Frequently Asked Questions
(To find the Answer, just click on the Question!)
MuralScapes
How do I commission a mural or folding screen? What’s the process? What about decorative painting and faux?
How much does it cost?
Can I pay with a credit card?
How long will it take you to paint a mural? decorative painting? faux?
Could you describe your folding screens for me?
What is “faux”?
How do I clean my mural? folding screen? faux?
Are you both artists? Who does what?
Will you travel to work on location?
Portraits Unlimited
How do I commission a portrait? What’s the process?
How long will it take you to complete a portrait for me?
How much will my painting or drawing cost?
When do I pay for my portrait?
Can I pay with a credit card?
What kind of paints do you use for your painted portraits?
Can you make a custom-sized portrait for me?
Do you work from photographs?
Can I email photos to you?
Should I send several photographs, or is one sufficient?
Can I have a background in my portrait?
Can I have more than one subject in the same painting or drawing?
What is a Conte drawing?
Why do you use tinted paper for your drawings?
Will I be able to see a picture of my portrait before you ship it to me?
How is my portrait shipped? How much is shipping?
Can I give a Gift Certificate?
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ANSWERS TO FAQ’s
MuralScapes
How do you commission a mural or folding screen? What’s the process? What about decorative painting and faux?
Actually, it’s pretty straight forward. First, have in mind what you’d like to have us paint and the area you’d like us to paint it in.
~ Sometimes it’s helpful to have an “Ideas” folder where you stash favorite scenes, colors, patterns, etc., taken from magazines, brochures, your own photographs—or just ideas you might have. (For ideas from us, see our Galleries page and click on one of our subcategories.)
~ Next, call us or send us an email to schedule an appointment at your site where the work is to be done in order to talk about your ideas. If you’re located some distance from our studio in Maine, we can do much of the work by email, fax, and phone.
~ Then we will work out and sketch a design for your project, or create sample boards for faux. Once you’ve approved the design we’ve sketched out for you or the sample board of faux we’ve made, we’ll draw up a contract and arrange a time for the work to begin.
~ During the painting process, we stay in regular contact with you so you are kept informed of our progress, and we receive your input—which can be as much or as little as you like.
How much does it cost?
Because of the individual, site-specific nature of murals, faux, and decorative painting, we can only give a quote when we know more about the project. Some factors that affect the price are size, amount of detail, layers involved (for faux), complexity of composition, access and staging requirements, and location (travel distance). We will be happy to talk with you about your project and your particular requirements.
~ An initial on-site consultation fee of $75 will be charged for local projects. (This fee will be fully deducted from the cost of the completed project.)
~ We then work up a sketch of the composition for murals and decorative painting, or create sample boards for faux. Our design fee for this service is $50 per hour.
~ When you’re happy with our plan for the project, a contract is signed, and a one-third deposit of the contract price is paid on the first day of work.
~ Another third is paid about half-way through the project.
~ The final third is paid upon completion of the work.
~ Folding screens are priced according to the size and complexity of the design.
Can I pay with a credit card?
Yes. If you go to our Ordering page you will find the link to PayPal. PayPal accepts most major credit cards, is simple to use, and very secure.
How long will it take you to paint a mural? decorative painting? faux?
There are many factors involved that affect the length of time to complete each project. Some of these include the amount of detail, complexity of the design/composition, staging requirements, access, etc. We give you an estimate of the time we expect each project to take—and, barring unforeseen circumstances, we’re usually pretty close.
Could you describe your Folding Screens for me?
Our exquisitely detailed all-wood folding screens are hand-painted by us in our studio. They are beautifully painted on both sides—one side is a mural or design; the other side is a correlating faux. They stand approximately six feet high by six feet wide, and are vertically divided into three panels. These all-wood screens are hand-crafted by a local craftsman, and include two solid walnut base stands for stability. For your convenience, they have two-way hinges, and can be set up in several different configurations. (We can think of five.) These “moveable murals” are a wonderful combination of artistry and practicality. They are an elegant way to section a room or just to create a private space for yourself. Prices vary depending on size and design. Call or email us to discuss our designs or to have us create a custom design especially for you! (See our Folding Screens section of our Gallery.)
