Here are my two "graduates" that were here for training for six weeks.  The black mare's an Icelandic Horse and the chesnut is a mule.  Both were wonderful and I enjoyed my time with them thoroughly.

HOW TO PERSONALIZE A COMMISSIONED PORTRAIT


Here is a perfect example of how to personalize your commissioned painting.  My clients wanted portraits of both dogs and weren't sure what they wanted for a background.  I suggested their yard or a favorite play spot.  They take their dogs to a specific park for a daily run so I took photos of their dogs at their home and at the park.  When discussing the park photos with my clients, I learned the pond, red barn and dogwoods were important to them.  I took a bit of artistic license and composed the painting so that all of these were incorporated into the background with the dogs.  Although when I took my reference photos it was an overcast and rainy February day,  I knew the client wanted more of a spring-like painting so I added the daffodils, dogwood trees in bloom along with a sunny day.

 
CHARCOAL COMMISSION OF "CABOT" ,  A.K.A. "CABS

For those of you not entirely familiar with my artwork, I also draw charcoal portraits.    I just finished this head portrait of "Cabs", who is a very handsome appaloosa.  Oh, those spots!  Every one of them has it's own place.

His owner, Nancy, tells me before she aquired him he had flunked out of "coon huntin' school" in Arkansas.  (I can't stop giggling as I write this).  I wonder what's required with the graduate program.   He's older now and has been a reliable "steady Eddie" trail horse for Nancy for years.  With increased bouts of colic and old age creeping in, Nancy was smart to call me when she did.

That's something for potential clients to always think about.  Get those photographs and the artist out there before it's too late!  People assume they have good reference photos when the don't.  Frequently, the portriat's quality will improve with better photos taken by the artist.  I have even had to turn people down because the quality of their photos was so poor.