Privacy
For information about how I use your data, please see our Privacy Policy.
I may review these terms and conditions from time to time, so please take the time to check that you are happy before browsing my website, contacting me or placing an order.
Photographs
Please obtain permission from the person who took the photograph to be used as reference material. Please try to send the best reference you can to give me the opportunity to capture a true likeness of your pet. Please do not be offended if I request clearer photographs to work from or, if this is not possible, require extra information, to achieve a better resemblance. I cannot produce an accurate likeness of your pet if the photographs and other information supplied are themselves inaccurate or incomplete. I will notify you if I see an issue with the clarity of the photographs, or require more information to complete the portrait, but please ensure that the photographs you supply are a good likeness, wherever possible, and be sure to notify me of any important details that are inaccurate, missing or unclear.
Completion Time
When quoting for your order, I will give an estimated time of completion. This will vary with my workload and the complexity, medium and scale of your particular order. I may require longer to complete orders during busy periods such as Christmas. I will do my best to complete your order within the estimated time, but please note that this is not an absolute guarantee and failure to do so is not a condition for non-payment or cancellation on your part. If you have a deadline, such as a birthday, for which the portrait needs completing, please notify me of the date you require the item when placing the order and, if I confirm this is practical in writing, I will honour this and complete and post the portrait within this time, unless I am prevented from doing so by factors outside my control. Please allow sufficient time for posting and unforeseen postal delays. If the item requires framing by a framer of your choosing, please allow extra time for this. I cannot be held liable for delays to your order owing to third parties or matters outside of my control. If an unforeseen delay arises, I will update you as to the completion time and will give you the opportunity to cancel the order (cancellation fees may apply, please see below). Regardless of the agreed deadline, orders will not be commenced until full payment for the deposit has been received and orders will not be dispatched until the remaining balance is received in its entirety and payments have cleared.
Payment
A deposit of 50% will be required, payable by cheque or BACS. These payments must have cleared before work will be commenced. This deposit is non-refundable and will form part of the final payment. I will send an invoice with payment instructions once you have accepted the quotation. Any prices on this website are intended as a guide and actual prices will vary according to the complexity of the particular commission. I reserve the right to increase the price quoted if you make changes to your order.
Remaining payment, including postage and other costs quoted for, will be required within 14 days of notification of completion. Portraits will not be posted until payment is received in full. Statutory interest may be applied to late payments at my discretion.
Postage, Damage in Transit, Non-Receipt of Goods
Goods will be sent at cost to you by an insured carrier. I do my best to quote and charge accurately for postage, but may be required to change method or type of delivery, which may affect the final price paid or quoted. I will give you a tracking number from the carrier upon sending the item. Please let me know in advance if you require the item to be delivered to an alternative address, such as a work address. I cannot accept liability for non-receipt of goods in the instance you provide an unsuitable address, inaccurate address, or are not home to accept delivery. If you miss a delivery, please contact the courier directly to arrange a redelivery. Please notify me urgently if goods are not received within seven days so that I can contact the courier.
I take the utmost care in packing goods for posting. Please check goods for damage prior to signing for them. Please notify me urgently if the portrait is damaged on receipt and photograph the package and goods. I cannot accept liability for non-receipt of goods or receipt of goods damaged in transit if you do not notify me promptly in writing that there is a problem with the shipment. If the damaged portrait cannot be put right or repaired, provided it was covered by postal insurance, I will re-paint it, allowing for a feasible alternative completion date.
Cancellations & Refunds
Cancellations
As this is a bespoke item, in accordance with consumer law, I do not issue full refunds if you have changed your mind. I spend many hours creating and planning a portrait and invest time in all communications and planning with clients to fulfil a particular brief. Deposits are non-refundable to cover my time and materials. If you change your mind about your order within seven days of paying your deposit, please notify me in writing. In the instance that work has not been commenced, remaining payment will not be required, except for associated costs incurred, such as framing. If work has been commenced, I will retain the deposit and make a charge based on the time involvement and level of completion. Any refunds which I have agreed to will be paid within 14 days to be refunded by your original payment method. If I cannot fulfil a commission and need to cancel due to unavoidable and unforeseen circumstances that prevent its execution in the future, you will be offered a full refund.
Fortunately, most of my clients have been a joy to work with but I reserve the right to cancel orders in the event of non-payment, any form of abuse or harassment, in which case no refunds will be granted and an appropriate charge made for time and materials.
Alterations
I want you to be delighted with your portrait. In the event that you are unhappy with the photograph of the portrait, please notify me within 7 days of the changes required to meet your expectations and I will make up to three corrections where reasonable and practical. I may require further photographic reference from you and will require sufficient time to carry out the remedial work. I will not charge for making limited and reasonable alterations, where agreed. Extensive reworkings may incur an additional fee at the artist’s discretion. Further work outside the original brief discussed may not be practical and would not be carried out without reasonable charge, e.g. adding background or additional subject.
Please note that some media such as watercolour, ink and pen are more difficult to correct and that there are sometimes limitations as to the re-workings that can be made.
Once I have completed the portrait, I will send a photograph by email for your approval. Once I have sent you this proof, please notify me in writing within seven days if you require any alterations in order to achieve a likeness or to fulfil the original brief, else I will assume it meets with your approval and require remaining payment within 14 days. I make every effort to take a clear picture of the portrait for your consideration but please note that I cannot accept liability for subtle differences from the original owing to the limitations of photography and colour variation of individual computer screens.
Returns
If you are still unhappy with the portrait after I have made alterations, or do not want me to attempt alterations, please notify me in writing within 7 days of me sending you the preview by email. I will retain the 50% deposit (this covers the cost of my materials) and the portrait itself. I will charge for any postage costs which I have incurred, framing costs and other associated costs (if applicable).
I regret that I cannot accept returns for portraits once you have taken receipt of the item. Please ensure you are happy with the digital photograph supplied and confirm your acceptance within 7 days.
I reserve the right to resell portraits that are returned and at a different price than was quoted to you. You agree that you do not own the copyright and may not reproduce the portrait in any way.
Copyright & Privacy
Whilst I have sold you the original painting, unless you have purchased the entire rights to the work, I retain the right to use the image for marketing or other purposes. Please let me know if you have concerns about this before placing your order or I will assume your acceptance. I will respect your privacy and will not use your portrait for promotional reasons if you notify me that you would prefer to keep the commission private. Please understand that in these instances, I still own the copyright of the work.
In order to keep a gifted portrait a surprise, I try not display completed pieces on my website or social media until the recipient has received it. Please let me know if the commission is a surprise gift when ordering.
Please bear in mind, whether you own the painting or purchased the painting, that I still own the copyright of the work and it is illegal for artworks to be reproduced for personal or commercial use without consent from the copyright holder. The paintings are intended for your personal enjoyment and not to be replicated for profit or personal use without consent of the artist.