CUSTOM PET PORTRAIT GUIDE AND FAQS
I paint your pet’s portrait from photo references and some brief information you send me from via the Order a Pet Portrait page on this site. I can paint any pet, dogs, cats, hamsters, birds, fish, horses etc etc. The most important aspect of ordering your custom Pet Portrait is the lead time, which is four weeks excluding shipping. If you need to order a portrait as a gift, please order your portrait five weeks before the date you need to gift it by, to be sure you will have it in time. Here are some FAQS and more information about how the custom Pet Portrait service works, what you will receive and a photo guide for sending references of your pet to paint from.
What size is the portrait, and what materials do you use?
Currently I am only taking orders for A4 (21x29.7cm) portraits. I paint on 3mm gesso primed board (MDF) making each painting 21x29.7x3mm in total. I paint with acrylic paint, indian ink, and a gloss varnish to finish.
How long does each portrait take to make and arrive?
Currently there is a 4 week lead time, so therefore the portrait will take 4 weeks to make and be packed excluding the shipping time. The shipping and delivery will be weeks 4 - 5 after your order. Please do not place an order if you need a portrait done within days, a week or two weeks. I am currently only taking a small quantity of portrait orders per month. If the current order window is sold out, please subscribe here to receive a notification as to when the new order window will be open or contact me via the contact page (before creating an order) if you need an urgent gift.
Does the portrait come gift wrapped?
The custom packaging has been designed so it can be presented as a gift once you receive it. Each portrait is fully packaged in a custom box with branded paper insert, a certificate of authenticity, brand thank you notelet and custom label for a hand written gift that you can add in on the order page if required. HRV Art Pet Portraits have no plastic packaging elements and are fully recyclable.
WHAT ARE THE DELIVERY OPTIONS WITHIN THE UK, AND DO YOU SHIP INTERNATIONALLY?
Currently I am only shipping within the UK. After the 4 week lead time of creating your painting there are two delivery options of shipping.
Royal Mail Special Delivery Guaranteed by 1pm
This is a next day guaranteed delivery service, and fully insured. The next day arrival time will depend on the time I deliver the artwork to the delivery service - so it could be earlier or later than the 1pm stated. You will receive a tracking number and update via email once your order has been shipped. All portraits are packed with the utmost care so that your artwork will arrive in perfect condition. If any damage to the artwork has occurred during transportation, please contact me on the contact page and I will respond as soon as possible.
Free Local Delivery
I offer a free local delivery service for the following postcodes on the Wirral. You will see this option available if the post code you enter is one of the following:
CH41, CH42, CH43, CH44, CH45, CH46, CH47, CH48, CH49, CH60, CH61,
Once your artwork is completed I will contact you via email to coordinate your delivery time.
International Shipping
I am only shipping within the UK currently. However if you would really love a portrait to be shipped to you living elsewhere in the world, please sign up here to keep updated as to when I am opening up an international shipping service or contact me on the contact page.
Does the portrait come framed?
The portraits do not come framed. As the paintings are produced on 3mm MDF board you can hang them/prop them without framing, by very easily attaching a hook to the back of the board. Any framed portraits you may see in HRV Art social media, have been added by the customer after receiving the portrait.
WILL I RECEIVE ANY UPDATE IMAGES OR OTHER COMMUNICATION BEFORE THE PORTRAIT IS SHIPPED?
I do not send any photos or updates during the painting process. If I need any further information or photos to support my vision, I will contact you.
I will contact you with updates as to when your painting is finished, and with shipping times and tracking information.
Can you paint more than one pet in the picture?
I am currently only painting one pet per portrait. Please sign up here to receive updates on this, as this could change in the near future.
Pet portraits photo guide for references to send
Good Photo Reference Guide:
- Well lit, in focus with clearly lit facial features
- All of the head outline must be visible with the face towards the camera
- Preferably mouth closed and no tongue out
- No toys in mouth
- Preferable to have photos that are taken from around eye level of pet, or slightly above or below - not too drastic angles or side profiles
Please try not to submit:
- Out of focus, low resolution, badly lit photo references
- Photos that have the head/face cropped into
- Photos with your pet lying down, sleeping or leaning on something
- Photos of the pet with their mouth drastically open or a lot of tongue out
- No toys in mouth
Returns/Refunds
The portraits are made to order and therefore non returnable/refundable.
Each portrait I create is a stylised image of your pet and therefore at times, colours, proportions, pet features may be exaggerated and enhanced. My style is not exact-copy portraiture.
Utmost care is taken with packaging to ensure your art arrives in perfect condition. If any damage has occurred during the shipment, please contact me via the contact page.