How to Commission an Affordable Custom Painted Portrait

How to Commission your Custom Portrait

Maybe you've thought about commissioning an original custom portrait? It's easy and affordable! Custom portrait artist Todd Belcher specializes in creating painted portraits from photos. You can commission an original portrait of your beloved pet, a special child, family member or friend.

Here are the five simple steps to commission your own custom portrait art:

1. Choose the Medium
2. Choose the Size
3. Send Photos
4. Approve the Sketch
5. Receive your Portrait!

1. Choose the Medium:
Acrylic Paint (color)
Pencil (black/white)

All custom portraits are created on acid-free, non-yellowing heavy paper stock and are suitable for framing under glass.

2. Choose your Portrait Options:

Size	Price	S&H

5"x7" Pencil	$99.95	FREE
8"x10"	$200.00	$25.00
11"x14"	$300.00	$25.00
12"x16"	$500.00	$25.00
16"x20"	$750.00	$35.00
18"x24"	$1250.00	$35.00
22"x28"	$1500.00	$45.00
24"x30"	$2000.00	$45.00
24"x36"	$2500.00	$45.00

Prices listed are for one subject.
Additional subjects in a portrait up to 12" x 16" are $75.00 each.
Additional subjects in a portrait larger than a 12" x 16" are $175.00 each.
Custom and larger sizes are available; Call for a quote.

Some custom portraits work better in an odd size due to composition, number of subjects, etc. If that is the case for your custom portrait art, Todd will contact you and discuss your choice of size before beginning work on your commission.

Along with your portrait, we also offer custom personalized letters from the Rainbow Bridge. Letters come in beautifully decorated envelopes illustrated by hand. Learn more about Jimmy's personalized letters From the Rainbow Brdige.

3. Send your Photos:
Send photos* of the subject(s) and all special instructions for your custom portrait. All photographs and any additional materials you send will be returned to you when your custom portrait is delivered.

* Remember that better photos make better portraits! After years of creating pencil and painted portraits from photos, Todd has developed these tips:

Send at least one good photograph showing the face of the subject(s).
Send a photo that conveys the personality of the subject, if possible.
For custom pet portraits: If the fur color varies across photos, identify the most accurate match.
For custom pet portraits: If possible, send a photo taken at your pet's level so he/she is looking straight at the camera.

Mail: To send photos by mail, include with the full payment and send to the address below. (Printed photographs sent by mail are preferred to ensure color accuracy.)

Email: To send photos by email, identify all subjects in each image and include any special instructions in your email. Remember to also mail your full payment to the address below.

Send your Payment:
You can pay by credit card, check or money order. To pay by credit card, call us at 336-201-7475 and we will process your order by phone. To pay by check or money order, make it payable to Jimmydog Design Group, LLC, and mail the full amount to Todd at:

Jimmydog Design Group, LLC
740 Barnsdale Road
Winston-Salem, NC 27106

4. Approve your Sketch:
If you have commissioned a custom portrait for one subject, Todd will send a scan of your final portrait via email for review before shipping.

If you have commissioned a custom portrait for multiple subjects and/or a composite from several photos, you will receive a preliminary sketch via email showing the composition for your approval. Todd will also send a scan of your final custom portrait via email for review before shipping.

5. Receive your Portrait!
Painted portraits from photos typically take several weeks* to complete. Upon receipt of your payment, Todd or Stephanie will contact you with an estimated completion date for your custom portrait art. (All custom portraits are created in the order in which they are received.)

* Custom Portraits with multiple subjects or those commissioned during holiday or high-volume months may take longer. If you need your custom portrait art by a certain date or for a special occasion, please let Todd know and he will do everything possible to accommodate your request.

Also Available: Signed Art Prints of your Portrait
In response to requests from happy customers who wished to share their portrait with friends and loved ones, we have begun offering fine art prints. These high quality prints are produced on archival acid-free paper with ultrachrome inks. Each print captures the rich color and detail of the original and is hand-signed by the artist. For more information on placing a special order for prints of your portrait, contact the artist at the email or phone number listed below.

If you have any questions about how to commission your custom portrait, contact Todd at 336-201-7475 or message us from our contact page. Or visit our Custom Portrait Prices page for details on how to buy a Jimmydog Custom Portrait Gift Certificate.