Custom portraits are available in three traditional media.

• Pen and ink

• Watercolor

• Oil on canvas

How large are the portraits? What sizes are available?

Subject matter and budget determine the size of each custom portrait. The most popular size is 9 x 12″ for a single head. Groupings of multiple animals and full body portraits tend to be larger.

What do custom portraits cost?

Portraits start at $600 for an 9 x 12″ matted pen and ink drawing.

A matted 9 x 12″ pen and ink tinted with watercolor is $800.

A traditional  12 x 16″ watercolor on 300 lb. Arches archival watercolor paper is $1500.

These prices provide a ballpark for your special project. If you have something particular in mind, please contact me and share your ideas.

Is framing available?

For a nominal additional charge, framing is available in a simple, flat profile wooden museum frame in your choice of black or blonde wood. Prices depend on the dimensions of the art.

Do you do portraits of cats, birds, horses or other kinds of pets?

Yes! Though the majority of my clients are dog owners, I have done a number of cats, birds and other creatures. Take a look at my poster “All Creatures Great and Small” for a composite of pets, farm animals and wildlife.

How does the process work?

If you live in the Portland metro area, I will meet you and your dog and take dozens of digital snapshots to use in the studio as reference material for an initial pencil sketch.

Most of my customers live far away and provide photographs of their pets. I have a handy step-by-step guide to help pet owners take good snapshots that provide enough detail to be useful reference material. The pet owner either emails jpgs or sends a CD of images. Occasionally, I do memorial portraits of deceased pets using whatever reference photos the owner has available.

I begin with a detailed pencil sketch for the pet owner to critique. No one knows their pet better. If the nose is slightly too wide or the fur too fluffy, this is the time when I take directions to make adjustments and corrections. Once the drawing meets your satisfaction, I begin the painting.

How long does it take to complete a custom portrait?

Portraits generally take three weeks to complete.

Are gift certificates available?

Portraits are very personal gifts. If the portrait is a gift, but you are not completely certain about the tastes of the recipient, consider a gift certificate.

To make the presentation special, gift certificates arrive in attractive chocolate brown gift box tied with a matching satin bow.