Frequently Asked Questions
Can I commission an artwork of any subject?
Yes! Over the years I have drawn & painted a wide variety of subjects including people, still lifes, landscapes, seascapes, even a saint or two....but animals are my passion & my "Fur Baby" collection reflects my love of all things animal.....especially dogs & cats! See the gallery for examples of these artworks.
Do you work from photos?
Yes. I draw from the pet/people photos that you provide, as animals don’t stay still for very long! Neither do humans. (unless they’re asleep!).
Can I provide just one photo?
Yes, although the more photos the better, especially for colour information as sometimes photos, even if the pose is typical, don’t give accurate colourations. Remember, that I don’t know your precious pet as well as you do!
What sort of photo do I need?
If you have a selection of photos or prints, try to select ones that are typical of your pet. Clear photos are the best, however, my skills are such that I can draw/paint from most photos and I can combine, delete or add information, change backgrounds and poses. See before & after sample tab. Pets can be notoriously shy around cameras, so if you don’t have the perfect photo, don’t worry. In my past I have added eyes (where the animal's fur was covering them), blow dried fur (where the fur was wet in the photo) and removed obstructions on the animal.(deleted harnesses, taken away objects that are hiding a part of the pet's body, etc)
If I have more than one pet that I want drawn, can I provide two separate photos of them?
Yes. I can combine them, even if they are of a different scale. I can also reverse them if they need to be facing each other. See before & after sample tab on this website.
Can you draw or paint any animals?
Yes. Please see the gallery on my website for the various animals: dogs, cats, birds, bunnies, horses that I have created as custom artworks.
Can you add a person in with my pet portrait?
Yes! As you will see under the portrait tab on my website, I have created many people portrait commissions over the years. It is no problem to combine a human & animal, even if you don't have photos of them in the appropriate poses or the same scale! I can capture them together! The magic of art!
I only have a poor quality photo/print of my pet, can you work from it?
Mostly, yes! Over the years I have received photo references of animals or humans which range from excellent resolution to quite blurry. I have never rejected a commission! Obviously, the better your photos, the more likely your precious pet or loved one will be captured accurately, but I have the skills to create a successful drawing or painting from most references. I will advise you if the photo reference is unsuitable.
I only have one photo/print….is that enough?
Yes! Although the more pet photos the better, so provide whatever you can….sometimes other photos of your pets can provide information that may help to accurately capture your custom pet portrait.
Can you change the background, or complete a cropped photo?
Yes, you can specify a different background; I have often been asked to include a background context which is significant to your pet, though keep in mind that the subject is the animal & a portrait of them, so you don’t want too much going on in the artwork! I have often added on paws & ear tips if incomplete photos have been provided!! Many of my artworks feature sketchy, neutral coloured line work in the background, which enhances & doesn't dominate the pet portrait.
My dog or cat is black, (or white) does this make it less time consuming to draw, therefore cheaper?
There is no such thing as pure white or black in the hair of a pet; I layer many subtle colours in my drawings & paintings, especially in the shadows! So, unfortunately, no, the price is the same as a coloured artwork!
Do you select the photo/print reference, or do I?
This is entirely up to you! Some people have favourite pet photos that they believe captures the best likeness of their precious animal. However, I am happy to select the photo/print which I think will make the best drawing or painting (compositionally). Of course, I will gain your approval before going ahead with the artwork. This is a custom pet portrait, so created according to your instructions.
How do I get the photo(s) or prints to you?
I prefer that you email your pet photos to me as an online attachment, by phone or post photos or prints of your pets to me via snail mail.
What is pastel and what surface do you work on?
Pastel is finely ground pigment, which is mixed with Gum Arabic binding to make a stick. Colours are as saturated and strong as in painting; in fact, it is often referred to as "Pastel Painting", even though it is a drawing technique.The surface that I work on is a fine sandpaper board (Pastelmat Board) which allows me to capture the fine detail that you see in my artwork.
Do you do paintings as well?
Yes, I can create oil or acrylic pet paintings on canvas, upon request.
How long does a "Fur Baby" Pet Portrait take to complete?
After confirmation is made with a 50% deposit, your pet drawing or painting will usually be completed within two weeks. I can complete an artwork more quickly upon request, subject to my current workload.
