Miniatures Mug Shots
A NEW FORM OF PET PORTRAITURE
At least, it's new for us. We're introducing oil paintings of individual dog's heads, taken directly from photographs you provide. These can be profiles, straight-on shots, or something in-between.
The painting surface is a gessoed 6-inch square piece of 3/4-inch beveled pine, with sides painted black or in the blended background color of the painting. A brass screw ring is attached at the top. The final picture is sanded and varnished.
Here are some samples:
PRICE: Each miniature is limited to one dog.
1 miniature per order$75 2 or more miniatures per order$60 each Standard $8 shipping per order applies. My studio will make no reproductions of miniatures, but you may receive electronic materials upon request on disk without charge.
The Process
Whereas in the Classic portraits, I work with several pictures of your dog and place him or her in positions you may not have recorded. Usually I also recreate a personal environment from pictures of your pet's surroundings. In the miniatures, I simply copy your photo shots. This takes me far less time and costs less. Miniatures also require less wall space.
I crop, enlarge, and otherwise compose the painting, and send a pre-painting sketch to you via email jpeg. We do this for a couple of stages until you're satisfied.
To discuss a miniature portrait or portraits with me, please see my contact info at the bottom of the column at left.
Classic Portraits
RECESSION PRICE REDUCTION
Each year I accept a limited number of commissions for oil paintings of your special dog or dogs. Unless you live close by my studio in Strasburg, Virginia, we work out details by phone and/or email, exchanging numerous photos and emails or other forms of communication as the work progresses. Though I paint all breeds, Bassets are my forte!
I adapt the paintings from your photographs (as many as possible), not only to know how your hound looks, but to try to understand his or her personality, moods, favorite places, and props—like toys or pillows—and surroundings—like bedrooms or flower gardens. It is useful to have computer capability to send jpegs to me and for me to send various sketches, proofs, and frame options back to you along the way. The process usually takes from three to six weeks—occasionally less.
I love it when I have the opportunity to meet and know the model, but it isn’t essential. I don’t/can’t do people.
Your dog is embedded in a scene or environment of your choosing.
SIZE: The size range is from 16 x 20" to 22 x 28", including squares. Larger than that and I ask for a surcharge to cover shipping. I can and do use canvas or wood panel. Size depends on your wall space; proportion depends on the content of the picture.
PRICE: Price is independent of size, within the size-range specified, and without regard to the the pose or complexity of the background.
1 dog in picture $3502 dogs in picture$4003 dogs in picture$450Prices include a frames (within an allowance of $50-$85) and shipping.
On classic portraits, I reserve the right to reproduce and sell copies of the original. I will also provide you with electronic materials on disk without additional charge at your request. At the top of this column is a print of "Boy with Toy," which you may have seen on our site as a print. It is actually a portrait of Moby, a fine young male Basset from Washington, DC.
How to Begin, How to Decide
A painting of a beloved pet is a wonderful thing to own and a wonderful gift to give. You and I can work together to answer many questions you will have. Some of them are:
1. How large should it be? Take into account the width of the frame when eyeing your wall space or that of the recipient. Frames are available in custom sizes from my sources at no extra charge.
2. Do you have good likenesses of your dog or dogs? I'd like to have them from all sides, front and back, etc. Do you have a way—by mail or email jpegs to get them to me? I’ll scan them and get the originals back to you quickly.
3. Pictures of the environment. Also, if you want your pets portrayed in a favorite chair, by your garden fence, or elsewhere specific to their surroundings, I’ll need those pictures too.
4. When do you want it? Give me as much time as you reasonably can. Composing and painting take time, drying and varnishing take time, and so does shipping.
5. How do I contact Liz with questions? Ways to reach me are shown below:
Tel. 540 465-2828
snail mail: 192 High St., Strasburg, VA 22657
Portraits of Your Special Dog or Dogs Familiar Classics or New Miniatures
Rodney, Sadie, and Fred
