Question 1

How much does a pet portrait cost?

Accepted Answer

The cost of your portrait will depend on both the size and the style chosen.
 
There are three styles available all using different media - graphite pencil, watercolour and pastel - and pricing, in part, will reflect the cost of the materials used for each of these styles. Your portrait is created using only high quality materials so that it will last lifetimes if correctly cared for.
 
Similarly, the size of a portrait will also affect the price as larger portraits take longer to complete, increasing the labour cost of the art piece, and use up more materials. Some styles and any custom requirements will also carry a surcharge to cover the additional cost of any specially ordered materials.
 
For full details of pricing see here.

Question 2

How long does it take to receive my portrait?

Accepted Answer

There is no fixed timescale for a portrait as each size and different media takes a different amount of time. There will also be variations depending on the individual pet. Reference photo quality can also affect the timescale. However, under normal circumstances, you can expect to receive your portrait within 4-6 weeks of ordering, which includes wait times, planning and portrait creation.
 
For all of the reasons listed above, it is difficult to give a specific completion date, but on average most portraits will be completed in around 2 weeks. Please do bear in mind that your portrait cannot begin within the first 7 days of your order being received due to your legal right to cancel any online order within 7 days. This, however, will impact very few people as orders are fulfillied in the order they are received and wait times will usually be required. Your deposit secures your place in the wait list, guaranteeing your portrait will be worked upon as soon as your turn comes around.

Question 3

Do you offer gift vouchers?

Accepted Answer

Gift vouchers are available for fixed values which coordinate with our price list. Rather than allow gift vouchers to be fixed to a particular portrait style, this allows the recipient to choose their own style or even upgrade to a larger size by paying the difference. 
 
Vouchers are valid for 1 year from the date of purchase and can be delivered to you or to your intended recipient directly with your choice of message.
 
Memorial gift vouchers are also available. These special portraits come with hand-lettered pet name and date inscription.

Question 4

Can I request a custom size/design?

Accepted Answer

If you require something different to the options listed please feel free to Contact me to discuss your requirements. Please be aware that most changes will incur additional costs, particularly for any sizes that are outside of my usual range as only the papers and boards used in standard portraits are kept in regular stock.
 
The standard prices and options listed are for a single pet, head and shoulders only. Additional pets or full body can be added with additional costs starting from £40.

Question 5

What should I do with my unframed art?

Accepted Answer

Once you have unpacked your portrait, please retain the packaging so that you can keep the painting safe until it is framed. 
 
Do - 
keep the portrait flat and face up
keep it wrapped in the packaging
store it in a cool, dry place
 
Do not - 
touch the surface of the art
brush, blow or scratch the surface
roll pastel or watercolour portraits
 
Whilst some portraits (pastel and pencil) will have been lightly sealed with a fixative, they will not be impervious to smudging or damage. Furthermore, naturally occuring oils in your skin can damage both the fixative layer and the portrait itself.
 
Pastel should be mounted with a gap between the surface of the artwork and the glass/perspex of the frame. This is most easily achieved with a thick mount, a spacer or multiple mounts. If in doubt, seek the advice of a professional framer. The standardised sizes chosen are intended to make the purchase of a suitable frame simpler, but for the best finish possible, a professional,local framer is recommended.  If you do not wish to transport your artwork to a framer, there are online services who can custom build a frame and in this instance you will need to decide the required dimensions.
 
These portraits are not suited to open framing and will require a glass/perspex/plexiglass cover. Please ensure any plastic based frames have been treated for the removal of static to avoid damage to pastel artwork.

Question 6

How do I take care of my art?

Accepted Answer

Most original artwork pieces are reasonably fragile but given some basic care can last lifetimes. All portraits use only high quality materials designed to resist fade and light damage, however it is recommended that portraits are not hung in direct sunlight. As long as suitable care is taken when framing, the portrait will need minimum maintenance. A few points to be aware of:
 
- when hanging pastel portraits, avoid banging or knocking the frame as this may cause movement of the pigment
- direct sunlight or fluorescent lighting may provoke some fading even in the most fade-resistant of materials
- when under glass/perspex, the heat of the sun can create humidity which can cause pastel artwork to stick to the glass. Ensure spacers/mounts are used to keep a gap between the portrait and the glass
- if storing or transporting your framed artwork flat, always keep it face up

Question 7

Will my pastel/pencil portrait be fixed?

