Booking a Custom Artwork
with Australian fantasy artist Lauren Kelly Small
What you need to know before you book your portrait.
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Every artwork begins with a blank piece of paper using lots of drawing, painting and a large number of stock photo references that I have either photographed myself or which are made available to artists for unrestricted use with the permission of the photographers.
Photo manipulation work is based on a good quality reference photo, to which digital paint is added. This type of illustration is more photo realistic and can be highly detailed and colourful. It can take less time than drawing on paper or painting a canvas as mistakes can be erased quickly and changes to the composition are more flexible.
Drawing style illustrations are started from scratch with a sketch and are worked in graphite or coloured pencils, inks and watercolor. This type of illustration is softer, often has subtle colors and can take over 100 hours to complete a detailed illustration. Revisions are not always possible so your approval of an initial sketch is required.
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Most commissioned work takes between 10-16 weeks to complete, depending on number of bookings and the degree of complexity in the desired artwork. Art is not my full time job so at times I may be kept very busy with my other part time jobs and running my fabric design business. For this reason, the opportunity to book custom artwork may be available only within a short window. I close custom art bookings before the busy holiday season, starting Sept 1st.
PRICING AND PAYMENT
Estimated prices are available for each of the mediums I work in. Click 'Commissions' to view my price lists.
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Prices are in AUD (Australian dollars) unless otherwise stated.
Please contact me to discuss your project and I can give you a more accurate estimate depending on the type of artwork you would like me to create for you.
Paypal is my preferred payment option, however, if you are an Australian resident, payment by bank deposit may be arranged. Please contact me to discuss payment options.
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A deposit of 50% is required before the work is begun. Remainder may be paid in installments depending on the time frame in which the work is to be completed. You will find a number of deposit options available in my Etsy shop if you would like to confirm your booking immediately.
Full payment is required before the delivery of finalised artwork.
Artwork is delivered via Dropbox link or email attachment for digital files.
Traditional artwork on paper or canvas is shipped via Registered International Australia Post parcel service (includes tracking).
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What does this price include?
For digital illustrations, you receive a digital .png or .jpg copy of the completed artwork. This will be emailed to you after final payment is received.
For traditional mediums such as pencil & watercolour, the finished original artwork is shipped to your address, insured & requiring a signature on delivery. Cost of this is included in the basic price.
Elaborate artworks, such as those containing a number of subjects or full length portraits will be priced accordingly. Eg. Two subjects or a full body length illustration: add $200 to the basic price; Three or more subjects: add $150 per subject to the basic price.
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Please contact me so we can discuss your ideas and negotiate an accurate price
Prices include one revision. Additional revisions are priced at $40 each (eg. changing the color of a cloak or adding a new set of fairy wings)
When contacting me for a price estimate please include as much information as possible about the type of artwork you would like, the number of subjects and important details or visual requirements.
Reference Photos
To achieve a photorealistic likeness in the finished artwork I require high resolution digital photographs to use as references or as a base to build the artwork on.
High resolution = 300dpi +, or a sharp, focused digital photo at least 3000 pixels wide or tall.
For drawing style portraits you can send smaller photos or scanned copies of printed photos, though large digital files are best.
You can see examples of some great reference photos here and see how they are put into use in these illustrations
For detailed info about the reference photos I will need in order to create the project you have in mind, please contact me.
