I work exclusively in acrylic on canvas. I prefer acrylic paints because they are non-toxic to the environment and to humans and pets. They also work with my style of painting, which is quick, loose, and multi-layered. My goal is to create not only a lasting memory for you of your horse, but also a work of art that will stand on its own. Because of this, I prefer to have a little artistic license with the composition.

As I paint, I like the idea of the background to be influenced by and in concert with, the subject – your horse. The background style and color I choose are purposefully in harmony with the rest of the painting. I choose colors for the background that will compliment the colors that I have used in the subject. If there is a color that you really dislike, or you know where you are going to hang the art and there is a lot of strong color already in the room, please let me know this before I start on your piece so that I can keep this in mind.

Commissioning a portrait -

Once you have decided that you like my work and would like for me to create a painting of your horse, I rwquest a 50% deposit before starting work. I will also need a few photographs of your horse (digital preferred, but I can use snapshots) to choose from. You and I will discuss the photographs, and I may provide you with a couple compositional ideas from which you can choose. With payment and photographs in hand, I will begin your painting. Lead time as of July 2009 is approximately 6 weeks. When I am finished with your painting, I will provide you with a digital photo of it via email for your final approval. I want everyone that I paint a portrait for to be extremely pleased with the results, therefore, you are not obligated to purchase the painting when I am finished. Upon final payment, your painting will be professionally packaged, insured, and shipped via FedEx, or UPS. If you live in the Santa Barbara area I can deliver it or you can pick it up at my studio

If you want more than one horse in the painting, the addition of other elements, or a more complicated background, please contact me to discuss.  (additional cost will apply to the base cost of a 1-horse painting.)

Sending Photos -

I work from photographs either provided by you, or that I take myself (if you are close to where I live in Santa Barbara, CA). I charge $100 to come and shoot your horse (photo!) See my photo tips below for creative tips on how to best photograph your horse to get a great painted portrait. I prefer digital photos (as high resolution as possible.)  I can use printed photos and will return them to you in your painting's package.

Pricing -

Pricing depends on the size of canvas, and the number of horses or other elements.
Please see my current price list. If you desire a size that you don't see on my price list, please contact me using my Contact form and let me know what you have in mind and I will quote a price for you.

Payment -

A 50% deposit is required to reserve a spot in my schedule. I can accept: PayPal, Visa, and MasterCard for complete payment.

Shipping -

Once I receive final payment, your new portrait will be carefully packaged, insured, and shipped. Your final payment must include packing and shipping charges, which I will provide to you at that time. If any dimension of your painting is over 40" I will take the canvas off the stretcher bars and roll it for shipping. You will need to take the rolled canvas to your local framer for restretching.
 

Photo Tips for your Horse Portrait

Natural light works best. Get your horse out of the stable!
The best shots (and therefore some of the best paintings) are those taken outside in natural light during the daytime. It doesn't have to be sunny--cloudy skies work great too. To capture your horse accurately, do without the flash, if you can. Besides, you don't want to scare him to death, so make sure the flash is OFF. Black horses are best shot during overcast days.

Clear, well-lit, close-up shots of your horse are ideal.
Even though some artistic license will be taken on my part to capture your horse on canvas, I do work from exactly what I see in the photos. If I can't see it in the photo, it's going to be tough to capture your horse's physical attributes accurately. Clear photos that are in focus and taken in natural light work great. Be sure to set your camera for the highest resolution possible. I sometimes will use an even closer up view of your horse's eyes and muzzle to really capture them right, and I need a really hi-res photo to do this.

Unique perspectives make unique paintings
I highly recommend taking a number of different sorts of shots of your horse. If you can take his halter and/or bridle off, even better. Take close-ups of his head and neck. Stand back, and get shots from the front, including all of his head, body, and feet. Move around and try a bunch of different shots. Try taking shots that are not directly head-on. Move to the side a bit, and get his head turned slightly off to one side. Try to get him with his ears up nicely. Fix his mane how you want it.  The more angles the better. If your horse has a favorite treat, use that to get his attention. Try to stay a few feet in front of him and keep moving backwards as he comes towards you. Get his head up! Make little sounds to get his ears up and his focus on you.  The more shots you provide me with the better. Be sure that they are well-lit and in focus!

Early morning or early evening
The most flattering, warm light is in the early morning or late afternoon--it makes humans look great and it does the same for your animal. Overcast days work well, also

Let them have their romp
It is tough to take clear a photo of even the most camera friendly horse when they are feeling frisky and want to run around. So, go ahead and shoot them while they are acting crazy, you may get lucky and get a great shot, but then take a few photos after they have had their romp--or after they have their fill of dinner perhaps. Any time when they are more calm is the best time for a photo session. Let your horse be in his/her natural environment for the photo.

Take a ton!
The more photos you take, the better your chances of getting that one shot that will make a stellar portrait, and the more accurate idea I will have of what your horse truly looks like. So as long as you have already committed to a photo session, take a ton of photos. And send me everything you can: including some of the ones you think wouldn't make the the cut.

And remember, have fun! Your horse can feel your vibe, so be relaxed and enjoy the process, you will probably get better pictures this way.