Can I receive a preview of my pet portrait?
I don’t send out preliminary or progress images of artwork because scans and photos can often give false colourations. I have never had an unhappy customer, but will happily alter anything in the artwork if you are not one hundred percent satisfied with your pet portrait!
What prices do you charge?
A4 is the most commonly requested size for a pet portrait, although I can do any size that you require. See below for price & size of artworks. This guide applies to other subjects as well.
What if I want more than one dog/cat/bird/horse/bunny/animal/person in the same drawing/painting?
The charges below are based on a single portrait. If you wish to have more than one animal or human portrait drawn or painted then extra charges will apply, depending on detail. A substantial discount will apply though if more than two portraits are requested. (P.O.A.)
Do you provide framing for my "Fur Baby" pet portrait?
Yes! My framing prices are very competitive and much cheaper than professional framing. I can frame your artwork in simple but elegant black, white, wooden, gold or silver frames, subject to availability. Again, see the chart below for prices.
If you choose not to have your pet portrait framed by me, you will still receive the artwork presented in a mount (heavy cardboard frame, around 5cm wide)and backed by stiff board. Most sizes below are standard sizes, so you can use a ready made frame, or alternatively have it professionally framed.
Do you deliver?
To ensure you are completely satisfied with the portrait, I can personally deliver your artwork to you, if you are within 10km of Sydney’s CBD. If not,I can pack it securely & post it across Australia and internationally. Price and method of delivery will be quoted on request.
How do I pay?
Payment for your pet portrait deposit & balance can be made online when I supply bank details, or via mailed cheque or in person on delivery.
Any more questions?
I am happy to answer any other queries about portrait (or any other subject) commissions. Please contact me through my contact form on this website, shirleybond.com.au or phone me on 0405387916.
Pricing for Pastels
Size
Price without Framing
Width and Height ( mm) drawing size
Price with Framing
A1
$600 (guide only)
594 x 841 mm
Frame POA
A2
$500 (guide only)
420 x 594 mm
Frame POA
A3
$400
297 x 420 mm
$500 with frame
A4
$300
210 x 297 mm
$370 with frame
Please note that painting prices will be advised on request.
Can I commission an artwork of any subject?
Yes! Over the years I have drawn & painted a wide variety of subjects including people, still lifes, landscapes, seascapes, even a saint or two....but animals are my passion & my "Fur Baby" collection reflects my love of all things animal.....especially dogs & cats! See the gallery for examples of these artworks.
Do you work from photos?
Yes. I draw from the pet/people photos that you provide, as animals don’t stay still for very long! Neither do humans. (unless they’re asleep!).
Can I provide just one photo?
Yes, although the more photos the better, especially for colour information as sometimes photos, even if the pose is typical, don’t give accurate colourations. Remember, that I don’t know your precious pet as well as you do!
What sort of photo do I need?
If you have a selection of photos or prints, try to select ones that are typical of your pet. Clear photos are the best, however, my skills are such that I can draw/paint from most photos and I can combine, delete or add information, change backgrounds and poses. See before & after sample tab. Pets can be notoriously shy around cameras, so if you don’t have the perfect photo, don’t worry. In my past I have added eyes (where the animal's fur was covering them), blow dried fur (where the fur was wet in the photo) and removed obstructions on the animal.(deleted harnesses, taken away objects that are hiding a part of the pet's body, etc)
If I have more than one pet that I want drawn, can I provide two separate photos of them?
Yes. I can combine them, even if they are of a different scale. I can also reverse them if they need to be facing each other. See before & after sample tab on this website.
Can you draw or paint any animals?
Yes. Please see the gallery on my website for the various animals: dogs, cats, birds, bunnies, horses that I have created as custom artworks.
Can you add a person in with my pet portrait?
Yes! As you will see under the portrait tab on my website, I have created many people portrait commissions over the years. It is no problem to combine a human & animal, even if you don't have photos of them in the appropriate poses or the same scale! I can capture them together! The magic of art!
I only have a poor quality photo/print of my pet, can you work from it?
Mostly, yes! Over the years I have received photo references of animals or humans which range from excellent resolution to quite blurry. I have never rejected a commission! Obviously, the better your photos, the more likely your precious pet or loved one will be captured accurately, but I have the skills to create a successful drawing or painting from most references. I will advise you if the photo reference is unsuitable.
