Please be aware that the waiting list for commissions is usually 4 months from the time of booking. If you would like a piece producing for a specific date, please get in touch to check availability; wherever possible Lucy will try to juggle her schedule to accommodate you.

The Process

Commissioning your own piece of art, whether pet or wildlife related, is a collaboration between you and the artist. Lucy will work with you to ensure she creates a piece that meets your expectations and she will keep you involved throughout the whole process.

 

Step 1 - Choose your artwork size and reference photo

Firstly, please view the sizes and pricing page to see what type of portrait you would like. Here are a few factors to consider if you are struggling to decide what size is best for you:

  • If the artwork is for you, where are you thinking of displaying the finished piece? Do you have a specific place in mind; if so what size would be best suited to that room/wall space?

  • How many subjects are going to be in the commission and would you like them to be drawn together or separately?

  • Are you wanting the artwork to be a stand out piece, or would you prefer it to have a subtle presence in the room?

Reference photos are extremely important as not only are they used for the composition of your custom portrait, but they allow the artist to replicate as much detail as possible to help capture your pets’ unique character. If you would like any help or guidance when choosing your photo(s) please don’t hesitate to contact Lucy. Send through as many photos as you like (the more the better!), and Lucy will work with you to ensure she captures your pet at their very best!

For more information on choosing the perfect photo, please take a look at the Choosing a Reference Photo guide using the button below.

Step 2 - commission your portrait

Once you have determined the size and photo(s) which will be used, you are ready to commission your portrait. Please fill out the following form in full, including correct shipping information. Lucy aims to respond to your request within 24 hours where she will inform you of her availability, provide some composition ideas for you to consider (if applicable) and let you know if she requires any further information.

Please do check your spam/junk folders as sometimes emails may end up there instead!

Step 3 - Secure your order

Once you have completed the initial steps and are happy to proceed, a £50 non-refundable deposit is required to secure your slot in Lucys’ commission schedule. This deposit can be paid securely via PayPal or via bank transfer (UK customers only), whichever is easiest for you. Lucy will then send you an email confirming in writing everything that has been agreed upon so far.

Step 4 - watch your portrait come to life

When it is time to start your portrait, Lucy will contact you to double check that the information you provided is still correct and give you an approximate completion time. This time frame will depend upon the size of the commission and how many subjects are involved.

Initially the outline and basic details of the subject(s) are sketched and emailed over for you to check you are happy with the overall appearance, proportions and placement. Now is the time to mention any major changes you would like making, such as addition or removal of a collar, or alterations to the ear positions. Once the colour stage begins it is very difficult to make changes without damaging the paper, and so only minor alterations can be made.

Lucy will send you regular progress photos throughout the process so you can watch your pet(s) ‘come to life’ on the page. These progress photos will also be posted to her social media accounts unless you state otherwise at the time of requesting your commission (e.g. because the portrait is to be given as a surprise gift).

Once the portrait is finished Lucy will send a watermarked copy for you to check. If there are any small tweaks you would like making, such as the extension of a specific patch of fur or making the teeth whiter/duller than in the reference photo, then please let her know. Once you have confirmed you are satisfied with the piece it will be labelled as complete and no more alterations can be made.

Step 5 - Get ready to receive your commission!

Once you have confirmed you are 100% satisfied with your commission, the remaining balance will be required via your chosen payment method. Once the payment has been received, your portrait will be carefully packaged and shipped out to you. To see what is included in your commission cost and find out more about the packaging provided, please click here.

UK orders usually arrive within 1-2 days of posting. International orders can take anything between 7-14 days depending on location. If you are local to Grantham in Lincolnshire then drop off or collection can be arranged instead.