Professional Colored Pencil Portraits of Your Pet
Are you ready to have me create a bespoke portrait of your beloved pet? The process is very easy, and I will be there to assist you each step of the way.
1. INQUIRE
It all begins with filling out my inquiry form. Please tell me your ideas and let me know what your “vision” is for your portrait. Feel free to ask as many questions as you like. Most importantly, tell me your concerns, so that I can address them right away.
2. PLAN
Once I receive your inquiry, I’ll contact you so we can discuss your drawing. We’ll talk about what size will suit your needs best, what extra features you desire, and all the specifics I’ll need. Then, I’ll ask you to send me your reference photos. Again, we’ll work together to assure that I have the best possible photo. When we’ve finalized the details, I’ll email you an official quote, along with the invoice for your booking fee, which guarantees your slot in my commission books. Booking fees are 35% of the final portrait cost.
3. DRAW
Now it’s time for me to go to work!! I’m happy to provide progress updates, if you desire. Just remember ~ all drawings go through some very ugly stages (it’s just part of the normal process) and any update photos taken during this stage are… well… UGLY, and won’t reflect what your finished piece will look like.
4. DELIVER
When I’ve finished your portrait, I’ll contact you to let you know, and I’ll include the invoice for the balance. Once payment is received in full, I’ll ship your portrait. Rest assured, it will be securely packaged and will include tracking information. All my work is shipped with a simple museum white matt, so you can frame it as is, or have it custom framed with your your choice of matt color.
NOT QUITE READY FOR A COMMISSION YET?
You’re still welcome in my creative circle. Join my Patreon community for monthly coloring pages, behind-the-scenes studio moments, and a gentle touch of Art, Animals & Spirit.
TIPS to assure that your portrait is the best it can be:
- Provide the best reference photo. Please click on the button below for a for a handy guide to how to select just the “right” photo for your portrait.
- While I’m happy to work with you to plan a color palette that will coordinate with the colors of your home décor, it is often best to let the colors of the subject dictate the final matting and framing colors.
- I use only the finest materials, with the highest lightfast ratings to prevent your portrait from fading. However, please remember that direct sunlight is very harmful to artwork. Be sure to only display your special piece where it will not be in direct sunlight. Have it custom framed with archival materials and protected under museum glass. Yes, this IS more costly, but it will keep your portrait looking as vibrant as the day I finished it for your lifetime, as well as for your children’s life.
Tammy’s tips for great reference photos
TESTIMONIALS
Full disclosure: I have known Tammy since high school, but she was a few years behind me and I really didn’t realize her artistic capabilities until quite recently. When she shared a finished portrait of her mare Sunnie on Facebook, I was stunned. It looked so … real. Like you could reach out and stroke her face. I kept watching her Facebook page to see what would pop up next. One of her portraits, a commissioned work of a German shepherd, was equally stunning — and sparked the idea to approach Tammy with a request for a Christmas gift for my then-81-year-old mom.
Mom has a little dog named Koki — a rescued terrier mix that she and my dad adopted at 3 years of age. As lifelong “dog people,” they brought her home a week after the heartbreak of losing their previous rescue dog, age 15, who had been with them since puppyhood. Koki helped them heal, bringing light and laughter back to their home. She has been a beloved companion through Dad’s battle with a rare blood cancer (which he succumbed to in 2021) and through Mom’s bout with lymphoma two years ago. (I sometimes think the main reason Mom pulled through was because she knew Koki was depending on her to return from the hospital.)
So, back to the proposed project: Would Tammy be willing to take on a portrait of Koki? I discussed it with her at length over Messenger, sending a variety of photos so she could get an idea of the scope of work involved. We both settled on the perfect photo. That was in October 2024, I believe. Tammy wasn’t certain she could deliver by Christmas, as she currently had a couple of commissions in the works, but said she would do her best.
As it turned out, Tammy was able to ship the finished piece to me so that I could wrap it and get it under the Christmas tree just in the nick of time! Upon opening it, Mom was stunned. “When did you take this picture?” she asked. When I responded with “That’s not a picture, Mom; it’s a drawing,” she was gobsmacked. Absolutely shocked. It was just that good. Tammy had expertly captured the essence of Koki — from the scraggy salt-and-pepper fur to the mischief still apparent in her 17-year-old eyes. I do believe it was one of the best-ever gifts we’ve given my mom, and it resides in a place of honor on her wall. Friends who have come over always comment on it, and oftentimes those who have animals have asked if they can get in touch with Tammy to talk about immortalizing their fur babies.
Just looking at the works she has created over the past couple of years will tell you everything you need to know about her incredible artistic ability, her love of animals, and her commitment to perfection. If you have doubts, don’t. She’s the real deal.
— Kim Antoniou, Arizona