What is “faux”?
Faux comes from the French word meaning “fake”. Originally, faux was done to imitate materials like wood, leather, marble, onyx, and other decorative stones. In addition to imitating natural materials, faux now refers to painted finishes that give a visual texture and depth that can’t be achieved by rolling on a single color. (See our Faux Painting Gallery.)
How do I clean my mural? folding screen? faux?
Use a damp, wrung-out rag or sponge with a mild solution of a normal household detergent diluted in warm water, followed by a thorough rinse with warm water. We finish all our painted works with a non-yellowing, high quality acrylic varnish that seals and protects the painted surface. We have had very good reports of the durability of our painted surfaces.
Are you both artists? Who does what?
The process is a collaborative one. We both fully participate in the creation of our works, and our hallmark is our attention to detail in every aspect. Each of us has our Bachelor of Fine Arts degrees, and we both paint and draw. In addition, we each have our particular strengths. Diane has an imaginative and conceptual approach to balancing the whole in composition, color, and design—as well as having an eye for detail, while David has training in rendering the human and animal form and in perspective and spatial illusion. There is much overlap in our abilities, and by working together, we balance each other through inspiration on the one hand–and the ability to express it on the other!
Will you travel to work on location?
Yes. We will commute within a 50-mile radius drive. Much beyond that, we stay in the area where the work is located.
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Portraits Unlimited
How do I commission a portrait? What’s the process?
First of all, thank you for considering us. We think you’ll be delighted with your portrait!
~ To start, find the best photographs you can, or check out our Photo Tips Guide to learn how to take great pictures of your pet or loved one.
~ You’ll want to visit our Pricing Guide. There you will find a chart of different sized paintings and drawings and the corresponding prices.
~ You will also want to check out the Options listed below the Guide in order to customize your portrait. Then just fill out the Portrait Questionnaire under the Ordering tab with your portrait information and email it to us together with 1 to 4 photograph(s).
~ After receiving your Questionnaire and photos, we will contact you as soon as we can (usually within a day or two), and send you an invoice through PayPal. The invoice will show the portrait price and the amount of the 30% deposit you will need to make before we can begin work on your portrait.
~ Upon receiving your deposit, we will send you a layout sketch based on your photos and the information you’ve given in the Questionnaire. Our sketch will give you a preliminary idea of the layout of your portrait for your approval. Your feedback is welcome!
~ When your portrait is completed, we’ll email a picture of it to you for your final approval. Your portrait is now finished, and as soon as we receive the remaining balance, we’ll package it carefully send it off to you. It’s that simple. By the way, shipping is Free within the continental U.S.! (For more detail about the process, see Ordering Information under the Ordering tab.)
How long will it take you to complete a portrait for me?
It normally takes between 4 to 8 weeks to complete a work, depending on the waiting list and the complexity of the portrait. Holidays are busy times for us, and it can take longer, so the earlier you get your order to us, the better. We work on a first-come, first-served basis, so to secure a place on the waiting list, we’ll need a 30% deposit. If you have a special occasion coming up, just let us know and we’ll do our very best to accommodate you.
How much will my painting or drawing cost?
Several factors determine the price. If you haven’t already done so, you’ll want to take a look at our Pricing Guide. You’ll need to decide if you want a painting or drawing, and what size you want your portrait to be. Also, you may want a background (like a landscape) or more than one subject in the same portrait. For drawings, the mat and mounting board is free!
When do I pay for my portrait?
Your portrait can be paid for in two separate installments. We do not require payment of the full amount up front. First, fill out the portrait questionnaire and send us the photos you’d like us to base your portrait on. We’ll email you an invoice with the portrait price and you can then make a deposit of 30% through PayPal. This secures your place on the waiting list. When your portrait is finished, we’ll email a picture of it to you for your final approval. Then, when we receive your payment-in-full, we’ll ship the portrait to you. Shipping is FREE within the continental U.S. (For more complete information, see Ordering Information for Portraits, under the Ordering tab.)