I only have one photo/print….is that enough?
Yes! Although the more pet photos the better, so provide whatever you can….sometimes other photos of your pets can provide information that may help to accurately capture your custom pet portrait.
Can you change the background, or complete a cropped photo?
Yes, you can specify a different background; I have often been asked to include a background context which is significant to your pet, though keep in mind that the subject is the animal & a portrait of them, so you don’t want too much going on in the artwork! I have often added on paws & ear tips if incomplete photos have been provided!! Many of my artworks feature sketchy, neutral coloured line work in the background, which enhances & doesn't dominate the pet portrait.
My dog or cat is black, (or white) does this make it less time consuming to draw, therefore cheaper?
There is no such thing as pure white or black in the hair of a pet; I layer many subtle colours in my drawings & paintings, especially in the shadows! So, unfortunately, no, the price is the same as a coloured artwork!
Do you select the photo/print reference, or do I?
This is entirely up to you! Some people have favourite pet photos that they believe captures the best likeness of their precious animal. However, I am happy to select the photo/print which I think will make the best drawing or painting (compositionally). Of course, I will gain your approval before going ahead with the artwork. This is a custom pet portrait, so created according to your instructions.
How do I get the photo(s) or prints to you?
I prefer that you email your pet photos to me as an online attachment, by phone or post photos or prints of your pets to me via snail mail.
What is pastel and what surface do you work on?
Pastel is finely ground pigment, which is mixed with Gum Arabic binding to make a stick. Colours are as saturated and strong as in painting; in fact, it is often referred to as "Pastel Painting", even though it is a drawing technique.The surface that I work on is a fine sandpaper board (Pastelmat Board) which allows me to capture the fine detail that you see in my artwork.
Do you do paintings as well?
Yes, I can create oil or acrylic pet paintings on canvas, upon request.
How long does a "Fur Baby" Pet Portrait take to complete?
After confirmation is made with a 50% deposit, your pet drawing or painting will usually be completed within two weeks. I can complete an artwork more quickly upon request, subject to my current workload.
Can I receive a preview of my pet portrait?
I don’t send out preliminary or progress images of artwork because scans and photos can often give false colourations. I have never had an unhappy customer, but will happily alter anything in the artwork if you are not one hundred percent satisfied with your pet portrait!
What prices do you charge?
A4 is the most commonly requested size for a pet portrait, although I can do any size that you require. See below for price & size of artworks. This guide applies to other subjects as well.
What if I want more than one dog/cat/bird/horse/bunny/animal/person in the same drawing/painting?
The charges below are based on a single portrait. If you wish to have more than one animal or human portrait drawn or painted then extra charges will apply, depending on detail. A substantial discount will apply though if more than two portraits are requested. (P.O.A.)
Do you provide framing for my "Fur Baby" pet portrait?
Yes! My framing prices are very competitive and much cheaper than professional framing. I can frame your artwork in simple but elegant black, white, wooden, gold or silver frames, subject to availability. Again, see the chart below for prices.
If you choose not to have your pet portrait framed by me, you will still receive the artwork presented in a mount (heavy cardboard frame, around 5cm wide)and backed by stiff board. Most sizes below are standard sizes, so you can use a ready made frame, or alternatively have it professionally framed.
Do you deliver?
To ensure you are completely satisfied with the portrait, I can personally deliver your artwork to you, if you are within 10km of Sydney’s CBD. If not,I can pack it securely & post it across Australia and internationally. Price and method of delivery will be quoted on request.
How do I pay?
Payment for your pet portrait deposit & balance can be made online when I supply bank details, or via mailed cheque or in person on delivery.
Any more questions?
I am happy to answer any other queries about portrait (or any other subject) commissions. Please contact me through my contact form on this website, shirleybond.com.au or phone me on 0405387916.
Pricing for Pastels
Size
Price without Framing
Width and Height ( mm) drawing size
Price with Framing
A1
$600 (guide only)
594 x 841 mm
Frame POA
A2
$500 (guide only)
420 x 594 mm
Frame POA
A3
$400
297 x 420 mm
$500 with frame
A4
$300
210 x 297 mm
$370 with frame
Please note that painting prices will be advised on request.