CUSTOM PAINTINGS

 COMMISSION A CUSTOM PAINTING BY ME

 FIRST, READ THE "LEGALESE" BELOW: 

I know this sounds harsh, but selling prints of my paintings is a large part of my business. 

Once you have commissioned and I have completed a commissioned painting, all legal rights to the painting are mine alone. You will own the original painting, of course; but all legal rights to the image itself, including the right to sell prints, are the exclusive property of me, Dottie Dracos, the artist. Further, you will not have the right to reproduce the painting for sale or otherwise. 

If you do not want me to have the right to reproduce prints of your painting, I will charge a sizable, "no-reproductions" fee, usually the original price of the painting, and will never have the right to sell reproductions of your painting. (I retain the right still, though, to "show off" the painting image -- but never to sell it.) 

THE COMMISSION PROCESS: 

1. To commission a custom painting of your pet or if you have questions about commissioning a painting, please email me, dottie@dottiedracos.com. 

2. IMPORTANT DETAILS:

HOW I PAINT:  "The old-fashioned way!"   I get photos of your pet from you, and I draw an image of your pet on my stretched canvas (size of your choosing).  Then I squeeze paint onto my palette, and, using my way-too-many brushes, I paint.  It's that simple.  Depending on the complexity of the image(s) I'm using for reference, generally, each painting takes between four and eight hours of actual painting, not including research, canvas prep, clean-up after a session, etc   If I have a problem with the painting, such as I may need more photos to clear up a part I can't see well in the images you have provided, it will take even longer.  When I'm nearly done with the painting, I send you a photo of it for you either to approve it as-is or suggest minor changes. 

IMAGE SIZE: You'll need to send me five to twelve large (at least 100Kb, jpg or png preferred), color, well-lit, clear, in-focus photos of your pet. Photos must be clear, in focus, close-up, and with true colors. No flash photos, please. (And I'm sorry, I just cannot work anymore with poor quality photos. 

Also, I will not combine two -- or several -- photos into one painting. However, if the pet has died and they're all you have, I'll see what I can do and let you know if I can use the images. If all you have are actual paper photos, they absolutely must be clear, in focus, close, and large enough (at least 8x10" with the subject close up to the camera) for me to see details. 

COMPOSITION: Include at least one shot that you want me to use for the painting. Most people seem to like head-and-neck or head-and-chest paintings best. If you want a full-body painting, sitting, lying, or action shots can look great. And please remember: I can only paint what I can see. Keep that in mind when submitting photos. 

SETTING OR BACKGROUND: If there's a specific color background you want, let me know and I'll do my best to work with it. I'll let you know if I think it doesn't quite work and give you some alternative color choices that you might want me to do instead. 

If you want a specific background other than a solid color, I charge an extra 10% for that. 

OTHER: Also, let me know your pet's name, her/his breed, personality, age, and anything else about her/him that you think I should know as I paint. I feel I get to know the subject as I paint, so it's important for me. 

TURNAROUND TIME: Paintings are done in the order deposits are received. Contact me, dottie@dottiedracos.com, for approximate turnaround time. 

OTHER NOTES: Sorry, at this time I don't paint human subjects. 

PRICES: 

*Prices shown are for one subject. 

*Additional Subject: There is a 1/2 additional charge for each additional subject on a canvas. 

* Free shipping.   I carefully pack and ship via either USPS or UPS. * 

DEPOSIT: 1/4 deposit required to begin commission. 

                        SIZE                              HEAD/CHEST                     FULL BODY 

                       8X10X3/4                           $135                                 Not Available 

                       8x10x1.5                            $145                                 Not Available 

                       11x14x3/4                          $205                                 $220 (not recommended) 

                        11x14x1.5                         $215                                  $240 (not recommended) 

                       16x20x3/4                          $365                                   $380 

                       16x20x1.5                         $370                                    $385

                        24x30x3/4                        $680                                    $700

                        24x30x1.5                        $695                                    $920 

(on stretched cotton canvases, sides painted black, wired and ready to hang. Frame NOT included)