These are the questions I’m asked most often, answered the same way I’d answer them by email. If yours isn’t here, just ask, and I’ll reply personally.
Prices and Sizes
How much does a pencil portrait cost?
A portrait of one person is £89 at 8″ × 12″ (approximately A4) or £109 at 12″ × 16″ (approximately A3). One animal is £99 or £119 at the same sizes. Animals cost £10 more because fur takes longer to draw than skin and hair. The full price tables, including extra subjects and optional extras, are on my sizes and prices page.
What sizes do you draw?
Two standard sizes: 8″ × 12″ (approximately A4) and 12″ × 16″ (approximately A3), in portrait or landscape orientation. Squares are available at the same prices, 10″ × 10″ and 14″ × 14″. I usually suggest the orientation and shape once I’ve seen your photograph, because some compositions simply sit better one way than another. In-between sizes are priced at the next size up.
How much is it to add extra people or pets?
Each additional subject adds £20. I cap people and animals at four subjects at 8″ × 12″ (people can go to six at 12″ × 16″), because every added face makes all the faces smaller, which leaves less room for the blending and fine detail a good likeness needs. Vehicles aren’t capped; they’re less sensitive to that.
How do you price a drawing of people together with a pet?
Any drawing that includes an animal is priced at the animal rate for the total number of subjects. So one person with one dog is two subjects at the animal rate: £119 at 8″ × 12″. Two people with one dog would be £139. It keeps the pricing simple, and every animal is priced the same way, whether it’s a hamster or a horse.
Why do drawings of buildings cost more?
Because I draw the entire picture, background and all. People, animals and vehicles are normally drawn against white, but a building or landscape only makes sense in its setting, and that makes them the most detailed and time-consuming drawings I take on. They’re £109 at 8″ × 12″ or £129 at 12″ × 16″. Vehicles, by contrast, are priced the same as people.
Ordering and Payment
How does commissioning a portrait work?
You send me your photograph and preferred size. I’ll look at the photo, advise on composition, orientation and size, and confirm the price. If you’re happy, I email an invoice for a 50% deposit, and your commission is booked as soon as it’s paid. When the drawing is finished I email you a sample scan, and once you’ve approved it I invoice the balance. Your portrait is posted as soon as that’s received.
How long will my portrait take?
My usual turnaround is within four weeks of receiving the deposit, and often sooner. If you have a date in mind, tell me when you enquire and I’ll let you know honestly whether it’s achievable.
Can you draw my portrait in time for my deadline?
Usually, yes. Mention the date when you enquire and I’ll confirm whether it works before you commit to anything. If time is tight, I also offer a Priority Service for £20, which usually reduces the turnaround to around a week, subject to availability, so please ask about it when you get in touch. December is my busiest month by some distance, so for Christmas the earlier the better.
How and when do I pay?
A 50% deposit books your commission, and the balance is only invoiced after you’ve seen and approved a scan of the finished drawing. I take payment by PayPal or bank transfer. For international customers I can quote in your local currency, or PayPal converts it automatically.
What happens if I want something changed when I see the sample scan?
That’s exactly what the sample scan stage is for. When the drawing is finished I email you a scan, and the balance isn’t invoiced until you’ve told me you’re happy. If something doesn’t look quite right to you, just let me know and we’ll talk it through.
Photographs
Is my photograph good enough to draw from?
Please don’t worry about it being a professional photo; most of the portraits I draw come from ordinary phone snaps. What matters is detail, not polish: I need to be able to see the features clearly. Send me what you have and I’ll tell you honestly whether it will work, and if it won’t, I’ll say so and ask if you have another, rather than drawing from a photo that would let the portrait down.
Do I need to send you the original photograph?
No. In most cases, a good-quality digital photograph is all I need, so you can simply email it to me. If you only have an old printed photograph, send me a clear photo or scan of it first and I’ll let you know whether I can work from it.
Can you combine people or pets from different photographs?
Yes, quite often. Combining subjects from more than one photograph adds £20, and it depends on the photographs suiting each other, in lighting and angle mainly, so send them over and I’ll advise. It’s a lovely way to bring together people or pets who were never photographed together.
Can you leave something out of the photograph or change the background?
Yes, quite often. A portrait doesn’t have to reproduce the photograph exactly as it is: people, animals and vehicles are normally drawn against a clean white background whatever was behind them in the photo, and I can often leave out distractions or make small changes to the composition. Tell me what you have in mind when you send your photograph and I’ll let you know honestly what will work.
Delivery and Presentation
How is my portrait packaged and posted?
Your portrait is packed flat with protective card in a padded envelope; it’s never rolled. UK delivery is £15 by Royal Mail Special Delivery, guaranteed by 1pm the next working day (Monday to Friday) and signed for on arrival.
Do you send portraits outside the UK?
Yes, worldwide. Postage and packing for international orders is quoted individually when you enquire, so I can give you an accurate price for your country rather than a flat guess.
What’s the free mount, and do I have to have it?
Every portrait comes with a free black card picture mount, which adds a 2″ border all round, so the overall size grows by 4″ each way. It means your portrait arrives ready for framing. It’s entirely optional; if you’d rather have the drawing alone, just say.
Can I get a digital copy of my portrait?
Yes. For £10 I’ll email you a high-resolution digital scan of the original pencil drawing, with full reproduction rights, so you can print copies of the portrait for yourself or to share with family and friends.
About My Drawings
Do you use AI or digital tools to make your portraits?
No. Every portrait is hand-drawn by me in graphite pencil: no AI, no digital drawing and no outsourcing. If you’d like to see what that actually looks like, my About page shows one commission photographed stage by stage, from the first faint outline to the finished drawing.
Are your reviews from genuine customers?
Yes. I have a 5.0 rating from more than 200 Google re