YOU ARE NOT PURCHASING THE SAMPLE PAINTING!

I love painting cats and dogs. I seem to have a natural knack for capturing the spirit, not just the likeness, of your beloved pet. My beautiful pet portraits have brought tears of joy to their owners. They also make perfect birthday and holiday presents.

Here are the answers to the frequently asked questions.

1. What materials do you use?:

All my portraits are painted with professional-quality oil paints. Smaller pet portraits (5" x 7" to 8" x 10") are painted on linen panels, which require framing for display. Larger ones (9" x 12" and up) are on stretched linens; the painting comes with a hanging wire already attached, ready to hang.

2. How long does it take you to finish a portrait?:

The current turnaround time is approximately 2-4 weeks to complete the painting.

3. Do you work from the client's photo? What kind of pictures are best for portrait-making?

I work from the client's photos, preferably taken in natural light without flash. The larger the picture file is, the better it is, because of more details it contains. Thumbnail photos are no, no; high-resolutions are must! Please send as many pictures as possible as attachments to kimstenbergart [!at] gmail.com. I don't, however, usually work from multiple pictures, especially for multiple portraits because all subjects have to be under the same lighting condition. I will walk you through and make suggestions in regard to which picture will lead to the best painting.

4. Do I get to see the portrait when it is finished? If there are things I am not happy with, can I ask you to fix them?:

Of course! I always show the client the picture of the finished portrait for approval. The portrait is not declared completed until the client is 100% satisfied.

5. How long do I have to wait to receive my portrait?:

My oil paintings have to dry for the minimum of two weeks before varnishing. The longer the better. If you are not in a hurry, please let me know. Your portrait will be gift-wrapped beautifully AND securely, and shipped in a well-padded box.

6. Do you charge for shipping?:

Yes, there is a shipping/handling charge that varies depending on the size of the portrait. I ship via USPS Priority Mail (2-3 days) with tracking within the United States. Expedited shipping is available for an extra charge. I also ship worldwide via USPS International First Class (without tracking).

7. Can I pick up the portrait in person if I live locally?: Yes. Then there is no shipping/handling charge.

8. How much do you charge for portraits?:

It varies for the size and the number of subjects. I don't charge extra for the landscape elements for the outdoor portrait or the interior/still life elements for the indoor one.

SINGLE PORTRAIT PRICES:
5" x 7": $90
6" x 8" or 7" x 7": $120
8" x 8": $150
8" x 10": $180
10" x 10" or 9" x 12": $250
12" x 12" or 11" x 14": $350
12" x 16": $450
14" x 18": $550
16" x 20": $650

9. How do I commission a portrait from you?

Please purchase a listing of the size you want on Etsy. I ask the client to pay the entire amount up front.

Send me an email to kimstenbergart [!at] gmail.com if you have any questions or special requests. Thank you and I look forward to working on your commission!