Pet Portrait FAQs

• Can you work from photos?
  Yes! I always work from photos - it’s the most convenient way for me to paint all sorts of pets from all over the world.
  

• Do you ship internationally?
  Yes! Shipping costs for pet portraits outside of the UK start at £10 and will depend on the size of the artwork. I always send pet portraits with fully-tracked shipping too.
  

• How do you post your pet portraits? Will it get crushed in the post?
  My pet portraits are carefully packed to prevent them being bent or squashed in the post. They are wrapped in acid-free tissue, then sandwiched between two sheets of heavy board. This is then secured at the edges with tape, and wrapped in paper bubble wrap. This is then placed into a very sturdy cardboard envelope. Portraits are sent with special delivery in the UK via Royal Mail, and with ‘Tracked & Signed for’ International Delivery for everywhere else.
  

• What if my pet portrait arrives damaged?
  I try my very best to ensure this won't happen. If your portrait has arrived damaged, please e-mail me photos of the damage so I can file a complaint with the delivery company if necessary. I will advise on how best to repair or conceal any damage.

• I want a pet portrait within the next week - is this possible?
  It might be - depending on my workload there’s a chance I can fit you in. It’s always worth asking. Generally waiting times are about 3-4 weeks, and longer over the Christmas season from October-December.
  

• What medium do you work in?
  I use gouache paint, which is like a thicker version of watercolour. It’s really versatile so it can be used quite thick or quite thin, it just varies depending on what the pet I am painting looks like!

• How long does it take to do a portrait?
  Usually my turnaround time is about 7-10 days from start to finish. This depends on the complexity of the piece though, and how quick the correspondence with my client is.
  

• Do the portraits come framed?
  No, portraits are always unframed. They are usually standard sizes, so you should be able to find a ready made frame if you wanted. If you need advice on how to frame your portrait, just ask.
  

• Can I have a discount if I order more than one portrait?
  No - I’m not able to offer any discounts on my pet portraits.
  

• What if I don't like the portrait? Can I get my money back?
  Honest feedback is a really important thing - if you don't like what I've created for you, it's really important that you just tell me! I'm more than happy to work with you to adjust the painting, if you are able to give me specific things you'd like to change. You can have up to three changes (within reason) in your portrait, but please remember that sometimes it's not possible to make really big alterations. If you want to discuss making changes please just ask me (it's part of my job, so please don't worry about being critical). Extra or really big alterations may incur a small charge.
  Pet portraits are non-refundable. I will make sure you are 100% happy with your portrait before I send it to you. If you change your mind half-way through the process, at the sketch stage, you will only be required to pay 50% of the total agreed fee - this will have been paid upfront and is non-refundable.

If you have any other questions to ask me please don't hesitate to get in touch by e-mailing hello@fionapurves.co.uk. I'm always happy to help!