So you’ve decided to get your pet a realistic pet paintings commissioned. Congratulations! You’ve just made the first step in immortalizing your pet for years and years to come, even after they’re gone.
Before you send in that photo, it’s important to know a few guidelines to make your pet painting as realistic as possible. Your furry friend deserves the best, right?
Tip #1 : Pay Attention To Lighting
Lighting is possible the number one factor next to getting your pet to sit still long enough to take a picture. Having good lighting is key to a realistic pet painting. It allows the artist to see all of those small details that make up what is truly unique and special about your pet.
Outdoor lighting is always preferred to indoor lighting, which can be harsh and unnatural. Outdoor lighting is the most true to life lighting that you can get, which is especially important to get realistic coloring of your pet’s coat.
Tip #2 : It’s All About The Angle
Now that you know what lighting to use to snap your photo, let’s talk about angle. We all know the human selfie angle – holding the phone up above our heads, angling down. While this may be great for reducing a double chin, it is not a great angle for getting a realistic photo of your pet.
When taking the photo, try to be at eye level with your pet. This ensures that your pet is portrayed correctly in your pet painting. You’ll also want to get as close up of a shot as possible, but it isn’t necessary for your pet to be looking directly at the camera.
Tip #3 : Check Out The Background
While not totally essential to a good pet painting, try to remove as much clutter from the background of your shot as possible. Featuring your pet in front of a blank canvas allows them to stand out more, so that the person creating your pet painting can see all of the tiny details that make your pet so special.
Tip #4 : Wrangling Your Pet
You’re outside (if possible), you’re at eye level with your pet, the background is as clear as possible. Now what?
Some pets can be notoriously difficult to photograph, especially those that are incredibly active and don’t ever seem to sit still. While it can be tricky, taking a non-blurry picture of your pet is necessary for an accurate pet painting. How you can accomplish this is different depending on the pet… some pets respond well to food rewards, others to toys, and some will just sit and stay because you’ve asked them to. Regardless of which type of pet you have, make sure that you get all of their facial features in the frame. Pet paintings can’t be created without a good quality subject, no matter how talented the artist may be.
It’s also a good idea, if possible, to remove your pet’s collar prior to the photo session. This makes it easier for your artist to do his or her job.
Tip #5 : Don’t Sweat The Small Stuff
No photo is ever going to be perfect, especially when it comes to our pets. Pets don’t always listen to direction or sit still for very long, which is part of why we love them so much!
When capturing that perfect photo to send in for your pet painting commission, don’t worry too much about the small details. While some can be edited out by the artist creating your painting (think drool or tear stains, which may be removed on request if the artist agrees), a lot of these small details are what really make your pet unique. Things we see as flaws are often the things we miss the most when our pet is gone.
Tip #6 : Have An Idea In Mind
Last but not least, when taking a picture to turn into a pet painting, always have an idea of the finished product in mind. Look at the costume options, and let that help you select which photo to ultimately send in. You may want to try to capture a specific look (example – serious faces for renaissance pet paintings, or a sillier face for a painting like “The Surfer”). Being able to get the right “vibe” for the photo is just as important as all of the other factors to create a complete pet painting.
Having a pet painting created for your furry loved one is a great way to honor their important place in your life. Knowing the best practices for getting a good quality photo to turn into that pet painting helps the final result be as true to the real spirit of your pet as possible. Let your pet really shine by following the few simple tips discussed above, and enjoy your new artwork!
