Commission Process

 

 1. Questions

Please feel free to contact me with any questions you may have - cheryl@h2orainbowportraits.com - The consultation and advice are free.
 2. Choosing your photo
 I prefer to work from original photo's, but at this stage an emailed scan will serve our purpose, a starting point for further discussions.

Perhaps you have exactly the photo you would like to use already chosen; if you are still in the process of choosing a photo, or needing to take one, my advice is to consider the clarity of the photo first. If I can't see it, I can't paint it.

I can change many aspects of the photo; move people closer together, change the colors, improve the lighting, leave out unappealing elements, etc. But I can't change the expression or likeness so to speak.

Consider the lighting source as you sift through choices or plan your photo shoot. Outdoor or natural light is my favorite as it lends itself to creating a rational source of the shadows, where lamps and flash bulbs create discrepentsies in the shapes. I can work with those kinds of photo's, but may need some additional views to help with the likeness.

One last piece of advice on choosing your photo; this is the most important part really, what is meaningful to you ... I did one of a cat, laying with her back legs splayed out flat behind her like a rabbit on "her" carpet. It was the way she laid that the client wanted to capture, it was a gift for her son, meaningful only to them. I did one of a view from a boat, looking across the cove at dusk. A special memory of a time spent. You get the idea.

Once you have made your choice on the photo you would like to discuss, send it along so we can chat.
3. Sending your photo
 Simply scan or have it done somewhere like Kinko's, in a .jpeg, .gif, .tif, .png or .bmp, and send. I can receive up to 10 meg's per email, which should allow for high resolution scans ( i.e. 150 dpi - 600 dpi ).
4. Consultation
 Again, the consultation is free. Once I receive the photo, we'll have a basis for our discussions; size, alterations, etc. I can give you an idea what my completion time would be; it's dependent on how many paintings I have already in progress and the specifics of yours.
I will then send to you a price quote for variations as per our discussions.
5. Accept or decline

At this stage, if you accept the quote, I will send to you a formal agreement, outlining the payment procedure. When I receive your downpayment, I will begin your painting.
6. Painting in progress
 Feel free to contact me during this time. I will begin by working up my graphite sketches ( the basis for the final sketch onto the cotton paper ), which I will send scans of for your approval. Adjustments can be made at this point. Once we have a sketch approved, the painting will begin. I can't make changes at this point. The uniqueness of watercolor pigments and papers restricts being able to "mess" around with it. The beauty of watercolor is in it's freshness.
When completed, I will send a scan for your final approval.
7. Final approval
 Your satisfaction is paramount to the success of my business, as well as my joy. Upon approval, your painting will be on it's way. Watercolors do not require a long curing time, or a coating like oils do. They are ready to mat and frame when they arrive.
8. Shipping
 I will arrange for shipping and notify you of the tracking number. When you receive your painting, I will expect prompt payment of the balance that remains.
The nature of a custom painting is it's uniqueness.
It is for this reason that I can not offer generic gift certificates.
 

I reserve the rights to all abandoned ( unpaid for ) paintings to sell or display in a gallery as I choose.

 

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