Custom Pet Portrait Commission FAQ

It is a one-of-one physical artwork developed from photographs of your cat. We study likeness, eyes, markings, posture and personality, then plan a portrait, relief or sculpture around the memory you want the work to hold.

Either can be possible. One strong photograph may anchor a simple portrait, while several references help us understand natural color, proportions, markings and expressions. A life-story composition can combine moments from different photographs.

Cats are the heart of our first collection, but we welcome thoughtful enquiries about dogs and other companion animals. The same photo-quality and feasibility review applies.

No. We do not sell an instant AI filter, template or automatic digital download. The commission is planned individually and the physical artwork is made by people. The written proposal identifies the actual artist.

Current directions include two-dimensional portraits, sculpted reliefs, freestanding models or sculptures, and coordinated legacy collections. We recommend the format after reviewing the story, photos, display needs, budget and destination.

Our current commission offer is centered on physical artwork. Any digital preview is part of review and is not automatically a printable final file or reproduction license unless the written proposal specifically includes one.

Choose clear images taken in natural light where the eyes, face, fur color and distinctive markings are visible. A characteristic expression matters more than a formal pose. Avoid heavy filters, extreme shadows and screenshots when a better original is available.

Yes. A well-lit, in-focus phone photo can be an excellent reference. Resolution, focus and visible detail matter more than the type of camera.

There is no fixed number for every project. Several clear references are helpful for most portraits. Reliefs and sculptures need front, side, three-quarter and full-body views when available so silhouette and proportions can be understood.

Often, yes. Separate photos can inform one composition when their angle, lighting and detail provide enough reliable information. We confirm feasibility and composition in the proposal rather than promising every combination in advance.

Yes, subject to the available references and composition. The number of pets affects dimensions, complexity, price and schedule, so include every intended subject in the enquiry.

Yes when the references preserve facial structure, eyes and fur detail. Soft window light or bright indirect daylight is especially helpful. If the face disappears into shadow, send additional angles or brighter images.

Enquire before ruling the project out. Emotionally important older images can still guide the story, and other photographs may supply missing color or structure. We will explain honestly what can and cannot be supported before asking for a deposit.

Possible changes can be discussed during concept development. A simpler background, a meaningful object, dates or a small symbolic detail may be considered when they support the story. The proposal confirms what is included and whether added complexity changes the price.

Yes. We focus on the expressions, routines and moments that best represent their life, not simply their final days. Limited photo archives are reviewed with care before we recommend a format.

Yes, if you have permission to use the reference photographs and enough reliable information about the pet. Tell us the occasion and required date early. We will not promise a gift deadline until the schedule is confirmed in writing.

Share the intended wall, shelf or display location and any size limit. The proposal confirms dimensions, orientation and whether framing or a display base is included, optional or left to the client.

These details may be included when they support the composition and are visible in suitable references. Provide exact spelling and dates. The proposal confirms placement and any effect on complexity.

Commissions begin at US$500. One Moment Portraits begin at US$500, multi-photo Three Moments Portraits at US$795, Sculpted Keepsakes at US$1,095 and Legacy Collections at US$1,795. Final pricing depends on medium, dimensions, complexity, number of pets and requested detail. Shipping is separate.

The written proposal identifies the recommended format, dimensions, composition, actual artist, included review stages, project price, estimated schedule and preliminary shipping approach. Only items stated in the proposal are included.

Many portrait projects are planned for approximately 6–10 weeks, while reliefs often require approximately 8–12 weeks. Sculpture, multiple pets or multi-work collections may take longer. Your proposal provides the project-specific estimate.

Tell us the desired date in the enquiry. We consider design, production, drying or curing, packing and shipping time before confirming feasibility. A requested date is not guaranteed until it appears in the accepted proposal.

The proposal states the review stages for the chosen medium. These may include composition or sketch review and selected progress updates. Review is not the same as an unlimited redesign after work has begun.

Unless the proposal says otherwise, one consolidated round of reasonable sketch-stage changes is included. Major changes to medium, pose, composition, dimensions or subject after approval may require a revised quote and schedule.

Cherry leads creative direction. Selected media may be completed with experienced artists or art educators in our studio network. The proposal identifies the actual artist, and the finished work is credited honestly.

