Do You Need a Photo To Start My painting?

If you ordered a painting of a pet, person, or home, then the answer is: yes. I work from photos to ensure I capture the best likeness and am able to provide the best customer satisfaction.

If your questions aren't answered in the following FAQs, please email amydenealart@gmail.com or fill out the contact form on this website and we can provide your with more detailed answered.

How many Photos Should I provide?

Generally, several is better than one. But if one photo is all you have, I can work with that. If you have several, I will choose with your input the photo that will best serve as the main inspiration for the painting. However, sending additional photos can help me to better understand details that may not be evident in the main photo (i.e. close up photos of eyes, fur/hair, building color or other details).

Can I use a photo taken with a camera phone?

Yes. Most modern phones take great quality photos. Blurry photos can be difficult to paint from, as many details aren't evident.

Tips for taking the best photos:

1) Don't wait for the perfect pose. With digital cameras, taking more shots will give you a better chance of taking a great photo.

2) Natural light- especially with darker subjects (i.e. a black lab) is generally the best lighting for most photos (and will help avoid the glowing eyes). The best indoor images with natural lighting are generally taken when the subject is facing the window or to the side of the window with light coming through (standing no more than a few feet from the window). And the camera is between the window and the subject (without blocking the light) or towards the side. Don't take an image with the camera facing directly towards the window. The subject will be too difficult to see.

3) Avoid harsh lighting- by taking photos in the morning or evening or of the subject facing indirect light coming from a window, you can avoid a lot of harsh shadows. Try to avoid photos taken in direct, overhead sunlight.

4) Experiment with angle and distance. It's always a good idea to a take a few up close and a few from further away, as well as to play with different angles. 

​What if I don't have a good quality photo?

I understand that it's not always possible to get a great quality photo (i.e. in cases where a pet or individual has passed or trying to recreate a home that you lived in many years ago). In these cases, I will do my best to help recreate the memory for you. Keep in mind, this could impact the overall painting if I am unsure of more specific details (I.e. eye color, etc).

Why do I need to provide my contact info?

In the case of a custom photo, the artist needs to work closely with the person that has ordered the painting. This may require the artist to contact you regarding inquiries of colors (i.e. of eyes, home exterior, etc...) that may not be evident in photos. I will often send progress photos and allow you to request minor adjustments before the final painting is finished. It is important to do your best to respond as promptly as possible, so that they painting can be finished in a timely manner.

Will my painting look like my photo?

I always recommend to look at previous examples of my art to get an idea if my style matches what you are looking for. Art will always have some differences from a photo. I do my very best to capture the likeness and essence of the subject. If, when a photo of a subject is chosen, you choose to have something different (i.e. add leaves to trees, adjust hair in photo, etc...) some minor adjustments may be requested. These changes should be requested at the beginning of the painting process.

Why does my painting look different in person versus when I saw a photo of it?

As with all digital images, photo colors and quality can vary based on the screen it is being viewed on. When sending photos of the art, I do my best to capture good quality lighting and best capture the colors, but due to variations in screen settings, colors in person may vary somewhat.

How long will my painting take?

This answer varies widely based on several factors. These include 1) the detail and subject of the painting and 2) the amount of orders ahead of you, and 3) time taken for shipping (if shipping is required). For example, generally speaking, people take much longer than pets. If there is a detailed background, this will also add time to the final product. For most basic paintings of pets and homes, the turn around time (once the painting is started) is about 2-3 weeks. When your order is placed, I will reach out to you to let you know when the painting can be started. You can also reach out to me to request an estimate before your order is placed, but this could change by the time the final order is placed. When placing an order, please let me know if there is a "must have by" date, and I will let you know if this is possible. If it is not, a refund can be provided within a reasonable time of the order being placed.

Are refunds available?

Once an item is started, due to the custom nature of the items, I am unable to offer refunds. However, if the painting has not been started, a refund of 75% of the original cost is permitted. The remaining 25% is kept to cover supplies that have already been purchased for the piece. ** If an order has been placed and a refund is requested within 48 hours of placing the order, as long as the painting has not been started, a full refund can be considered by the artist. (This policy is to help protect customers that order an item but realize the tentative date of completion will not be satisfactory.)

Are there ways to pay without paying through your website?

Yes. If you prefer cash or check, please reach out to me, and I will provide you with the needed information.

Why do I need to pay for my painting before it's finished?

Paying for your painting ahead of time, allows me to hold your place in line. It also allows me to plan ahead and purchase the supplies needed for your painting. Unfortunately, paintings can't be started until payment is received. Please see refund policy for additional information.

1. Measure the wall or the piece of furniture you want to hang it over.

Measure both width and height of the wall you plan to hang your piece on. If you are hanging it over a piece of furniture, only measure the width of that and the height from the top of the furniture to the top of the wall.

1. Decide what size art you need (including frame)

• Art should be about ⅔-¾ the size of the wall you plan to hang it on or over the furniture you plan to hang it over.
• Multiply your measurement of the wall or furniture by .66 and .75 to figure out the size range that might work best for that area. For example. If the couch is 72 inches (or 6 feet) wide:
• 72 in x .66= 47.5 inches
• 96 in x .75= 54 inches
• So your art should take up a space between 47 and 54 inches wide.

1. Now you can also do the same with height. If you are measuring over a piece of furniture, only measure the space from the furniture to the ceiling. Otherwise, you can measure from floor to ceiling. Let’s pretend you are putting the wall over a couch, and the space between the top of the couch and the ceiling is 48 inches (4 feet)

• 48 in x .66= 31.6 inches
• 48 in x .75= 36  inches

So in this example you would want your art to be between 47 and 54 inches wide and 31 and 36 inches tall. 

