Pet Portraits!

Cooper, 2010. 11 x 14 inches, charcoal and pastel on Canson.
Buttercup, 2010. 8x10", charcoal, Sylvester collection, Maine. A sweet, playful girl who LOVES the beach!
Carter, 2009. Long haired German Shepherd. Watercolor/ink portrait story panel, Lindell collection, Connecticut. Carter is an active boy who LOVES to chase a tennis ball (or a thousand). His portrait story panel has lots of tennis balls for him to chase, chew and destroy!
Lytton, 2009. Mastiff/shepherd mix. Charcoal and Rembrandt pastel. Kazmer collection, Connecticut. Lytton is a big, handsome boy! He's very camera shy, so I took many (faraway and zoomed-in!)photos of him myself, studied the photos, and rendered this noble and alert pose for him.

Mercedes, 2003. Dalmation, charcoal. Proulx collection, Connecticut. Mercedes is a sweet, devoted girl to her favorite person. Mercedes' nickname is "June Bug."
Bubba, 2004. Chihuaha, watercolor and India ink. Chastain collection, Connecticut. Bubba was so loved by his friends and family. A little dog with a big heart (and a cute pink tongue!), he freely gave joy to all he knew.
Reese, 2003, charcoal. Barrows collection, Connecticut. Reese was just a puppy when I did this portrait. Playfulness is the order of the day!
Merlin, 2007. Malamute Mix, watercolor/ink portrait panel. Witteveen collection, Massachusetts. Merlin was a happy soul who loved exploring the woods with his favorite person. For his portrait story panel, I incorporated trees, water and a colorful autumn landscape into the painting. This panel tells the story of a great, gentle dog who found joy in the sights and smells of the earthy forest.

Cooper, 2008. Great Pyrenees, charcoal with Rembrandt pastel. Boudreau collection, Illinois. Cooper is a gentle giant who would take a cuddle over a cookie any day! He just loves to love.Hollister, 2005. Papillon Mix, watercolor and ink. Flaherty/Valentino collection, Connecticut. "Holly" is a lively little guy with a big smile and a warm heart. He makes friends with everyone he meets!

Smudge, 2005. domestic shorthair cat, watercolor and ink. Flaherty/Valentino collection, Connecticut. Smudge is very devoted to his favorite human; he follows him everywhere!


Gorjuss, 2005. White German Shepherd, charcoal. Gale collection, Canada. Gorjuss is a noble, sweet and devoted girl. She brings endless amounts of joy to her favorite person. She loves to play in the snow, and hang out with her "mom" as she paints in her studio.
Peach, 2008. Champion English Bulldog, charcoal and Rembrandt pastel. Davis collection, Connecticut. Peach was a wonderful diva; a character full of personality-plus. This beautiful girl was so loved by her family.


Hello!

I'm Helen Scanlon and some of you may know me as the Equine Artist of Sound the Bugle Studio (www.soundthebuglestudio.com), but did you also know I am a Pet Portraitist? Well, I am! I have been drawing animals for over thirty years, and I have been doing professional pet portraits since 2002.

Welcome to the official blog of Helen Scanlon Pet Portraits...Read on and find out how you can order a custom pet portrait from me:

Commissioning a pet portrait is VERY easy! Just check out the price list and sizes and contact me at soundthebuglestudio (at) charter.net to discuss your pet's portrait. Gift certificates are also available in any amount.

Price list for commissioned work as of 2014-2015 (prices subject to increase/decrease due to material and shipping costs)
Prices reflect work for one subject, head only. Two subject and full-body works start at 11" x 14" and up. Inquire for sizes larger than 11" x 14" (I can work very large if need be...I have some 5' by 6' stretched canvas ready to go!) :-)
8" x 10" Graphite pencil : $50.00
9" x 12" Graphite pencil : $75.00
11" x 14" Graphite pencil : $100.00
8" x 10" charcoal/pastel : $125.00
9" x 12" Charcoal/pastel : $150.00
11" x 14" Charcoal/pastel : $200.00
8" x 10" watercolor/ink : $195.00
9" x 12" watercolor/ink : $275.00
11" x 14" watercolor/ink : $375.00 (on heavier paper add $25.00)

Acrylic paintings:

8" x 10" acrylic paint on traditional profile canvas : $195.00

8" x 10" acrylic on gallery profile canvas (has edges for 3-D effect, very dramatic) : $225.00

9" x 12" on traditional profile canvas: $265.00

9" x 12" acrylic on gallery profile canvas : $350.00

11" x 14" acrylic on traditional profile canvas: $400.00

11" x 14" on gallery profile canvas : $450.00

If you wish me to find an inexpensive canvas panel to reduce the total price of the painting, I would be happy to do so.

I require a 50% non-refundable deposit before I start the painting.

I can also paint on museum-profile canvas panels which have a deeper edge for a even more dramatic 3-D effect for an additional fee.

Price includes time for study of subject which includes preliminary sketches and color studies, full-color reference photo printing (since I can't fit your horse in my studio!), use of professional-grade materials (which add to the considerable durability and vibrancy of the final product--it makes a HUGE difference!) and shipping of canvas panels from my distributor.

Inquire for larger sizes, regular charcoal without pastel is available for a lower price. I use all professional-grade, archival materials. I prefer Arches and Canson for fine art papers, and Winsor and Newton watercolors, and Blick Premier professional-grade stretched canvas panels, Liquitex professional acrylic paints and I prefer da Vinci paintbrushes. These high-quality pencils, paints, brushes, canvas and papers ensure that your original artwork remains vibrant for many generations with proper care. Five hundred years from now, it will still look fresh and colorful hanging in a museum. 



