How long does a custom drawing take?

The time it takes to complete a drawing varies considerably depending on factors like the size of the portrait and how many subjects are to be included. Generally each drawing takes between 15-80 hours to complete.

There is usually a waiting list for pet portraits, so when you initially contact the artist it may be a few months before your drawing can be completed. The artist will provide you with an approximate week you can expect your commission to be started at the time of booking, but will then confirm a specific start date closer to this time.

If you have a specific deadline you would like the portrait to be completed by, please let the artist know at the time of booking and they will inform you as to whether or not it will be possible - Lucy Webster Fine Art will always try to juggle their schedule to accommodate your needs.
 

The pet i would like drawing has passed and I only have a limited number of low quality photos, can i still get a drawing to COMMEMORATE them?

Absolutely, send what photos you do have through for the artist to look at first so that they can confirm, but in general it is always possible to draw from lower quality photos. Please be aware that in these cases the final result may be based more on the tonal values of the pets’ colourings rather than being highly detailed. The more photos you are able to send through; the better the chance of commemorating your pet(s) to match your memories.

Do i need to have photos taken by a professional for you to use?

No, photos certainly do not have to be taken by a professional photographer! The majority of cameras and mobile phones nowadays produce good enough quality images to work from; providing the subject isn’t far off in the distance or too close to the lens. If you do happen to have some professional photographs then that is just a bonus! For copyright reasons though please ensure you have the permission of the photographer to use their original photo(s) prior to allowing the artist access.

For more information on taking reference photos, please take a look through the following guide.
 

Do you do backgrounds?

At the moment, the majority of coloured pencil work does not contain a background with the preference being to make the subject(s) the main focus of the drawing. However, if this is something you would like, please let the artist know at time of booking and they can discuss ideas with you. Lucy Webster Fine Art is happy to draw in some of the surroundings from the photo to fit the composition of the piece, or draw the whole background as seen in the photo if this is what you would prefer.

Additionally the artist has a range of different coloured papers which can be used as the backdrop to your pet(s). If you are interested in having your pet’s portrait on an alternative colour to white, please let the artist know before booking and they will inform you of what colours are available. Custom sheets/colours can also be ordered specially if you have something particular in mind that isn’t already in stock.

Can I change the reference photo?

Definitely! You have up until the week before the artist is due to start your commission to change your reference photo. Once drawing has begun then you will no longer be able to change the photo.

How do I make payments?

You can make payments for custom commissions securely through PayPal, or if you are a UK customer then you also have the option of bank transfer.

For purchases made through the online shop, all major credit/debit cards are accepted or you can once again use PayPal - please remember that you do not have to have a PayPal account set up to use it as a payment method, you can instead checkout as a guest.

How long do the drawings last?

The artist uses professional quality materials when producing all artworks. The pencils used are from artist quality brands including Faber-Castell, Derwent and Cavan d’Ache. All pencils are lightfast and predominately oil-based so there is very little risk of wax-blooming (associated with wax-based pencils).

All pieces of artwork are drawn onto acid-free, 200gsm fine-art artist paper. These factors combined mean that each piece of art is archival and should hold their original colours, effectively lasting up to 100 years providing it is suitably cared for. An artwork care guide is included with all work which gives you advice on how to look after your special piece!
 

Does the drawing come mounted and framed?

Currently portraits do not come mounted or framed. The reason for this is because the artist feels this is a very personal choice and will depend largely on the placement of the drawing within your home and may also be influenced by your home decor.

Additionally, framing portraits would incur much larger shipping costs and increase the risk of a portrait getting damaged during transportation.

However framing service can be arranged by the artist at an additional cost for UK clients if they prefer. The artist uses a framer who is registered with the Fine Art Trade Guild and uses only 100% wooden frames with acid-free mounts, conservation board and UV resistant and non-reflective glass; providing the highest level of protection for the artwork. Approximate cost for mounting and framing of an A4 piece is £50 or £80 for an A3 work. If the client chooses this option they acknowledge the increased risk of damage if the artwork is to be shipped.

Can I make copies of the drawing once I receive it?

No, this is not allowed. The artist; Lucy Webster Fine Art, retains the full rights to all drawings and artwork produced. If you wish to have additional copies of a drawing (for example should another family member also want to treasure the pet(s) involved), then high-quality giclée prints can be made using a professional printing service. This will be at an additional cost, including additional shipping, to the original drawing and will be limited to only three prints per original commission. You must let the artist know if this will be required once the portrait is finished but before it is shipped out to you.

Please be aware that whilst every effort will be made to ensure the print looks as similar to the original as possible, there may be slight differences to the overall finish due to scanner/printer settings and computer programming.