Frequently asked questions

The look of the portrait depends heavily on the reference photos you send, as it’s the only way for me to understand the layout, color palette, and overall look of the scene you want me to paint for you.

Here are a few tips of what to look out for when choosing reference photos.

❌ TOP THINGS TO AVOID

• Backlit photos where the entire façade is in shadow

• Low quality or grainy / blurry photos where some or all of the details are not clear

• An abundance of small details throughout the photo results in a busy-looking overdone painting (especially for small-sized paintings)

• Photos with no shadows. Such photos lack contrast and result in a gray and gloomy look in the end

• Photos taken on cloudy, overcast days

✔️ TOP THINGS THAT MAKE YOUR PORTRAIT BETTER

• High-quality clear photos that show all the details clearly

• Photos taken in daylight on a nice sunny day

• Photos with long, well-defined shadows.

In most cases I can combine multiple photos into one painting, if your reference photos to be combined meet the following criteria:

• they can be combined into a collage, like two puzzle pieces. In other words, you can cut the object / area from one photo EXACTLY AS SHOWN IN THE PHOTO and paste it into the other photo resulting in a cohesive scene.

✔️ TYPICAL REQUESTS I CAN ACCOMMODATE

FOR WEDDING VENUES / HOUSE PORTRAITS

• Adding people pets into the portrait (reference photos need to show them exactly as you want them in the painting).

• Adding foliage, flowers, landscape elements,

• Combining two photos of the same view (like two puzzle pieces) that you couldn't fit in one photo because of landscape obstructions (there is a fence hedges trees that don't allow you to go far enough back to fit it in one photo).

FOR PEOPLE / PET PORTRAITS

• Combining photos of the same person pet to show them in a different pose (ONLY if your reference photos can literally be connected as puzzle pieces and still look natural). PLEASE NOTE: I cannot combine different elements of the same face.

❌ REQUESTS I CANNOT ACCOMMODATE

Photos from different viewpoints (for example, different sides of the house/venue, venue house photos taken straight ahead with photos of pets taken from above).

Reference Photo Upload

E-mail (same as in the order you placed)

IMPORTANT:

If you would like me to:
- combine multiple photos into one,
- paint something differently than it is shown in the photos (or not shown at all)

please make sure to run the photos by me first before placing an order. You can use the Chat button in the lower part of the screen and attach the photos there, or e-mail me the photos describing what you'd like changed / added.

Before uploading the photo(s), please:
- crop the photo(s) to your liking
- take a moment to review all the details in the photo(s) you provide and check if you would like me to make any changes to:

• the layout,

• page orientation,

• colors,

• positioning, proportion, and sizes of elements.

Unless you notify me otherwise, I will aim to match the layout, sizes/proportions, and positioning of elements EXACTLY the way they are shown in the photo.

There are limited changes I can make after the sketch is completed, and very few things can be changed after the custom painting is completed.

REFERENCE PHOTOS:

Upload up to 3 reference photos for each portrait in your order.

Alternatively, you can email me the reference photos. If you choose to email me the photos, and an attachment size prompt comes up when you hit Send, please select Actual Size, or if not available, the biggest available size offered, so it does not impact picture quality.

Description / Comments (if applicable)

You don’t need to upload and submit your photos multiple times. Once you hit SUBMIT, I’ll receive them—no worries! If there are any issues with the images or if I don’t receive them, I’ll follow up with you via email.

Frequently asked questions

What kind of reference photos work best for a custom watercolor painting?

Can you combine multiple photos into one portrait?

Reference Photo Upload

If you arrived at this screen from the checkout window: Once you’ve finished uploading your photos, you can close this tab and return to checkout.

Have questions? Send me a message!