Commission Process
Bringing your vision to life on scratchboard is a collaborative journey that begins long before the first mark is made. To ensure your custom portrait perfectly captures the spirit and detail of your pet, I have designed a straightforward three-part process to guide you from start to finish. Below, you will find The Steps of our creative collaboration, a detailed Guide Line to help you select the best possible image, and a clear breakdown of Size & Pricing options to fit your space and your budget.
From Vision to Masterpiece
Commissioning a piece of artwork is an exciting, one-of-a-kind experience. To show you exactly what to expect, I’ve broken the journey down into seven simple steps:
1. Dream & Prepare:
Review my size options to find the perfect fit for your vision and budget. Gather a few reference photos that capture the essence of what you’d like created.
2. The Initial Consultation:
Reach out via email or phone (check Contact Me for contact detail). We’ll discuss your ideas and review your reference photos to ensure we have the perfect foundation.
3. Secure Your Slot:
Once we’ve settled on the details, a 10% deposit secures your booking on my calendar and officially kicks off the creative process.
4. The Creative Transformation:
I’ll send you progress pictures along the way so you can watch your portrait come to life from sketch to finish.
5. Final Review:
Once the artwork is complete, I’ll send high-resolution photos of the finished piece to ensure you are 100% happy with every detail.
6. Settling the Balance:
After your final approval, the remaining balance plus shipping costs is due.
7. Delivery & Unboxing:
Your artwork is carefully packaged and shipped. All that’s left is to find the perfect spot for it on your wall!
The Key to a Masterpiece: Your Reference Photo Guide
The magic of Scratchboard lies in its incredible detail. Because I hand-etch every individual strand of fur, the quality of your portrait depends entirely on the quality of your photo. A high-resolution reference allows me to capture those tiny, unique features that make your pet who they are.
Here are four simple tips for choosing the perfect photo:
1. Get on Their Level
For the most natural and engaging portrait, try to take the photo at your pet’s eye level rather than looking down at them.
- Pro Tip: Hold a treat or their favorite squeaky toy just above the camera lens to capture an alert, soulful expression!
- Good: You can see the direction the hair grows and the distinct texture of the coat.
- Bad: The fur looks like a solid "block" of color, or the eyes are blurry and lack a clear reflection.
- Avoid Overexposure: Bright, direct sunlight often washes out the fur into solid white patches.
- Avoid Underexposure: Dark rooms or heavy shadows hide the anatomy and texture of your pet’s coat.
- Ideal: A bright, overcast day or a well-lit room near a large window.
2. The "Zoom Test" for Detail
Open your photo and zoom in on the eyes and fur.
3. Distance Matters
Try to fill the frame with your pet. If they are too far away, the camera loses the fine details I need to etch into the board. A close-up or mid-range shot works best.
4. Master the Lighting
Natural, soft light is your best friend.
The size and pricing...
