CAN YOU DRAW MY PHOTO FROM A POOR QUALITY REFERENCE?
I ask for photographs that are as detailed as possible, however I do understand that there are times where this is not possible. For example, if one of your pets has sadly passed away. If this is the case please get in touch (mollyjayillustration@gmail.com) with the photographs you have and we will work something out.
CAN YOU DRAW MULTIPLE PETS ON ONE PAPER?
Yes that is no problem at all! However I would recommend that if you would like multiple pets on one paper, larger sized paper is always best as it enables me to get all that yummy detail into your portrait. Please be mindful that the smaller the paper, the more detail is lost.
HOW MANY PHOTOGRAPHS DO YOU REQUIRE TO WORK FROM?
I only really need one clear photograph. However I personally prefer you to send a few across to me, so I am able to see your pet in all of its glory, and can capture their character as well as their ravashing looks! Please feel free to send as many photographs as you like. I am also here to help you choose the best photograph for your portrait if you are unsure. Please email your photographs to mollyjayillustration@gmail.com.
WHAT SIZE DOES THE PHOTOGRAPH REFERENCE NEED TO BE?
Just like chocolate bars, the larger the better! The more detail I can see in a photograph the better the final portrait will be. Although I do my absolute best to make your portrait the best it can possibly be - bad quality photographs can extremely limit the detail seen.
CAN YOU REMOVE AND/OR ADD OBJECTS INTO THE PORTRAIT?
Yes I can! Past clients have asked for collars removed, warts and moles removed, and toys drawn in. If you have any special requests for adding or taking away objects, let me know when you book in with me. Please note: If additional objects added to the portrait are significant, an additional fee may be charged.
HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO COMPLETE A PORTRAIT?
Each portrait can take between 1-4 weeks depending on how big the portrait is and the complexity. Some of my larger portraits have taken 140 hours to complete, with some only 15 hours. After portrait completion I will ship your portrait 3-5 after your approval and no more chnages are to be made. When booking I will provide you with the estimated time of completion for your portrait, however if you need your portrait by a specific date, please contact me to check my availability. Gift Certificates are also available to give as a gift and their portrait can be completed at a later date.
IS MY PORTRAIT REFUNDABLE?
No. Once I have started your portrait, it is no longer refundable. Once the portrait is complete you will have the oportunity to give any final changes and alterations before I package it up to send it to you. Full payment must be made and cleared before I ship your portrait to you. If there are any issues after placing the order then please contact me so we can discuss it together.
WHEN DO I NEED TO PAY FOR MY PET PORTRAIT?
50% of the final payment is taken upfront as a booking fee to secure you a slot on my waiting list. You can cancel up to 7 days after booking and receive the full amount back, however after this time the payment is no longer refundable and is used to cover my time creating mockups, emailing and admin. Payments are transferred via Bank Transfer or PayPal.
HOW WILL MY PORTRAIT BE PACKAGED?
Packaging portraits brings me so much joy! I absolutely love mounting, framing and packing your portrait so when it arrives - you feel as though you are opening a present on Christmas day. Packing your portrait is as equally as important to me as creating it. Anyway, back to the good stuff - your portrait will arrive already double mounted (unless you have asked for otherwise) and I can also provide bespoke framing.
All my portraits are wrapped with eco-friendly biodegradable and compostable film to offer maximum protection (for the portrait and the environment), wrapped in premium tissue paper and placed into a presentation box personalised specifically for you, by me. You will also receive some extras - a business card, thank you note, certificate of authenticity, and an artwork care guide. I am all about the personal touch, so I am confident you will love your portrait and its packaging as much as I do.
WHICH PENCILS DO YOU USE?
I use a mixture of high quality professional pencils to create each portrait. All used for different textures in different ways. The pencils I use are Faber-Castell Polychomos, Caran D’ache Luminance, and Caran D’ache Pablos. Some are soft and chalky, some are hard which enables me to get sharp details. I started drawing with Polychromos in 2013 and I have never looked back!
CAN YOU SHIP INTERNATIONALLY?
Of course I can! If you’re ordering something from my shop, the shipping will automatically be calculated. However, if you’re ordering a custom portrait I can provide you with a shipping quote when you book.
CAN I TRACK MY ORDER ONCE SHIPPED?
You can indeed! I only ship my portraits tracked and signed for to ensure it reaches you safely. I will provide you with full tracking information once I have shipped your portrait.
CAN I SEE PROGRESS PICTURES OF MY PORTRAIT?
You sure can! You can also request to be suprised, it is completely up to you. If you prefer to be kept in the dark, please let me know so I know not to post it on my social media. Once the portrait is finished I will email you a watermarked scanned proof for your final approval. Once all is approved your portrait will packaged up and sent to you, and I can do a happy dance while I wait for your portrait to reach you!
HOW MUCH WILL DELIVERY COST TO SHIP MY PORTRAIT?
Shipping costs for custom portraits depend on the size of the artwork and it’s destination. I will provide you with an estimation of your portrait shipping cost when booking with me.
WHAT PAPER DO YOU USE?
Currently I use Archers 100% Cotton Hot Pressed 300gsm Watercolour Paper. However I have also used Fabriano Artistico Hot Pressed Watercolour Paper and have found it is equally as good. Both papers are of the highest standard and are a perfect surface for any detailed coloured pencil work.
**If there’s any more questions you would like added to this list, please get in touch - mollyjayillustration@gmail.com**