• If hanging art on an empty/blank wall. Use the rule of three-eighths. 

This rule is named because the white space on the sides of the artwork, should be roughly equivalent ot 3/8ths of the width of the art. In this example, you would multiply the height and  width of your wall by 0.57. This will give you the ideal total size for the artwork (including the frame) that could be hung on your wall.

Gallery walls, ditychs or triptychs.

If you plan to hang multiple pieces on your wall, use the measurements you found above to plan the total area that these pieces should take up, including leaving room to allow 2-4 inches between the pieces. 

Frames:

When selecting the best size canvas to have a painting created on. Keep in mind future framing that could increase the size of your piece. Most standard frames will increase the size of the border by ½ inch to up to 2.5 or 3 inches. Since the frame will be on both sides (for width) and both sides for height. So when selecting your size canvas, keep in mind a framed canvas could increase the width/height by up to 1-6 inches. 

TIP:

Keep in mind, these are general guidelines, not hard fast rules! It can be ok to go against these guidelines in certain situations.

The best thing to do is to use painters tape on the wall to create the shape/size of the artwork you think will work best or even cut it out from wrapping paper or brown kraft paper to give you the best idea of what an artwork that size would look like in the space. 

The following tips are from Wayfair LLCs "Wall Art Size and Placement Guide".

When placing artwork, follow our tips below:

• The middle of the artwork should hang about 57" from the floor (or at eye level for most people). If it is hanging above a sofa, make sure there is at least 6" –12" between the top of the sofa and the piece of art.
• If you have low ceilings (below 8'), break your wall into four sections (from the bottom up) and hang it in the third section.
• If you are hanging multiple pieces of different heights, make sure the middles line up.
• When hanging artwork above your stairs, hang a piece every third step to get a diagonal look.
• Think about your room, if it is already cluttered or busy, opt for larger pieces to not overwhelm the room.

How To Hang And/Or Frame A Canvas:

A Stretched Canvas is a canvas that is stretched onto a (usually) wooden frame to make it tight and generally has a depth of about 3/4 inch-1.5 inch depending on canvas type vs. a canvas panel that is a flat piece of canvas usually affixed to a piece of wood or other hard surface for a much thinner piece of art. A panel is much thinner than a stretched canvas and can usually be framed in a traditional picture frame. A stretched canvas usually requires a special type of frame made for these canvases.

How to Hang A Traditional Canvas (A Few Options)

1. Hang it on a nail, hook, or even thumbtack (best for small canvases)
2. Attach a sawtooth bracket to the back of your canvas and then hang it on a nail or hook or similar
3. Purchase Command brand (or similar) canvas hangers for damage free hanging (use according to instructions from manufacturer)
4. Wire method: Canvas hanging wire can be purchased and secured with hooks to the back of the canvas. The wire can then be used to hang the canvas on a nail or hook

How to Frame A Traditional Canvas:

To achieve the most professional look, a frame is always recommended for your canvas. Professional framers can be found at frame shops and craft stores (local ones to Zionsville include Michaels, Hobby Lobby, or CV Art and Frame).

Or if you would like to frame it yourself, most standard size frames can easily be found for purchase from online or local craft/hobby stores.

Floating Frames:

“Floating” or “floater frames” (frames that appear to not touch the sides of the canvas. The canvas is inserted to the frame buy placing it down on the front of the frame and securing it from the back). These are a little more modern looking and generally more simple to frame. Double check the measurements of your canvas before ordering a frame to ensure the frame will fit. Most floater frames should come with supplies to secure the frame to the canvas. These can be found on online at art supplies stores or Amazon.com or in some craft/hobby stores.

Traditional frame:

This frame gives a more traditional look, and opposite of the floating/floater frame, the canvas is placed in the frame from the back. It is also secured from the back.

To frame in traditional frame, you will need to find an “open frame”/”open back frame” to purchase. Ensure the dimensions are correct. The canvas will be placed in the frame from behind. Measure how much depth of the canvas comes out from behind the frame and purchase “canvas offset hooks” in that size to use to secure the back of the canvas to the frame.

A Stretched Canvas is a canvas that is stretched onto a (usually) wooden frame to make it tight vs. a canvas panel that is a flat piece of canvas usually glued to a piece of wood or other hard item. A panel is much thinner than a stretched canvas and can usually be framed in a traditional picture frame. A stretched canvas usually requires a special type of frame made for these canvases.

• Panels (flat/thin canvases or similar) can be framed in most picture frames. I recommend buying a frame that has metal prongs that you bend over to secure the back of the frame (this allows a little more flexibility in fitting the panel into the frame) or that have sliding frame clips with flexibility. Other types of frames may also work, depending if the rebate (the part of the frame where a picture or painting, including the glass and backing, is placed) is deep enough.

• If the frame comes with cardboard (or similar packing materials) to help secure photos, these can be removed to make more room in the frame.

• Glass can be removed or kept in the frame for any acrylic or oil paintings (watercolor paintings should have glass to protect them from moisture).

• If a painting is framed with glass, use a mat border to keep the painting from pressing directly against the glass. If using a mat border, the frame will need to be bigger than the painting. For example, a 5x7 painting would usually need an 8x10 inch frame (depending on the size of the mat border). Use masking or painters tape on the back to secure the painting to the mat border.