick their lips. 5. Avoid placing the animal on grass, which will cover and hide their paws. Posing the subject If your dog has been trained to sit or stand, that can be very helpful, but mostly, you will need to be very patient and wait for the required pose to happen. With male dogs, watch-out for "things popping out", and reposition if it does. Don't photograph cats lying down. They often tuck their legs under their bodies, which results in the overall body shape becoming little more than a fury blob.Be objective; it's too easy to see nothing more than the pet you love, and overlook the fact that the shot you are about to take is dull.
Top
Q: Picture Perfect Portraits Of Your Pet
A: The pet industry is growing fast. More than ever before, people are treating their pets like members of their families. We now have many more pet shops, groomers, and veterinarians. Traveling with pets is becoming more common than ever before and the hospitality industry knows it. Breeders, kennels and good obedience trainers are becoming easier to find. Finding the right pet is rewarding and comforting for many. As we live longer and some of us become empty nesters, our desire to have animals in our homes allows us to continue to love and nurture an animal as much as if it were a child of our own. I have many reasons for wanting to work with animals and photograph them. One big reason is that people want to be recognized and to show others the comfort they enjoy with their pet. Some want to share the joy of having a new puppy. Some want to have memorable images of their older pet who might not be with them in a few months. There are many reasons why people want pet photos. The behavior I want from the dog is best when it is not forced but given willingly by the dog. That's the only way you can get the dog to "smile". Before my photo session begins, I talk to the dog, play with him, and give him a chance to do what dogs do. He is a dog, not a furry object. He has his own unique personality, sometimes shy, sometimes outgoing. For me it's not about the breed, but more about the personality. Since I only have a short amount of time to get results, I think it is important that the dog be made to feel important and to understand that this get-together is all about him. He must see that he is the focus of the attention and he is very important to us. My success comes with this kind of cooperation, not control. You can control a dog for a few moments, but he might want to cooperate for a longer amount of time if you guide him towards the right attitude and behavior. Before I begin photography, we might romp around for a short while before getting in front of the camera. I might ask the dog to sit or be obedient and then praise the dog with food treats. By using treats and rewards, I can get the dog's attention. By gaining his trust, I try to become the pack leader for the session time. By showing them how persistent I can be, and how much I really want a certain pose, they understand that this get-together must be important. It's not magic that I use, it is my respect for the animal's individuality that gets me some very fine pet portraits. Add the pet's human to the mixture, and we now have a captured moment that often shows the comfort shared between the owner and his or her pet! How wonderful it is for me when I deliver the images or album and hear how the owner can't wait to show it around! That is my reward, my praise, my motivation!!!
Top
Q: Unique Gifts For Your Pet
A: Did you know that you could find unique gifts for your pets and for a pet lover? I have found some of the most unique gifts you can give the pet or pet lover in your life. Pets are very special to us. They fulfill a need in our life by returning love to us in a form that is non-conditional. More astonishing still, is that the love that animals and owners feel for each other lasts a lifetime. This is the love humans strive for, but often fail at. Here are a few samplings of unique gifts and ideas you can give your pet or your pet lover! 1. It has been known for some time that crystals have energizing, soothing and healing properties for humans, and stones and crystals can be used for the positive impact they can bring to out pets' lives. Why not get your pet a customized lightweight healing charm to hang from their collar? Several different types of stones have different types of healing properties. You can purchase many different types that have different types of stones. 2. Delicious snacks and cookies make great gifts for pet-loving friends and for your favorite canine and feline friends. I have seen brownie-mix for dogs, ice cream treats for both cats and dogs, specially flavored cookies. In addition, some recipes out there will help you create a homemade treat! You will keep your animal on your heels begging on your heels, and they will be most happy with you. 3. Another unique gift for any pet owner and pets would be grooming supplies or a first aid kit. You can purchase dog specific or cat specific supplies like soaps, mitts or brushes to groom the fur or spray scents to make them smell good. I have even seen specialized ready-made first aid kits that you can purchase for a pet owner! 4. One of the cutest gifts you can give your pet is apparel. You can give them a cute outfit to keep them warm, a fashion tag or nametag to spice up their collar, or some cute cows for your female pet with hair. For the pet lover, you can purchase a breed specific t-shirt, tote bag, jewelry, watches, stationary and notepads. .
