TO ORDER PRINTS OF MY ART (paper or canvas, framed or unframed, also tees, mugs, greeting cards, etc..): Fine Art America: http://fineartamerica.com/profiles/lisa-hershman.html Printify.com: https://artisticgifts.printify.me/products
CUSTOM PET PORTRAITS I'd love to hear what you envision for your pet portrait! Let's discuss the portrait before making the deposit, click here to email me. I will reply within 24 hours. Or call 949-289-0279.
Photos of your pet/s? At least one or more good/detailed images of your pet/s (especially the face). Please email them to me if you have a digital file. See PHOTO TIPS page to choose the best photos to send me, or tips on how to take new photos of your pet for a custom portrait. Please tape the photo to a slightly larger piece of tag board or cardboard so it doesn't bend in the mail. Also please write your name, phone number, email address, along with your pet's name, on the board, under the photo. Email me your photos.
Background? You have the option of choosing a background color, or I will use my own discretion. If you want a specific background you can send a photo for reference or give me a general idea of what you want the background to look like.
Canvas Sizes? When determining the size of your portrait, try to think about the overall feeling and effect you want to get. Imagine it in your home or at your gift receiver's home. Canvases come in many sizes for both traditional material canvas and wood.
More than one pet? If you want more than one pet in the portrait just include the photo/s for each pet face close-up, and body.
Do the custom portraits come framed? No. All traditional material canvases I use are gallery wrapped (1.5" edges) so framing is not necessary. If you do prefer a frame, framing is very individualized; dependent on where you plan to hang your portrait, personal color preferences and varying costs, so I feel that it is best for you to choose your own frame.
How long does it take? How soon you get your pet portrait is dependent on how many other commissions I am working on. Once you contact me I will let you know within 24 hours what the length of your wait time will be. On average, turnaround time for portraits is 3-4 weeks. If you have a special occasion in mind, I will try to arrange to finish your portrait within the available time or you can give the recipient a gift certificate.
How much is the shipping cost? The cost of shipping and handling is determined just before shipping and I will contact you about the various methods and prices.
How can I be sure that my painting will arrive undamaged? I carefully ship all my paintings. I place a slightly larger cardboard than the canvas over the front to prevent puncture. They are placed into a packing box that is protected on all sides with filler.
ShippingInsurance As an additional precaution your painting will be insured. If by any remote chance the painting is damaged (proof will be required) I will fix the problem area or paint a new portrait for you.
Do I need to make an initial deposit? Yes, an initial non-refundable deposit of 50% is required for paintings. The deposit will be deducted from your total cost. I accept checks, Venmo @LisaHershman, and Zelle 949-289-0279. When the painting is finished I will email you a photo of it and upon your approval we will finalize the transaction.
How To Take A Good Photo for Your Pet Portrait
GETTING STARTED ≈ First you will need to send me a photo (or more) of your pet. ≈ You can email me it or snail mail it to me. ≈ Please be sure to send a clear, detailed photo of your pet and feel free to send a few different photos. It's best if the pet is looking at the viewer so I can see the eyes clearly. Make sure it is a photo that captures your pet’s energy (or lack thereof... haha) so that I can create a painting that not only looks like him or her, but one that reminds you of his or her character.
SEND A PHOTO YOU HAVE If you do not have the time to take new photos of your pet, or your pet has passed away, email me what you have. Please remember that a blurred photo will compromise your pet’s features and in turn his or her likeness in the painting.
TAKE A NEW PHOTO Here are a few tips for taking a NEW picture of your pet.
Outdoor Lighting ≈ Outdoor lighting is best! ≈ Take the photo in the shade if you are outdoors to guarantee true colors. ≈ DO NOT use a flash — you’ll be sure to get red-eye and I won’t know your pet's eye color or see detail.
Indoor Lighting ≈ If you need to take the photo indoors, be sure to have enough light. ≈ DO NOT use a flash. You can use a lamp or spotlight to achieve a brighter photo without flash.
Your Position ≈ Try to take the shot at your pet’s level – eye level is best. ≈ Make sure he or she is calm and comfortable while taking their picture. ≈ You may need someone to hold them but that will not be a problem for me as long as their face isn’t covered.
Expression and Pose ≈ A smile would be great unless you have a very serious pet. ≈ Try to capture his or her personality so that I can duplicate the feel of your pet in the painting.
If you are unable to email photo/s, please send a COPY of your photo, not the original. Please tape the photo to a slightly larger piece of tag board or cardboard so it doesn't bend in the mail. Also please write your name, phone number, email address, along with your pet's name, on the board, under the photo.