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Real Estate Agents, contact me for special rates on framed pastels




A recent commission



Working from two separate photos, I combined them and added a background that compliments the client's home.

   

Let me work with you to create a composite of your beloved pets! 

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Capturing the character and essence of your home, garden, beloved pet, favorite location or cherished memory, is more than merely commissioning an artist to copy every detail of a photo.  It is a dynamic coalescing - a blending of the spirit and spark in an animal’s being, the unique lighting and character of a special location, with an artist’s creative interpretation.  My pastel art is rich in color and texture, and my painterly style lends itself to a finished work of art that has not only beauty for the moment, but can hold your interest over time.  I will make it my goal to create for you a work of art that will become a treasured possession, and a statement piece and conversation starter in your space, helping you to keep the cherished memories alive for years to come.  

�What to Expect

1. With our first contact, I will ask you some questions about your special critter, or location.  I would like to find out what makes your pet special to you, or what are the character and qualities of your home, garden, or landscape that you would like to see portrayed in the pastel painting.
2. I will gather from you a good assortment of your favorite photos.  I will ask you to look for certain things in each photo.  I might paint a composite of several photos, if one does not have all of the elements necessary to make the best painting.  If you live near me, I might be able to visit you or the location to take photos of my own.  At this point, after looking over the photos, I will determine if I will have adequate reference photos to proceed on with the commission.  I will want to feel confident that I can create for you the best possible portrayal of your requested subject.  
3. A good pet painting will have interesting lighting, it will also capture the animal in a pose or position that evokes emotion - it may be playfulness, loyalty, bravery - there are so many different ways that we see our pets.  You can help me to find the emotion that you would like to bring out.  I may use my artistic license to embellish lighting and color, and to fix or correct parts of a photo that might interfere with the best results.
4. Landscapes that become treasured pieces of art will not only have good compositional qualities, but will make the best of shadow and lighting.  Here again, I may require more that one photo to capture the most desirable portrayal of your favorite place. 
5. The end result will be a work of art, and not a copy of a photo.   It will be your beloved pet, your home, your garden, your memory... but through an artist’s eyes.
6. I will require 25% paid upfront, after I have seen the reference photos, but before I begin painting, with the balance paid upon delivery.  The balance includes sales tax where applicable, and any shipping or delivery costs.
7. Once I begin the painting process, I should have it done within a week to 21 days, depending on the size, materials I may need to order, and other factors.  I will call you as I go if I have any questions.  I might ask for your feedback on my progress if I need to clarify any portion of the painting.

Options and pricing - unframed, and according to size

(The following are unframed prices.  I am willing to frame the painting for you at an additional cost that will be determined in large part on what type of framing you choose.  I will mediate the process of having it framed in my local area.  Keep in mind that shipping costs will be much more for a framed pastel.  It might be better for you to purchase it unframed, and frame it in your location, if shipping is involved. Ask about more framing details if you are interested.)

A simple Pet Portrait background
Often a pet pastel painting is one that has a simple background.  It is like a portrait background, with only beautiful, textural colors applied.  I can make every effort to choose colors that will blend well with your inside decor, keeping in mind what will also look best next to your animal.  It might look something like this:

   


Pet Portraits
Size.......Simple to Complex backgrounds
8x10............$295-425                
9x12............$350-500
12x16..........$595-800                   
16x20..........$995-1250                  
18x24.........$1195-1495
The sizes listed above are standard sizes which may make framing easier.   There are other sizes possible upon request.

Here are some examples of complex backgrounds, of varying complexity:
(Complex backgrounds will require an additional charge, in most cases somewhere in the range listed above, depending on the degree of complexity. Ask for a quote, for very intensely detailed backgrounds)

       
                                                


Landscapes, Cityscapes, Homes and Gardens









visit my gallery page to see other examples


Landscapes, Cityscapes, Homes and Gardens Unframed Prices* (Price depends on the complexity of the image)
Size
8x10............$295-425 
9x12............$350-500
12x16..........$595-800                
16x20..........$995-1250            
18x24.........$1195-1495
*Real estate agents, contact me for special rates on framed pastels of your client's home or property.  Let's work together to give your client a cherished memory!


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Unframed vs. Framed
The prices above reflect unframed pastel paintings.  I like to sell unframed because choosing a frame is so personal to your decorating tastes, and to ship a framed pastel is so much more costly.  The unframed pastel will come carefully packaged in a foam core folder, which will minimize any chances of damage until you take it to a framer.  It is recommended that, unless you are skilled at framing pastels,  you have it professionally framed.  I am, however, happy to mediate the framing process for you, if you don't want to do it yourself, and will add the additional cost of the frame and processing onto the total.  I will use a local framer in my area, and will calculate the shipping costs ahead of time to give you a quote.  If you live near me, in the Winchester, VA area, we can arrange for me to deliver it to you.  

Are Pastels Super Fragile?
The answer to that question is, No!  Once a pastel painting is properly framed, it is very sturdy and archival, and with the type of care that you would give to any fine piece of art, it will last for years.  The medium of soft pastel is pure pigment, the kind used for other media like oils or acrylics, but without any additives that can cause it to crack or fade over time. It only has a small amount of binder to hold the sticks together.  Pastels, when painted on archival paper, are even more vibrant, colorfast and archival than these other art mediums.  You can enjoy your pastel painting for years to come. 

Payment:
1.  A 25%, non-refundable deposit is required, after I see the reference photos, and before I begin the painting process.  The balance, taxes and shipping are due before the painting is shipped, or at delivery, if I deliver it locally.
2.  I can take most credit cards using Square, or you can do a Zelle transfer to my account.  I can accept bank checks, but not personal checks.  There will be a brief waiting period before delivery of the painting if paid by bank check.

Purchase a Video of the Painting Process:
How about virtually sitting right along with me as I paint!  I will record the painting process, and create a one-of-a-kind video for you.  

I have been a YouTube content creator for the past 2 years, and have many videos you can watch to see my work on Pastel Tapas, my YouTube channel.  Bear in mind that the earlier videos are not my up-to-date skills.  I keep learning more and more all the time.  Visit my channel here: YouTube.com/@DebbieHardingPastelTapas
Video Pricing:
10-14min........$275
15-20min........$350

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