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Cats, Dogs , Animals and Landscapes in Oils or Watercolour by Isabel Clark - English Artist
TAKING YOUR PHOTOGRAPH
For that Special Painting
The quality of the photograph you send is of the utmost importance.
To enable me to recreate your pet’s individual character I MUST be able to see their details. The nostrils, lips etc. must be large enough and clear enough to see. Remember, you know your pet’s face by heart but I have to rely solely upon the photograph you send to get their unique characteristics.
If your pet has sadly passed away and you have no clear photo, please select the largest and clearest photo you can find and I will do my utmost. Please realise however, that this will not always be possible as I must be able to see some details.
Try to take the photo out of doors with the light shining on the front of the pet. Brilliant sunshine or Flash is not always best as the features and coat colours can be flooded out. Similarly, if a dark pet is photographed in shade, it is sometimes very difficult to distinguish between where the animal ends and the background begins. It is also very difficult to see how the ears lie against the head. Every pet is different. I have painted many black Labradors but all of them have their own little features so none are alike.
With light coloured pets, again bright sunshine can flood out the texture of the coat and make it impossible to see the actual hair or fur. Just take the picture in normal daylight. In mid summer the morning or evening would give a less harsh light.
Try to have a plain background for your pet’s photo, such as a fence, plain hedge, lawn or wall. If you have a light coloured pet try to take the photo against a darker tone background. If you have a dark coloured pet try to take the photo against a lighter background. This will prevent the details of your pet’s form being lost in the background.
GET DOWN ON YOUR PET’S LEVEL. I have had some lovely photos which, unfortunately look down onto the pet from above which does not make the best pose for a portrait.
Get as close to your pet as you can but make sure you stay in focus. If you would like a Head Study, try to zoom in on the head only. This will give the clearest details.
If you require a Full Body Study, try to fill the entire photo with the pet’s body. Unless you wish me to paint the whole scene the background is not necessary. If you do wish me to paint the whole scene, please take another photo of just your pet, in the same position but as close to your pet as possible so that I can still see all the necessary details.
Some pets will not stay still for a photo. If this is the case, just ask someone to stand behind him/her to hold their collar. If they try to hold the collar from behind their hand should not get in the way and, of course, this person would be painted out unless you requested otherwise.
If you have 2 separate photos of your pets which you want combined in one painting, this can be done. Just try to ensure that the pets are not both facing the same side. This would not be so satisfying visually. This also applies if you require 2 different paintings of pets which you wish to hang together on your wall. It looks much nicer if the pets can be just slightly turned towards each other.
Finally, if your pet has a long tail and the tail is lying outstretched sideways, the painted image will have to be much smaller to accommodate it. If you wish the body of your pet to fill more of the painting, please ensure your pet’s tail is either curled around the body or the pet’s body is facing more or less to the front, not sideways with the tail straight out behind him.
I hope the above hints will help you and I achieve what we both want - a beautiful painting of your pet, showing their unique character which you know and love.
by
Pet Portraits of Dogs, Cats & Animals in oils on canvas or watercolours
by Isabel Clark Paintings Make Very Special Gifts or Cards
Contact Name and Address:-
Isabel Clark - Proprietor, 24 Goodman Way, Tile Hill Village, Coventry CV4 9UF England - Tel: 024 76462885
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Have you ever been bored by the usual Greeting cards? Then click on the following link and order a unique one created by Isabel Clark Bespoke Greeting Cards, stationery & Prints are also available on the above website |
| Paintings of Horses and Ponies | Paintings of People | Pencil Study Portraits |
| Frequently Asked Questions | The Artist's Pets | GIFT VOUCHERS |
I just need a CLEAR photo of your pet dogs, cats, ponies, horses, birds or any other pet animals, persons or places,
to create a unique and special gift.
If you do not have any clear, close up photos of your pet, take some NOW.
If your pet has sadly died and it is too late to take any clear photos I will willingly look at your photo and let you know if it is clear enough. I love my pet portrait work, but one of the saddest aspects is where an old pet has died and the owner has no clear photo to remember their friend by, or, indeed, to create a pet portrait memorial to their lost one. So take those pictures now, even if you do not yet decide on a painting of your pet.
The happiest aspect of my work is when my client has received their pet portrait and telephone or write to let me know how delighted they are in spite of the tears over their lost friend. I have so many lovely letters telling me how the portrait of their pet is now taking pride of place in their home, and how they feel their pet's spirit is still with them whenever they gaze at the painting. So do not hesitate. Order your pet portrait painting today. You will be so glad you did.
Children or any person or pet can be painted into the scene, even if they were not in that particular photo. Many things are possible. If you have a special request, just ask. If it is possible it can be done.
So, if you have no CLEAR photos, get clicking and send your favourite photo to me for that dog painting, cat painting, animal painting, or landscape painting. You will be delighted with the result.
Pet dogs, cats, animals or any child or adult can be painted into the scene, even if they were not in that particular photo. Many things are possible. If you have a special request, just ask. If it is possible it can be done.
We should all value our historical houses be they palaces, farmhouses or cottages, they are our links to our past, but sadly, many are being allowed to deteriorate beyond any repair. It would be a poorer world with no physical reminders of our ancestors presence. Whenever, I get the opportunity I am out painting and capturing little corners of this England onto canvas or watercolour paper.
We should have much tougher laws against the pollution of our rivers and fields, and stricter laws to protect pressured animals and green spaces.
Imagine a world with only one creature, the human being. What a dreadful place that would be. We must all do our best to alleviate some of the harm man has done to this world and its animal inhabitants. One way is to enforce planning controls for new human dwellings, office blocks and factories that are sympathetic to the natural environment.
The welfare of this Earth's wild creatures is something I feel very passionately about. We have done so much harm to these fellow residents of our planet, who, of course, have as much right to exist as humanity. Wild animals, including the smallest insect have no less right to live out their natural lifespan as ourselves.
We should not attempt to turn all their wild habitats into pretty parks for just our enjoyment. Nature is wild and beautiful in its wildness. Wild animals need to be wild and free and people can find enjoyment in this too.
We cannot turn this, still beautiful, Earth into a controlled, barren environment for the convenience of just one of this world's creatures, ourselves. We can help these animals in many ways, such as not mowing every piece of wild meadow near our towns. No voles, hawks or butterflies can exist on a lawn. These animals need the shelter of tall grasses to hide in and to feed from. Where there are no hiding places, there are no wild creatures. Where the grass is mown no wild flowers can flourish. However, with a little goodwill on our part it is amazing how quickly Mother Nature heals her wounds.
Remember the warm days of summer as, during the cold days of winter, you gaze at your painting of your sunny garden and home.
If you want a really unusual and special gift for a pet or animal lover for Christmas, Birthdays, Thanksgiving, Easter, Anniversaries, Retirements, Presentations or any other celebration, a portrait of a beloved pet is always a unique and very welcome gift. Whether it is a dog painting, cat painting, horse painting, wild animal painting, bird painting, child or adult human painting or a painting of someone's home and garden, it will bring delight and surprise to the recipient.
Pet Portraits of Dogs, Cats, Animals, Wildlife, People, Landscape Paintings & Greeting Cards created from Your Own Photos
Death is the liberator of him whom freedom cannot release,
the physician of him whom medicine cannot cure,
and the comforter of him whom time cannot console.
- Charles Caleb Colton -
All images on this website are the copyright of Isabel Clark BA (Honours) Fine Art - All Rights Reserved