Accepted Answer

Absolutely. I spend many many hours getting the portrait just right and, since pencil and pastel are both prone to smudging or movement of pigment, I feel it is very important to ensure that they are well protected before I ship them out to you.
I know that some artists have concerns about accidental spattering or colour shift when using fixatives, but this is easily remedied by the use of high quality and well tested fixatives. I spare no expense when it comes to choosing fixatives and use only ones that come highly recommended by other artists.

Question 8

How will you create my portrait from the photos I provide?

Accepted Answer

When you order a portrait, you will be asked to provide a 'main' photo of your pet. This will be used as the pose for the artwork. Additional photos provided may help with specific details including colour and fur texture. These are especially important if your main (pose) image does not reflect the true colour of your pet. Review our Photo Advice for tips on how best to represent your pet in your photos to get the most out of your portrait.
 
If you choose to have a background in your portrait, your main photo will initially be used to create a mockup of the finished piece to illustrate how the background colour will look.
 
In creating your portrait, your main photo will be used initially to set out a simple sketch base upon which details, colours, tone and texture seen in the photos will be built up in layers.  As an example, this process takes a minimum of 8-10 hours for small portraits.

Question 9

What format does my photo need to be in?

Accepted Answer

Digital photographs can be submitted in most common image formats such as .jpg or .png. Although high resolution digital images are recommended, it is sometimes not possible to provide these, particularly for memorial portraits.
 
Physical photographs can be accepted if absolutely necessary, but please do not send your only copy of a photo. It is essential that you have a copy made prior to posting any physical photographs as their safety cannot be guaranteed either in the post or in the studio where there is a lot of paint/water. Photographs will always be returned, but it is paramount that you have a backup copy of any precious pictures.
 
In order to ensure that you have the best possible photographs for your portrait, see Photo Advice. The quality of your portrait can be affected by poor quality photographs as it means that the artist will not have sufficient detail to work from. Alternate references can be used where necessary but the aim is to capture your pet and all of its unique characteristics.

Question 10

Can you add a specific background?

Accepted Answer

A simple colour wash background can be included in your portrait at no extra cost and a mockup example of what this will look like will be sent to you before work commences on your portrait. 
 
If you are looking for a more detailed background, this will be dependent upon the portrait style and size you choose and should be discussed prior to making any deposit payment. Please use the Contact form to get in touch.

Question 11

How do I pay for my portrait?

Accepted Answer

Deposit payments, approximately 1/3 of the total portrait cost, submitted via the order form on this website can be made via debit or credit card using either Paypal or Stripe checkout. Following completion of the portrait, you will be invoiced for the outstanding balance using your initial payment service. It is preferred that you use one of these online methods as it provides security for both parties, however alternatives can be discussed if this is not possible.
 
See below for specific deposit costs. Deposits for custom orders will be 1/3 of total portrait price.

Question 12

Are my details and payment information safe?

Accepted Answer

Upon placing an order, you will be asked for your name and email address. These are used only in the fulfillment of your order. A delivery address will only be requested once you have approved your portrait for shipping. 
 
Payment details are fully encrypted and handled entirely by the payment service chosen (options are Paypal or Stripe). Your debit/credit card information will never be seen or handled by Elle Jay Pawtraits. 
 
If you are unable to pay by debit/credit card, bank transfer is an option. If you choose this method your sort code and account number may be disclosed, but will not be stored by Elle Jay Pawtraits. For full information, please see the Privacy Policy.

Question 13

Do you ship outside of the UK?

Accepted Answer

If you wish to order a portrait for delivery outside of the UK, please use the contact form to discuss your requirements before completing the order form.

Frequently asked questions