Can I pay with a credit card?
Yes. We will send you an invoice where you can pay through PayPal. PayPal is a very secure site, and accepts most major credit cards and currencies.
What kind of paints do you use for your painted portraits?
We work with the finest materials to ensure that our portraits have a long life. Paintings are made with Winsor & Newton and Golden brand artist acrylic paints on double-primed canvas applied to hardboard, or stretched on kiln-dried frames for the larger sizes. For their protection, we varnish all our finished portrait paintings twice.
Can you make a custom-sized portrait for me?
Yes! We paint wall-sized murals, so we can handle almost any size portrait you’d like! Contact us for a quote.
Do you work from photographs?
Yes. Since we paint and draw portraits from other countries and across the U.S., photographs are the only practical way for us to work. You might like to take a look at our Photo Tips Guide located under the FAQ tab.
Can I email photos to you?
Yes, by all means. If your digital camera takes 4 mega-pixels resolution or greater, you’re good to go. Or just send us the clearest, highest resolution photograph(s) you can so we are able to see as many details as possible.
Should I send several photographs, or is one sufficient?
We usually work from one primary photograph with the best pose, but other photos that show details are most welcome. Essentially what we’re interested in is good, well-lit photographs that show a good amount of detail. (See Photo Tips.)
Can I have a background in my portrait?
Yes. If you have a scene in mind which you’d like to have shown in your portrait, send us a photograph of that scene and we’ll try to incorporate it. Or, we’ll work with you to find something that’s appropriate.
Can I have more than one subject in the same painting or drawing?
Yes, you can. Just send us detailed photographs of the subjects you’d like us to include in the portrait, and we’ll compose the portrait from that information. Of course, we will email a preliminary sketch of our composition drawn from your photographs for you to approve before we work on the final painting or drawing. Please see our Photo Tips Guide.
What is a Conte drawing?
Conte (pronounced CONtay) is a traditional clay and wax drawing medium that has been used by artists for centuries. We use a combination of two to four colors for each portrait: black, white, terra cotta, and umber–a deep brown–depending on what’s appropriate for the subject. Our finished conte drawings come beautifully matted with backing board (conservation quality and acid-free), ready for you to frame. We use high quality, beautifully textured fine art drawing paper that is tinted. You can see examples of our Conte drawings in our Portrait Gallery.
Why do you use tinted paper for your drawings?
Tinted paper is traditionally used with Conte because white highlights are more visible against a colored background. We offer five colors of paper from which we and you select the one that most complements your portrait’s image: cream, pearl, wheat, soft light gray, and dusty robin’s egg blue. The colors are neutral in nature, and will harmonize with most any decor.
Will I be able to see a picture of my portrait before you ship it to me?
Yes. Before we begin the portrait we will send you a preliminary sketch of the composition for your approval. When we’re finished with the painting or drawing, we will email a photograph of the portrait, so you can view it before we send it. If there are any small adjustments you’d like us to make, we’ll do so before it’s shipped.
How is my portrait shipped? How much is shipping?
We personally wrap and professionally package each portrait with the utmost attention to its safety in transit. It should reach you in perfect condition. We hand-deliver the portrait to the express carrier, and they deliver it to your door. We can also ship via United States Postal Service for our customers with post office boxes. In any case, shipping charges are FREE within the continental U.S.!
Can I give a Gift Certificate?
Yes! Ordering a gift certificate is simple. You can find it under our Ordering tab, and it can be ordered through our PayPal account on the Order form located there. We will promptly send a beautiful gift card to the recipient with your message, or we can send the card to you, and leave it blank for you to send with a message to the recipient yourself. Either way, a gift certificate makes a beautiful and thoughtful gift that will be much appreciated and long remembered. See our Gift Certificate page under Ordering.