As you may be aware, most pet portrait artists will take a photograph and use it as a basis for a painting. Depending on what you are looking for, the artist may only use portions of the paintings that focus on the animal, and then create his/her own background. Therefore, if you are looking to commission a pet painting, you will need to supply an image that best matches what you are looking for in terms of your pet's unique visual characteristics
Head Shots vs. Full Body, Chances are, there are dozens of things about your favorite pet that capture his/her personality or appearance in some special way. For example, if you favor a particular facial expression, it may be of some benefit to send along a photograph that features this expression. Even though you may only have a full body image, you can still ask the artist to focus on just paining the head. Typically, if you want this type of specific focus, it may be of some help to send along a larger picture, or one that has good quality and clarity. In a similar way, if you are interested in pet paintings that feature a full body pose, you should always do your best to provide a good quality photo with crisp details
Action Scenes, There will always be times when you manage to photograph your pets as they engage in some occupation. This may include playing some type of game, running, walking, or sleeping. Depending on the situation, you may want to ask for a background that is different from the one featured in the image. For example, if you photograph your dog running in the yard, you might want a pet painting that features a beach instead.
Other Features, When you take a picture with camera, it will only make a recording of the objects that you see in the viewfinder. On the other hand, an artist can always change things around, or create something completely different. As a result, when you commission pet paintings, it is very important to think about what you really want to see in the painting. This may include a different type of background, or even a painting that features a more abstract painting style. No matter what you are looking for in the painting, you should try to include relevant photos, as well as a detailed written explanation
Even though you may ultimately wind up commissioning a number of pet paintings over the years, each one should still be as special as possible. Fortunately, when you commission a pet artist, you can ask for things that cannot always be obtained by simply taking a picture. No matter whether you want special backgrounds, or you are interested in specific poses, it is always important to choose a picture that captures as much detail as possible. As a general rule of thumb, accurate photographs will increase your chances of receiving a painting that meets your expectations