Applying is free. After you approve a written proposal, a 50% deposit is invoiced through PayPal. The remaining balance and actual shipping are invoiced before dispatch. We do not store card details on this website.

The public form starts with your project details and story and does not accept original files. If the request is a fit, we email photo guidance and a separate method for sharing reference files.

Worldwide enquiries are welcome. Carrier availability, packed dimensions, weight, fragility, insurance and destination restrictions are assessed for the actual artwork before shipping is confirmed.

Shipping is quoted separately because the packed size, weight, carrier, insurance and destination vary. Import duty, tax or brokerage may be charged by the destination and is normally the recipient’s responsibility unless the proposal says otherwise.

We document packing and provide tracking and available carrier records. If damage is visible, keep the artwork, carton, labels and all packing materials and contact us within 48 hours with clear photographs so the carrier or insurance process can be assessed.

Yes. Public sharing of the process or finished work is a separate choice. You can enquire and commission without granting publication permission. Your story and contact details are not sent to Google Analytics.

You must own the photographs or have permission to provide them for the commission. Supplying a reference does not transfer ownership of that photograph to the studio, and artwork reproduction rights are governed by the written proposal.

Yes. Start by describing the images you have and the result you hope to commission. If the request appears suitable, we explain which references need to be reviewed before a proposal or deposit. A preliminary assessment can identify obvious limits, although final feasibility depends on seeing the actual files through the private sharing method we provide.

Keep it as the emotional anchor rather than discarding it. A blurry favorite image may preserve the right expression or moment while clearer supporting photographs provide fur color, markings, eye detail or body structure. We separate what is visibly supported from what would require interpretation and explain that boundary before the project begins.

Send an enquiry and say where the images came from. We may ask you to locate the original phone file, cloud backup, message attachment or video frame because platforms often compress detail. If no better source exists, we will assess whether the remaining information supports the requested size and medium instead of promising a likeness the files cannot justify.

Choose the image that feels most unmistakably like your pet, then add a small set of supporting references for natural color, markings, profile and body shape. Do not send dozens of unexplained files first. Tell us which image carries the memory and what each supporting photo clarifies so the visual priorities remain clear.

Potentially, yes. Separate references can support a shared composition when their angles, scale cues, lighting and visible detail are compatible. Tell us the relationship and whether the scene should feel realistic, symbolic or memory-led. We assess composition before accepting a deposit and will say when the available evidence would make the result unreliable.

Different photographs do not automatically prevent a multi-pet portrait, but camera height, head direction, shadow and apparent scale must be reconciled. A simple layout may be more credible than forcing incompatible poses together. Send one preferred expression per pet plus clearer supporting views; we will recommend a composition or explain why new references are needed.

Only when other reliable references show the missing anatomy, markings and proportions. We do not treat an invented paw, tail or body position as documented likeness. For a head-and-shoulders portrait the crop may be workable; a full-body portrait, relief or sculpture normally needs additional views before feasibility can be confirmed.

Look for brighter indirect-light images, short videos or side views where the eyes, nose bridge, ears and fur direction remain visible. Editing exposure cannot recover detail that was never captured. We can combine an emotionally important dark image with clearer references, but we will identify which features are supported before recommending a format.

That is a normal starting point. Tell us where the artwork will live, whether you want wall art or a dimensional object, which memory matters, how many pets are involved and your approximate budget. We can narrow the choice between portrait, relief, sculpture or collection without requiring you to use art terminology.

Yes. Share an honest approximate range, number of pets, destination and the result you value most. We can explain which published starting direction is realistic or whether the scope should change. A range is not a commitment to spend it, and no final price is valid until the medium, dimensions, complexity and shipping approach appear in writing.

Tell us the real event date and delivery destination immediately. We consider design, review, production, drying or curing, packing and transit rather than counting only studio time. If the date is unsafe, we may recommend a later delivery, a different format or declining the deadline; urgency is never confirmed until it is written into the proposal.

Email mrkcal@mrkcal.com with your pet’s name, number of subjects, the obstacle you need help with, the photographs you currently have, approximate budget, destination and any date or privacy need. It is fine to write “not sure” for medium or size. Do not send payment or original high-resolution files until we reply with the next step.