The Portrait Painting Process
This page will give you a good look at my portrait
painting process so you'll know exactly what to
expect from the moment you place your
order, to the time you receive your
finished portrait.

You'll also see how the ability to
view your portrait's progress on-line
and make desired changes prior to each
new phase of the painting, virtually guarantees
that you will be 100% satisfied with your portrait.

The Portrait Painting Process Horizontal Rule

The following is a rough illustration of the portrait painting process.

The Portrait Painting Process Horizontal Rule

Note: The time frames represented in the graphic and in the paragraphs that follow are merely estimates. Your actual time frame may vary depending on the portrait and other factors.

The Portrait Painting Process Horizontal Rule

Getting Started

Getting started with your pet portrait couldn't be easier. All you need is a photo of the pet(s) to be painted and a deposit of 1/3 of the portrait price. (You can send me your photos by mail or email after you've placed your order)

Week #1-2 - The Portrait Design Phase

I can customize your portrait any way you'd like. If you have a specific design or background in mind, that's great. If you don't, that's alright too. Once you've placed your order, I'll contact you personally so you can tell me a little about your pet(s) and give me an idea of what you have in mind for your portrait.

Then, based on our conversation, I'll create 2 or 3 sample designs and post them to "Your Personal Portrait Page" where you can monitor your portraits progress from start to finish. You'll be able to view the sample designs, let me know if I'm headed in the right direction and make any changes you'd like until we find the perfect design for your portrait.

Week #3 - The Rough Rendering Phase

After you've approved the basic design for your portrait I'll begin transferring the design to the canvas. This part of the process is pretty exciting because it goes fairly quickly. You'll be able to watch your painting transformed from a blank canvas to rough portrait in a matter of days.

At this point I'll just be trying to get the overall look and feel of the painting right. The shapes, colors, light's and dark's. It won't have a lot of detail, but you will get a pretty good idea of how the painting is going to look when its finished.

Week #4-7 - The Final Rendering Phase

Once we're both happy with the look and feel of the painting I can start going back over the painting, fine tuning the facial features, adding the details, highlights etc.

Unlike the "Rough Rendering Phase" however, the "Final Rendering Phase" is very detailed and time consuming work. Its not unusual for me to spend 2 weeks trying to get the eyes and facial features of a single subject just right. So even though I post updates for you to view, you probably won't see any drastic changes like you did during the rough rendering phase, just small improvements day by day until the painting is finished.

Week #8 - Drying Time & Shipping

The final obsticle that stands between you and your portrait is "Drying Time". Oil Paint dries very slowly, and the time period will vary depending on the colors used and the thickness of the paint, but most of my paintings are dry enough to ship 5-7 days after completion.

Then, roughly 8 weeks from the day you place your order, your "one of a kind" Custom Pet Portrait will be arriving at your doorstep. And even though you've watched online as your favorite pets photo was transformed to a work of art, the first time you see that full sized, full color oil portrait of your special family member, you'll be overcome with joy. I guarantee it!

 
You should have a pretty good idea how the Portrait Painting Process works now, and hopefully your ready to order your portrait. But if your serious about commissioning a pet portrait, there's a few Things You Should Consider first, to help insure that you'll be getting the best pet portrait possible.
 
Things To Consider Before Ordering        Richard Wilson,
Pet Portrait Artist