Pricing
Clear prices, set before any paint goes on
Every portrait is an original oil painting, one of one. The price is agreed with you up front and does not change.
Head study
8 × 10 in · 5–6 weeks- Head and shoulders
- Softly toned background
- Ready to frame
Classic portrait
11 × 15 in · 6–8 weeks- The size of every portrait in the gallery
- Head and chest, room for a collar or tag
- Plain or simple background
Full figure
16 × 20 in · 8–10 weeks- Whole dog, sitting or lying
- Space for a full setting
- Most glazing work, most detail
Prices in USD. A 50% deposit books your place in the studio queue. The balance is due when you approve the finished painting, before it ships.
Sketch approval
You approve the drawing before painting starts. Changes at this stage are free.
A date you can plan around
Your delivery date is confirmed in writing when you book, so gift deadlines are safe.
Insured shipping
Packed with corner guards in a rigid box and fully insured to your door.
Painted by one artist
Katherine paints every portrait herself. It is never passed to an assistant or printed.
Questions
Before you commission
Is this really hand-painted, not a print?
Yes. Every portrait is an original oil painting on canvas or board, painted by Katherine in her studio. There is one of it in the world, and it will be signed on the front.
My photos aren’t very good. Can you still paint my dog?
Usually, yes. Send everything you have. Katherine will look at them before quoting and tell you honestly what she can do. Chichi’s portrait in the gallery was painted from a photo after she had died.
Can you paint a dog who has passed away?
Yes. Chichi and Romeo in the gallery were both memorial commissions. Katherine is used to working gently with families at a hard time, and there is no rush on your side.
How long does it take?
Most portraits take six to eight weeks, because each oil layer must dry before the next. Your exact date is confirmed when you book. If you have a deadline, tell us on the form.
What if I’m not happy with it?
You approve the sketch before painting begins, and you see a photo of the finished portrait before paying the balance. Katherine will make reasonable adjustments until the likeness feels right.
Do you ship internationally?
Yes. Paintings ship insured in a rigid box. Shipping is quoted with your commission and depends on size and destination.
How do I look after an oil painting?
Hang it away from direct sun and heaters. Dust gently with a soft dry brush. Never use water or cleaning spray. The varnish protects the paint and can be renewed by a conservator decades from now.