Top
Q: Dog Portraits and Animal Paintings
A: Whether you choose to paint pet dog portraits or furry cat paintings or maybe even put other wild animals onto canvas, Artists are as distinct and mixed as these people come, possibly not only in expertise (or lack thereof), nevertheless design and mind-set, yet several things are shared, through positioning our creativeness plus goals on to a piece of paper or canvas. The particular elegance of artwork is it can be acquired at ages young and old. If art looks wonderful to somewhat of a beginner then that is probably since they never put in any real time portrait or simply sketching since coming out of schooling. Irrespective of whether you desire to paint a new wildlife picture or represent a scene filled with rare birds within a canvas, art deer could very well be at the same time enjoyable in addition to restful. You may not have to be considered a high quality painter to paint wildfowl. On the other hand, you can easily practice it as being a enjoyable craft. 1. Commence with a diagram of the animals you want to paint. This is used in the form of personal reference and that means you will keep the characteristics reduced. When you're piece of art a location, sketch in the landscaping as well. You would possibly discover it beneficial to make use of a photography to be a research thing or simply to provide a projection to assist with ratios. 2. Paint the field first of all. Through acrylic paints, you'll be able to incorporate normal water to weaken the coloring and mix colorations. Additionally if you ever desire a sturdy background, an individual need to use a mix of of two paints similar in colour. This is what offers your piece of art a further specialist visual appeal as well as includes mood to the idea. Certain views need one to block out the backdrop depending on your own design. 3. Create coatings when a person shade hair. You create fur that looks full and soft by blending the colors of the fur and providing ones color to dry out fully. Shade further coatings running the fields of lighter as well as deeper dog's fur on each one layer. Employ your brush to establish strokes in the path of the dog's fur. 4. Concentrate on the wildlife inside of the front of your art work.creatures in your the background really should contain less details and will want to just indicate the occurrence of alternative creatures. It is easy to utilise a wash developed by including a great deal more waters to ones paint to cover over significantly less necessary wild animals as an easy way to combine these in to your backdrop. 5. Provide yourself time so that you can try things out. Certainly, there are hardly any artists people who design a wonderful creature portrait the first occasion these people try. Show patience and attempt many ways in order to determine what design performs the best in your case. You are able to as well come up with abstract wildlife and indulge in the process of piece of art animals from your own private exclusive portrayal.
Top
Q: How To Take Great Pet Photos
A: Whether its a dog photo, cat or horse photo, here are some handy photography tips you can use to make sure you get great pet pictures. The first thing to consider is LIGHTING... If you can't get your pet outside, try and take your photo next to a large window where you have plenty of light coming in. Try to have the light at your back or side as you face your pet. Most cameras today have automatic functions and I highly recommend them. Unless you're a seasoned photographer, there's just too much messing around using the manual camera settings. And the fact is, you can get pretty good shots on auto! Certainly good enough if you're planning to turn your photos into a stunning portrait. If possible, avoid using a flash. It can cause red-eye and alter the natural coloring of your pet. However, if your pet's coat is black, a flash or bright sunlight will actually bring out the shading and textures which could be lost on an overcast day. If you must use a flash, don't be too worried about red-eye since most digital photo labs can remove that! Most pets, especially those that are well trained, can pose and give you a great photo. Most pets, however, can make it difficult to get that elusive shot. I suggest having several things handy to help you out. 1. Treats 2. Toys 3. Helping Hands 4. Patience A pet always listens better with food around. Hold your treat up next to the camera and just move it leading your pet's eyes so you get the facial angle you're looking for. Shoot three-quarter views as well as full facials when possible. You'll have more variety to choose from. No treats handy? Try using a toy to guide your pet's gaze. SOUND. Pets always have quizzical looks whenever they hear unusual sounds. Tell your pet dog the word "walk" or "outside" and the ears prop up... Give an uncharacteristic human growl or chirp and the head cocks to the side or the eyes brighten. Don't be shy to get silly with your pet. It can really bring out their personality!Is your pet stubborn? Consider getting some helping hands to hold your pet while you take your photo. Don't worry, the background can always be removed afterwards.Don't plan to shoot photos of your pet unless you are in a mood to be patient. You'll want to be relaxed and not give your pet any signals that would stress or make them anxious.
Top