| Commonly
Asked Questions:
(1) What kind of photos should I send?
(2) How many photos
should I send?
(3) Do I get the pictures back?
(4) Can I e-mail my photos to you?
(5) Do you ship out of state?
(6) How long will it take?
(7) How are prices determined and
what forms of payment do you take?
(8)
Do you provide matting or framing?
(9)
Can you get this done faster so I can get it framed?
(10) Why do portraits and
caricatures cost
less at amusement parks and fairs?
11) Which medium
should I choose, and which is better, black and white or color?
12)
Can you draw the picture in the middle of a large sheet so we can sign
our names around it?
13) What's the
difference between a caricature and a portrait?
(1) What kind of photos
should I send?
Details of the face of the person
need
to be clear. Blurry or pictures taken from a great distance (such as a
large group picture) provide little help for doing
an accurate depiction of a person. The face should be at least postage
stamp
size or bigger for best
results with the person against a light colored background if possible
so the head/hair shape can be clearly seen. If parts of the head are
cut off, that also may be a problem for creating an accurate drawing.
See some samples of good photos here.
For color orders, please
specify eye and hair color as not all photos show such details clearly.
Please send only original photos or digital
shots printed on photo paper. Please do not send
grainy printouts from ink jet printers
printed on plain bond paper as these lack the necessary resolution to
see proper color and details. Instead of printing these photos in poor
quality, send the original files via email.
return
to top
(2)
How many photos should I send?
Two or more photos are required and the more the
merrier! It's important
to have more than one photo so for a good idea of how the
subject looks three-dimensionally from the different views. If
doing a group, you do not need to send pictures of the whole
group in one
picture. Individual shots of each person is actually preferred!
return
to top
(3)
Do I get the pictures back?
Most definitely! Original photos sent via mail are returned safe and
sound I keep them in a plastic sleeve or scan them to view on
my monitor when drawing from original photos. You may want to
put a label or write your name on the back of your photos, but this is
not mandatory.
return
to top
(4)
Can I e-mail my photos to you?
Yes! But
please do not send photos
until your order is confirmed!
I prefer either gif or jpg files, and please name your photos
with
your last name so they don't get confused with other client
photos. Faces in photos should be clear and large enough to
see the details of the face. Please do not shrink photos
down, but please do not send files that are more than a total of 2 MB
in size as this may overflow my mailbox and cause other email to bounce
back to senders.
return to top
(5) Do you ship out of state?
Yes!
I've had clients from Guam to New York City and points far and wide in
between. You may choose Priority Mail (add $5.00) or next day delivery
via Express Mail (add $15.00) or you may provide a FedEx or UPS account
number if you wish. International orders will require
additional postage fees as needed.
return
to top
(6)
How long will it take?
Orders are processed in the order they are received and turnaround time
is dependent upon the size of the order and current workload.
A
lead time of two to three weeks is recommended. Rush orders requiring
less than two weeks can sometimes be
squeezed into the schedule but are subject to an additional fee.
return
to top
(7) How are prices determined and
what forms of payment do you take?
Prices are determined based on complexity and usage.
Caricatures for reproduction for such uses as invitations,
apparel, promotional materials and commercial websites are priced
slightly higher because a copyright release is given to allow for
reproduction as the client sees fit. Pre-payment is required
for all internet orders and can be made by money order, check or direct
deposit, or with a credit card using Paypal (it's free!) (see Paypal.com
for more info)
return
to top
(8)
Do you provide matting or framing?
I'm
sorry, but I'm an artist, not a framer! My most usual sizes,
however,
are able to be framed easily with do-it-yourself framing that you can
find at department or hobby stores.
If you are wanting to use a caricature for people to sign, I suggest
using a wide matte, and having the guests sign the matte so the
original artwork is not marred by ink or markers.
return to top
(9)
Can you get this done faster so I can get it framed?
The common misconception is that framers need the artwork well in
advance. This isn't always true. If you know the size of the artwork
(as you would since you choose the picture size) you can either
purchase pre-made frames or purchase custom frames by just the size
alone. Since the artwork is custom-made, it can be designed using a
predetermined dominant color to match a mat selected in advance.
Just as is done with a photo, artwork done on paper can just be slipped
into a frame in minutes without professional help in most cases. If
this seems to be a concern, you may ask your framer to provide
directions and/or to make sure that they give you a frame that has a
backing that can be easily opened.
return
to top
(10)
Why do portraits and caricatures cost less at amusement parks and fairs?
When "live" caricature or portraiture is done, it's done "in one take"
in about five
to ten minutes, take it or leave it. Any stray lines or goof-ups are
part of the picture and aren't corrected. The artist has total
editorial control over the picture's content, color, and size, and the
work is not done with top quality materials. Quantity, not necessarily
quality, is the main concern for live work.
By contrast, with custom caricatures from photos, I seek your approval
of a
preliminary sketch before finalizing the work. You have the freedom to
give ideas on a pose, props and any wording to be included. Unlike a
street artist, I take the time to work with you to make sure you are
satisfied with the final product. Also, the high-grade materials used
will not fade, yellow or curl. You get more, and the quality and
service is worth the price! return to top
11)
Which medium should I choose, and which is better, black and white or
color?
Each medium has its merits! Pencil
is "quick sketch" and is gray "line art", so
there is very little shading and it is not recommended for
reproduction. It is good if all you need is a quick drawing. Pen
and ink reproduces very well if you are looking
for a simple, high-contrast look and require "line art". Ink
wash is "grayscale", which means it has shading and
more subtlety than a linear drawing. It is the most realistic of the
black and white media.
Ink
wash plus color is black and white with a spot
color or two for effect. This is not a color drawing, but
contains some color for either an antique look or to emphasize a
certain color such as a team color in a sports drawing. Watercolor,
of course, is the most realistic and allows the most versatility in
choosing a background and in capturing the nuances of skin
tones. If your budget allows, full color is always the best
bet.
return to top
12)
Can you draw the picture in the middle of a large sheet so we can sign
our names around it?
For such gifts, I recommend purchasing a matte to use for
signatures. This will protect the artwork from being marred
by errant ink or smudging from too much handling by several
people. While I don't do matting, you can buy a matte at a
hobby store that will fit the usual sizes that I offer.
return to top
13) What's the difference between a
caricature and a portrait?
Portraits are realistic drawings or paintings of a subject, caricatures
are humorous and will contain some exaggerations. If you are
seeking something that "makes me look good", you should probably choose
a portrait. While I don't usually draw wildly exaggerated or
"mean" caricatures (unless asked!), it should be understood that a
caricature is a cartoony portrait, not a "glamour shot".
If
you want something more serious, then go with a portrait. If
you want to have a little more fun with your subject, then a caricature
is the right choice!
return to top
|
