WHY SHOULD I COMMISSION YOU INSTEAD OF ANOTHER PET PORTRAIT ARTIST?
There are many artists offering pet portraits online. Typically, you send them a very high quality photo you like of your pet and they do an exact copy of that photo. Some of them are very good and can create really good copies in oil, acrylic, watercolours or pencil. Most of them require a deposit or payment in advance. Once the work is completed, it is sent to you and that is that - there is no flexibility in the process.
There is nothing wrong with this.
However, I believe that I can offer something different and much more rewarding. I use a unique style of free-flowing mark making that up close appears little more than scribbles but taking a step back reveals an animal – your pet, with all of his or her physical characteristics and personality traits on display. I feel that this offers a much more rewarding, nuanced viewing experience and you end up with a much more interesting artwork that will reveal more with repeated viewing. I also communicate with you as much or as little as you want throughout the process and offer huge flexibility to make adjustments as we go. You want it bigger? A different colour? Different composition? No problem – we can get exactly what you want.
DO YOU ASK FOR A DEPOSIT?
No. If you don’t like the work, you don’t pay for it. I don’t ask for any money until you have seen a copy of the final work (emailed) and decided that you want it. If you aren’t happy I will make changes. If you still aren’t happy, you simply walk away at no cost to yourself.
HAS A CLIENT EVER WALKED AWAY UNHAPPY?
No. I have never had an unhappy client. Ever.
HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE?
This depends on a number of factors but typically two to three weeks. Quicker is possible if you want something for a specific date. When you first contact me I can give you good idea of the timeline.
WHAT PAPER DO YOU USE?
I use 308gsm Hahnemühle Cotton Rag paper which has a beautiful chalky smooth cotton feel and delicate texture. If you prefer, I can use canvas or the work can even be printed onto aluminium or board – I can advise and arrange this.
DO YOU OFFER FRAMING?
I do offer framing but depending upon where you are it is much more cost effective for you to arrange this yourself as shipping framed artworks is very expensive. Furthermore, framing is often a personal decision to fit your home or office. I can offer advice and for many clients I will have the unframed work delivered directly to a framer local to them. I can even instruct the framer on how to frame the work. I will also size the artwork to fit standard, off-the-shelf frame sizes, which is both convenient and cheap.
WHAT ABOUT DELIVERY?
I offer free delivery worldwide for unframed artwork. Each artwork will be rolled carefully and securely packaged and posted to you free of charge.
HOW MUCH DO YOU CHARGE?
This is dependent upon size but as a guide 30cm x 40cm would cost £350.
Almost any size is possible.
DO YOU REALLY GIVE 10% OF PROFITS TO ALL CHARITIES?
Yes. This is a new commitment to give 10% of all profits to charity, always. We are currently deciding which charity or charities to support and will update as soon as the decision is made. It would be easy to simply choose an animal charity but some research would suggest that this might not be the most effective way of giving. A survey carried out by the Financial Times in 2019 asked Britain’s over the age of 50 which charities they had written into their will or would consider putting in it. The top four charities all served animals. They were, in order, Cats Protection, Battersea Dogs and Cats Home, the Dogs Trust and the RSPCA. In England and Wales there are 172 charities related to dogs. By comparison there are 101 charities registered as supporting dementia. The Dogs Trust has effective revenues equating to £11.51 for every dog in the country. Dementia UK receives £8.57 for every person with dementia in the country. So, deciding on where to give is complex, warrants careful thought and is something we take seriously.
WHAT IF I HAVE OTHER QUESTIONS?
Please don't hesitate to get in touch either here or stuart@stuartatwell.com and I will get back to you promptly.