Let Me Make Some Art For You
So you've decided to commission your own custom painting or drawing? I'd be happy to do it for you. First, see my tips for a good reference photo below. Then, send an email to commissions@saramakesart.com and we'll get the ball rolling.
Tips For A Good Reference Photo
If you live close to me, I would be happy to arrange to take the photo for you. That said, here are some principals for a good reference photo.
1. No flashes
Almost all the things that give working from photos a bad rap are due to the use of a flash. Flashes blow out highlights, darken shadows, and are responsible for putting unnatural lights in subject’s eyes. Instead of using a flash, take your photo in ample lighting, preferably natural light.
2. No looking down(or up) at your subject
If you’re photographing an animal or a child, don’t take the photo looking down on the subject. While this may make a cute photo, it doesn’t necessarily make a great painting. Instead, get down to eye level with the subject.
3.No long distance shots for portraits
If you want me to paint someone, I need to be able to clearly see them. The subject should be in the foreground.
I may refuse to work from a photo that doesn't meet these standards. I know may sound like I'm making things difficult, but I really want you to love your painting and you may not be happy with what I make from a less than idea photo.
1. No flashes
Almost all the things that give working from photos a bad rap are due to the use of a flash. Flashes blow out highlights, darken shadows, and are responsible for putting unnatural lights in subject’s eyes. Instead of using a flash, take your photo in ample lighting, preferably natural light.
2. No looking down(or up) at your subject
If you’re photographing an animal or a child, don’t take the photo looking down on the subject. While this may make a cute photo, it doesn’t necessarily make a great painting. Instead, get down to eye level with the subject.
3.No long distance shots for portraits
If you want me to paint someone, I need to be able to clearly see them. The subject should be in the foreground.
I may refuse to work from a photo that doesn't meet these standards. I know may sound like I'm making things difficult, but I really want you to love your painting and you may not be happy with what I make from a less than idea photo.
Prices
paintings (the prices listed below are for a paintings with a face and shoulders of a person and/or an animal with a plain background) Prices for more elaborate paintings will have to be decided on at the time of commission
8x10 one figure=$260.00
8x10 two figures=$325.00
9x12 one figure=$340.00
9x12 two figures=$460.00
11x14 one figure=$500.00
11x14 two figures=$625.00
16x20 one figure=$700.00
16x20 two figures=$875.00
8x10 one figure=$260.00
8x10 two figures=$325.00
9x12 one figure=$340.00
9x12 two figures=$460.00
11x14 one figure=$500.00
11x14 two figures=$625.00
16x20 one figure=$700.00
16x20 two figures=$875.00
drawings
8x10 one figure=$90.00
8x10 two figures=$112.00
9x12 one figure=$130.00
9x12 two figures=$162.00
11x14 one figure=$180.00
11x14 two figures=$225.00
16x20 one figure=$250.00
16x20 two figures=$312.00
8x10 two figures=$112.00
9x12 one figure=$130.00
9x12 two figures=$162.00
11x14 one figure=$180.00
11x14 two figures=$225.00
16x20 one figure=$250.00
16x20 two figures=$312.00
Please note:The above prices are what I would charge for a fairly basic painting or drawing. If you want something very intricate or have a lot of special requests, this will drive up the price. Also, please download and read my "Commission Policies" and "Reference Photo" documents if you are commissioning me for the first time.
“Sara painted a wonderful portrait of her Grandfather for his 92nd birthday. It was Grandpop’s last birthday. It really looked like him and what made it even better is that there was a gold record surrounding him to represent his music career. He wrote Let’s Twist Again and Don’t Hang Up among many other songs. Sara is a wonderful artist that puts her heart into every painting she does.” My Aunt Roz Appell
“I commissioned Sara to paint a portrait of me, knowing that she would bring her own unique vision to it. When she presented it to me, i was thrilled. It excèeded my expectations by being totally cool and still being recognizably me. Sara’s quirky vision produced exactly what i was looking for. Thanks Sara.” Lindy Engstrom
“I commissioned Sara to paint a portrait of me, knowing that she would bring her own unique vision to it. When she presented it to me, i was thrilled. It excèeded my expectations by being totally cool and still being recognizably me. Sara’s quirky vision produced exactly what i was looking for. Thanks Sara.” Lindy Engstrom
Below is my contract for commissions.If you’re not sure of the size you want, you can email me a copy of the photo you want me to use (please download and read my reference photo doc for more info about this) to my email address at sararmillett@saramakesart.com and I can put it in my image editor and use that to show you what it would look like in various sizes. I can do this for you free of charge. You won’t owe me the deposit until you’ve decided on a size and officially ordered your painting. If you decide you want a painting, but are still unable to decide on a size, then a painting with one figure will be an 8x10 and one with two figures will be a 9x12. Please download, scan, sign, and send it back to me.
Important: Commission emails must include a size or request for photoshop sizes. I’ll also need a signed, scanned copy of the contract below and a fifty percent deposit. I will not start work on any commission without both of these things.
Important: Commission emails must include a size or request for photoshop sizes. I’ll also need a signed, scanned copy of the contract below and a fifty percent deposit. I will not start work on any commission without both of these things.

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