The Stages of a Custom Portrait in Pencil | One-of-a-Kind Drawings of Pets, People, Airplanes, Buidlings

Main Portraits Page | Custom Pencil Drawings | Custom Pen and Ink Drawings | The Stages of a Montage Drawing

The Stages of a Custom Pencil Portrait

If you order a montage pencil portrait (one with several images put together, in a layered approach), I ask that you supply as many quality photos of different angles as possible. This will allow me to create the best possible portrait for you. Once I have the photos, I begin with sketches of the subjects.

Beginning the montage portrait - exploring different layouts:

The sketches above are examples of what a portrait customer receives prior to my beginning a montage drawing. When you request such a special piece of artwork from me, I take the photos you supply and come up with 2-3 layouts that I think will work well as a pencil drawing. These layouts are then sent to you as email attachments so that you can pick your favorite. I then begin the final rendering work, samples of which follow:

Rendering the final pencil portrait:

The samples above illustrate the typical progress of my custom pet portraits. I start with the line sketch that my customer has chosen and then transfer that to the final drawing paper - high quality, acid-free, Strathmore 500 paper. I then work for the most part from upper left to lower right, rending the lighter/background images first. After the entire drawing is mostly complete, I set it aside for a day or two so that my eyes and mind have a break before applying the finishing touches.

Many people ask “How do you keep from smudging the pencil?” I have learned over the years that great care needs to be taken to protect the drawing from smudges. This includes covering the piece anytime I am not actively working on it. I also wash my hands and arms frequently, to remove surface skin oils so that they don not taint the paper. In addition, I keep an acid free sheet of paper covering any area of the drawing I am not working, and especially under my right (rendering) arm. Acid/oils from the skin can ruin a drawing in no time at all!

How to Order a Custom Pet Portrait by Kelli Swan:

An original Custom Pet Portrait in Pencil makes a perfect gift! I create one-of-a-kind works of art using your photos as reference material. These original black and white illustrations make great family gifts, corporate gifts and memorial tributes ... or even a special gift to yourself! I specialize in pet portraits, though you will see from the samples below that I also offer architectural and family drawings. Feel free to contact me any time for additional information. See below for submission instructions.

Prices for Custom Portrait Drawings

8" x 10" Pencil Portrait = $250*
8.5" x 11" Pencil Portrait = $300*
11" x 14" Pencil Portrait = $550*
14" x 17" Pencil Portrait = $800*

- Mounting on foam core & double matting are included
- S&H is additional (Free s&h with full payment on order placement.)
- Terms and submission information follow the sample images below

*Special Bonus! Each custom drawing ships with a CD containing an electronic image of the portrait. Limited copyrights convey to the purchaser so that you may have reproductions made for personal use. Such uses may include having note cards printed and imprinted gifts such as coffee mugs and t-shirts.

Sample Pet Portraits in Pencil (click to view larger images):

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Terms:

- A 50% deposit is required with order. The balance of 50% is due upon delivery.
- Shipping is included if the order is pre-paid in full.
- Payments may be made in the form of check, money order, credit card or paypal.

Turnaround:

- Turnaround time is generally about 3 weeks.
- If a tighter deadline is required, please email or call in advance.

Arizona Sales Tax:

- Arizona residents please add 7.35% sales tax

Submission Instructions:

I work from photographs. It is best if you can supply at least several quality photos of your subject. Photos should be sharp and show the subject(s) with reasonable clarity.

Note: Please do not send pictures via email, as actual photographs are preferred. (Emailed images take time to download, sort & printout. I can accept them if necessary, though there is an extra $50 charge for the time/materials involved.)

NOTE: Photos must contain enough detail to be used as reference. Some photos taken with camera phones are low resolution and will not be useable as reference material.