Prices are subject to change slightly in order to reflect fluctuating shipping and materials costs. You get the price you are quoted from me the day you order your portrait---it will not increase.

A 50% non-refundable deposit and signed commission contract is required for all pet portraits. I will happily help you with the entire payment and contract process.


Smaller and larger sizes can be accommodated for varying wall sizes and budgets. Just ask!

CT residents add 6.35% sales tax. All prices include shipping and handling within the US.

I use expedited and insured shipping to get the portrait to you as quickly as possible. Less handling time means less chance of the portrait being damaged in transit!

And, some information to help you decide on the medium (you can always e-mail me if you need help deciding on which medium would best suit your pet--- soundthebuglestudio (at) charter.net.

Information on Commission Items

Charcoal:
Charcoal pencil gives a dynamic portrait with the use of expressive line and shading. Charcoal is a versatile medium that can be bold, but can also convey delicacy. You may want to add a splash of color and texture with Rembrandt chalk pastel highlights for an additional fee.

Watercolor/Ink:
Watercolor paints and watercolor pencil with an ink outline. Rich, vibrant and dramatic; a customer favorite.

Specialty Item:

Portrait Panels
A portrait panel is not just a painting of your pet. Portrait panels feature your pet's favorite things: a toy, a comfy bed, treats, tennis balls for playing fetch, you name it! A truly custom portrait that tells your pet's unique story; portrait panels are a perfect tribute to our furry friends past and present.

All you need to get the portrait process rolling is to provide me with a couple of snapshots, a personality description of your pet, the deposit and the signed commission contract. It's that easy! I love to involve my clients in the creative process so I can be sure the true character of their pet comes alive on the paper.

I love to meet my subjects when I can, and I can take photos if needed.

If your dear pet has passed on and you do not have a lot of photos, or, no photos--it's no problem. I can create a portrait from descriptions and feedback from you for an additional fee.

My style is best described as "expressive realism." I enjoy showing the artistic process in the finished work. I do not copy photographs to achieve extreme photorealism; instead I study the photographs and create a truly original artistic interpretation of the subject.

I also know that doing a pet's portrait requires more than simply putting an image on the paper, and this why I ask for personality descriptions--so that I may capture a pet's personality as well as their physical likeness.

I include you in the portrait's process. I will send you frequent updates and you will be able to tell me what to change and tweak so that the true likeness of your pet emerges from the paper.

The portrait is done when you look at it and say, "that's my pet!" All portraits are given your seal of approval before they are called "done."

...Or, some clients have chosen the "surprise me!" option. Let me know, it's up to you!

I also offer gift certificates!

They are printed on high quality paper and they make a wonderful, heartfelt gift. And they are not just for birthdays! They are also perfect for the Holidays, Father's Day, Mother's Day, Valentine's Day, Anniversaries--or just because. All you need to do is pay the commission price, and your gift recipient can work directly with me. They can be involved with the portrait from the first pencil mark!

Or, if you prefer to surprise someone with a completed portrait--I can do that, too...Just let me know. I strive to make the portrait process as easy as possible for you. Any questions or special requests? Just ask! Chances are, I can do it.

All of my portraits are completed on archival, museum quality acid-free paper, mainly the Canson and Arches brand. These fine art papers are of extremely high quality and will be vibrant and beautiful for many generations with proper care. Our pets past and present deserve to be immortalized in an original piece of art that will last and bring us joy for many, many years.

I hope to hear from you! E-mail me today at soundthebuglestudio (at) charter.net

Best wishes from Sound the Bugle Studio!

Helen Scanlon, Hampton, CT USA

Customer Testimonials:

"The portrait is absolutely STUNNING!! Thank you so much! You have captured a look in his eyes that I wasn't expecting. I'm shocked that you could do that from looking at his photos. He is truly a gentle giant and you caught that perfectly. I will cherish it :), thank you again!"

"The portrait arrived yesterday afternoon. It is WONDERFUL!! I have to find the perfect place to hang it . . . I'm so pleased! Again, thank you so much!!!"

"Helen, I just love the portrait. You captured his essence. Thank you SO much."

"I just want to let you know that I think I'm pretty lucky to have found you. Having a pet portrait done of our beautiful girl will be just great, and I am thankful to have found someone who seems so sensitive and talented. Just wanted to say thanks."

"Oh, Helen, when I first saw the portrait, I got tears in my eyes. It's really beautiful. Thank you."

"Yippppeee!
The wonderful artwork you made has arrived. WE LOVE IT!! it really shows off her whiskers and happy smile.
Thanks so much, can’t wait to see it framed. :-DDD"

"As owner of this dog, I can fully attest Helen captured him wonderfully! Thank you, thank you, thank you, Helen!"

"That's my boy! I feel like he is with me again. Your portraits are magical. Thank you so much."

"I must tell you that all of Bubba's "family" and friends are AMAZED at how you captured his personality! They did not think it could be done. Everyone was very skeptical at first when I commissioned you - they didn't believe it could be done . . . . And I never gave a thought to having an original portrait done until I saw your work in Todd's office. God works in mysterious ways. You have helped to ease the pain of his loss more than you can know.
Thank you again."

Helen unquestionably captured the essence of both my beloved childhood mare and my German Shepherd. While the likeness is uncanny, I think my favorite aspect of Helen's work is the unique aspect of her interpretation: there is a sense of fluid, heartfelt emotion in both pieces, clearly demonstrating the time she took to "get to know" my animals in the process of creating my portraits.