What to Consider When Hiring a Pet Portrait Artist
Using my tips for capturing the perfect pet picture, you should be able to secure a great shot for your pet portrait. Once you have the shot you like, you can start researching artists. There are many of us out there, which is the reason why I’m writing this article. Questions you want to answer while researching a portrait artist are: Where is the artist located; Is the artist able to create a portrait in the style you like; How long will it take to complete; and of course How much is this going to cost?
Where is the artist located?
The great thing about the internet is its ability to put you into contact with people throughout the world. The downside to this could be that the artist you hire is on the other side of the world. Shipping internationally is typically more expensive and many artists may not offer this option. So, before you fall in love with one particular artist’s work, make sure that he or she is willing to ship to where you are. The way you can ensure getting someone from your area is to include your location in your web searches. You can also go to your local Craig’s list (and feel free to look around both in your state and in neighboring states as well) and peruse the artists there. Each artist has their own particular style and strong points, so it’s best to keep your searches moderately open in order to net the artist that best fits your needs.
Is the artist able to create a portrait in the style you like?
Once you’ve found an artist in or around your location, you’re definitely going to want to see his or her work, and possibly read referrals of previous customers. By doing this, you’re making sure to select someone who not only can get the job done, but also get it done without any problems. When viewing potential artist’s work, keep in mind the type of art work you’d like. Art basically comes in two forms: realistic and abstract. Realistic is exactly what it says, and abstract takes certain liberties. So, do you want a portrait to look exactly like your pet, or would you be happy with an artist creating his or her own rendition of your pet? If you want the former, make sure that the artists you look at specialize in this type of work; hiring an artist that doesn’t specialize in the style you’re looking for could end with you being unhappy with the end result. Make sure that you also ask your artist what media (paint, pencil, charcoal, etc.) he or she is comfortable with as well. If your artist showcases mostly pencil art work and you’re shopping for a painting, you might want to reconsider hiring him or her. A good artist will admit weaknesses and turn down a job if not fully qualified for it.
How long is this going to take?
Time is a crucial factor for many people and depending on the month you start shopping for a portrait, time can change drastically. I’ve seen many websites out there with 1-2 year waiting lists for Christmas portraits. If you’re willing to wait that long, then feel free to commission it, otherwise why not give another artist a shot? The same warning goes for someone who boasts the ability to complete a piece in an extremely short period of time (say, under a day).
My general rule of thumb when giving time quotes to potential customers is that the completion of the project all depends on the medium used and size of the portrait. I work quickly, but even my smaller works take at least 2-3 days to complete. Don’t worry if your artist can’t give you a definite date of completion though. For many of us, there are other demands on our lives such as jobs, families, as well as expected and unexpected events that also demand our time and concentration. Whatever the time frame, most artists will keep you updated with the progress of the work by sending emails containing photographs of the work. This however, is certainly up to the discretion of the artist and may not be an option.
How much is this going to cost?
In these trying times, this might be your first concern. Prices range from artist to artist based on a variety of different factors, some of which being price of material, shipping costs, and of course the artist’s personal fee. Many artists will require a non-refundable deposit which is also set based on the artist’s whim. The reason why we as artists require a nonrefundable deposit can best be explained by the following analogy: Say you are making or supplementing your income by means of selling your own art work. Someone commissions you for a piece but then after you complete the project the customer changes his mind. If you are lucky you will eventually be able to sell the piece, but more often than not, you’re stuck with it. Now you’re out the cost of the materials and the time it took for you to complete the work. A deposit functions as a security for artists. By paying the deposit you are telling the artist you’re serious about the work, and the artist does not suffer as large a loss if you back out or are not satisfied for any reason.
By answering all of these questions, you will be able to confidently select the right artist for you.
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