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If you’re ready to commission a portrait, this is the place to start. Fill in the form below with as much or as little as you know, attach the photograph you’d like me to draw, and I’ll come straight back to you.
Commission a Portrait
All I really need to begin is your name and email address. Everything else is optional, but the more you can tell me, the sooner I can confirm the details. If you’re not sure what size you want, or whether your photograph will work, don’t worry: that’s exactly what I’m here to advise on.
Anything you send is held in the strictest confidence and never shared. See my privacy policy. If you’d rather email me directly, I’m at enquiries@pencilsketchportraits.co.uk.
What Happens Next
- I’ll reply personally, usually within a day, and let you know honestly whether your photograph will make a good portrait.
- If a different photo or a different crop would work better, I’ll explain why. I’d rather say so now than after I’ve started.
- Once we’ve agreed the composition and size, I’ll confirm the price and send an invoice for a 50% deposit. That books your drawing in.
- When the portrait is finished, I’ll email you a scan of it for your approval before you pay the balance.
- Your portrait is posted by Royal Mail Special Delivery, packed flat with protective card, with a free black card mount.
Nothing is committed until you’ve seen the price and agreed to it, and you won’t pay the balance until you’ve seen the finished drawing and you’re happy with it.
Choosing a Photograph
The photograph matters more than anything else, so it’s worth a moment’s thought. What I’m looking for is character: an expression, a pose, something that makes the subject unmistakably themselves. Good detail helps, particularly around the eyes, and natural light is kinder than flash.
Please don’t worry about it being a professional photograph. Most of the pictures I work from are ordinary snaps taken on a phone. If the only photo you have is old, or a little blurred, send it anyway and I’ll tell you honestly whether I can work from it. And if you have several, send them all: I can often combine the best of each.
Prices at a Glance
| Subject | 8″ × 12″ (approx. A4) | 12″ × 16″ (approx. A3) |
|---|---|---|
| One person | £89 | £109 |
| One pet or animal | £99 | £119 |
| Building, landscape or boat | £109 | £129 |
| Each additional subject | +£20 | +£20 |
Every portrait includes a free black card picture mount. UK P&P is £15 by Royal Mail Special Delivery, and I post worldwide with postage quoted at the time. Full details are on my Sizes & Prices page.
Common Questions Before Ordering
Am I committing to anything by filling in the form?
Not at all. The form simply starts a conversation. I’ll look at your photograph, advise on size and composition and confirm a price, and you’re free to think it over or decide against it. Nothing is booked until you’ve paid a deposit.
How soon will I hear back?
Usually within a day. I answer every enquiry myself, so occasionally it takes a little longer if I’m partway through a drawing, but you will always get a reply. If you haven’t heard from me in a couple of days, please do email me directly in case something has gone astray.
How do I pay?
I’ll email you an invoice, which you can pay by PayPal or bank transfer. A 50% deposit books your drawing in, and the balance is due once you’ve seen and approved the finished portrait.
Can you work to a deadline?
Usually, yes. Most drawings are finished within four weeks of the deposit and often sooner. If you have a date in mind, a birthday or Christmas for example, tell me on the form and I’ll let you know straight away whether it’s achievable. My Priority Service (£20) can complete a portrait within a week, subject to my workload at the time.
What if my photograph isn’t good enough?
I’ll tell you kindly and honestly, and suggest what would work better. I’d far rather ask for another photograph than produce a portrait that doesn’t do the subject justice.
Many Thanks
Thank you for considering me to dra