Reference Photos

Secondly, you will need to send me your reference photos. Please read my reference photo criteria below, the better the photograph, the better the drawing! I use one main photo to base my drawing on, but feel free to send over as many as you like so that I can really get a feel of their character. 

• Reference photos need to be a really high-quality, in-focus photo, with your pet looking at the camera. 

• It is very important that the texture and direction of your pet’s fur is clearly visible- fur direction is vital in achieving a realistic drawing. 

• Photos taken in natural light outside are usually best, avoid photos taken under harsh light or in dimly lit rooms. 

• I need to be able to see the whole face and your pets eyes very clearly. 

• Ask yourself, does this photo truly represent how my pet looks, their fur colour, and would I be happy to have a portrait using this photograph as a reference? 

• To ensure that the photo is as crisp and sharp as possible, I need original images, no screenshots, filters, cropped photos or photo collages. If you are trying to get photos in secret, and are looking through the recipient’s social media for photos, there should be an option to save the image to your phone/device, rather than having to screenshot. 

• I understand that getting your pet to sit still enough for a photo can be hard, holding a treat next to your camera can help grab their attention! 

If you are unsure if your photos are suitable, then please feel free to send them over and I can advise. Likewise, if you have limited photos because a pet has sadly passed away, please just get in touch and we can discuss.