HOW DO I COMMISSION A PORTRAIT?
First contact me to arrange a date for your portrait to begin. A month’s notice would be ideal, preferably 6-8 weeks in the run-up to Christmas. I accept commissions from anywhere in the world.
Photographs must arrive at least a week before the portrait is due to begin or else the start date may need to be arranged. Two weeks notice is required should you need to change the start date for your portrait.
To confirm the booking I will then need a 50% deposit within 14 days. Deposits can be paid via PayPal or by cheque. Full payment is required before your portrait is dispatched.
Deposits are held for up to 6 months. If after this time, through no fault of the artist, a commission is not completed then the portrait will be cancelled and the deposit will not be refunded.
HOW LONG DOES A PORTRAIT TAKE?
A single pencil portrait takes between 15 to 20 hours over two weeks. Portraits in other media such as oils may take longer and timings will be discussed at the time of booking.
PORTRAIT PRICES
Prices are for head and shoulder pencil portraits. Please contact me to discuss a price for a full-body portrait, a portrait with a detailed background, more than 3 subjects or portraits in other media.
WHAT PHOTOGRAPHS DO I NEED TO SEND?
A good, clear head and shoulder shot is ideal (colour or black & white). It doesn’t need to be a formal studio portrait, snap shots are fine and being more spontaneous can often convey character better. The important things are that it is crisp and in focus, that the subject is at least 2″ high and there are reflections in the eyes. I can work either from hard-copies or from a high-res JPEG.
The better the photograph and the more detail it shows, the better the end result will be.
Separate photographs can be combined if you require multiple subjects in a single drawing.
WHAT SIZE SHOULD MY PORTRAIT BE?
Generally A4 size is appropriate for a single subject and A3 if you want two or more subjects on a single sheet. A5 is available for baby portraits. I can also produce tiny miniatures to fit lockets or other frames.
Prices are for head & shoulder portraits. If you require backgrounds or full-body then this will incur a higher cost.
Portrait Sizes:
A5 – 14.8 x 21 cm / 6 x 8 inches
A4 – 21 x 29.7 cm / 8 x 12 inches
A3 – 29.7 x 42 cm/ 12 x 17 inches
WHAT PAPER DO YOU USE?
Pencil portraits are drawn on a heavy-weight smooth extra strong cartridge paper. The paper is acid-free and both internally and surface sized.
Miniatures can be painted on a variety of surfaces depending on personal taste and whether the portrait is in pencil, watercolour or oils.
As well as paper-based surfaces, I use Polymin, the modern replacement for traditional ivory and a stable, chemically resistant, translucent plastic. It has been colour matched to antique ivory.
On special request, we can source genuine 10,000 year-old mammoth ivory reclaimed from the Russian permafrost. It resembles elephant ivory in every way, but with none of the legal or ethical issues. Under no circumstances will I work on genuine elephant ivory.
WHAT ABOUT FRAMES?
Normally people prefer to choose their own frames and mounts to fit with their home so I don’t supply these, but if necessary this can be discussed separately and I will do my best to help.
For miniatures, you can supply your own frame or locket, or I can source one for you – either new or antique and in a variety of metals. If you require an antique frame or locket, you will need to give extra notice so that I can source one for you.
HELP! I NEED A PORTRAIT AT SHORT NOTICE.
Contact me and depending on existing bookings I will always try to accommodate you.
If you would like to commission a new-born baby portrait, perhaps to use in birth-announcement cards, if you give me an idea of the due date then I can plan a flexible time-slot to fit in with the actual birth date.
HOW WILL MY PORTRAIT ARRIVE?
All portraits will be sent by Royal Mail Special Deliverywithin the UK and will arrive before 1pm the next day. International orders will be sent by Royal Mail International Signed & Tracked (allow 5-7 days).
A4 & A5 portraits will be sent flat in a reinforced cardboard envelope, A3 will be sent rolled in a cardboard tube. Miniatures will be sent boxed.
You will be provided with tracking numbers following dispatch.
CAN I SEE THE PORTRAIT BEFORE IT ARRIVES?
Once the portrait is complete, I will email a proof for your approval before balance payment and dispatch.
Helen Mayer Art & Illustration 