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Good head shot of a horse
Sketch and final portrait
Portrait of a pony
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Here is a rough outline of the portrait process:
We first discuss (either via email or phone) what you might be interested in having done, be it a 5x7 head and neck study, or a 16x20 full body portrait with a completed background. I am always open to special requests, so if there is something unique that you have in mind, I would be happy to talk about it with you.
While I would love to paint each animal directly from life, I currently do my portrait work from color photographs. I can work from one particular picture if you have one in mind, or if you don't have one in a pose that you like, you can send a few different photographs as references and I will create a new pose for the portrait. If you would like to take new photographs for the portrait, please see my Photography Tips section to get a good idea on how to take optimal shots for a portrait. Keep in mind that a good quality photograph that is a clear, accurate representation of your animal is essential, and will greatly enhance the painting. Please don't send photos of your dog's eyes flashed out, your cat under a sofa, or your horse's head in a bucket. (Note: I cannot work from professional photographs unless written permission has been granted first by the photographer).
If you live within one hour of Richmond, VA I am
happy to come to your home or farm to take pictures. There is
a $30 fee for this service, which covers the shoot itself, film,
and developing. You will receive these 4x6 photos to keep after
the portrait is completed.
I also request a short description of your animal, including breed, age, special characteristics, favorite pastimes, anything you think will help me to get to know your animal better. This can be as simple as a handwritten page that will accompany your photos. I always enjoy getting to know my portrait subjects, so feel free to write a description of any length, and include as many photos as you like. Anything you send will be returned.
Once I have received your photos, I will generate a sketch according to your specific portrait requests. This will be emailed to you, and once it has been approved, I start my work. Your painting will take roughly 2 - 6 weeks to complete depending on size and complexity. Once the painting is finished, I will email you a full color scan. After the second approval, payment will be due including a shipping fee which will be calculated depending on the size. Once payment has been received, your painting will be carefully packed and shipped to you, fully insured.
Copyright statement:
The artist, Sue Simon, retains full copyright on each painting, preliminary sketches and/or any photographs taken by the artist. This includes images sent via email. These images cannot be copied or used in any way without expressed written consent of the artist. Violation is an infringement of copyright laws. If you have a special request, please inquire. |
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Size |
Head & Neck |
Full Body |
2 Animals, Head & Neck |
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5 x 7 |
$110 |
n/a |
n/a |
8 x 10 |
$215 |
n/a |
n/a |
11 x 14 |
$300* |
$375* |
$450* |
16 x 20 |
$525* |
$625* |
$775* |
| *A 50% deposit is requested after the initial sketch has been approved. |
Any extra services, such the painting of a background, matting and framing are available at an extra cost, and quotes will be given upon request. If you would like to use an image of your final painting for a Web site, print advertisement, etc., please contact the artist to obtain permission for these types of uses.
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Posing a horse
Best taken slightly below eye level
Capture that special pose or expression
Always have the sun at your back
What not to send |
Animal photography is a great way to spend time with your special pet and explore this wonderful field. Each shoot is different: setting up the composition, how your camera acts with various lighting situations and film types, and of course, how your animal feels about posing. Can you get his or her attention without encouraging movement? It takes a lot of patience to get the perfect picture.
For equipment, a good 35 mm print or digital camera should work just fine. A longer lens can be a great asset for some animals that may want to move if they see you coming with your camera, and you don't want to disturb that perfect pose. If you want to use a digital camera, please have the photos developed at a photo center. I find too often that photographs developed on personal home printers are not balanced correctly for color, and can distort the natural colors of your animals. 200 speed film for a still pose will work nicely. If you want to capture your horse, for example, at a flowing trot or canter, I suggest shooting with 800 speed, which is ideal for action shots, and will not give you the blurred effect that sometimes comes from shooting a quick-moving object with a lower speed film. You can also use 800 speed for still shots as well. Please don't use a disposable camera, as you won't be able to get the close-up detail that you need, and the prints can come out blurred. Remember: the more detail I can see, the more detail that goes into the painting! I prefer to work from 5x7 prints. If you are shooting with a print camera, please have the enlargement done from the negatives.
Here are some tips for your shoot:
Environment:
- Shoot outside if possible, during a sunny/mostly sunny early to mid-morning or late afternoon, as the noon-time sun can cast harsh shadows on your animal.
- Avoid cloudy days.
- Always have the sun at your back.
- If your animal is strictly indoors, try shooting on a bright day near a place with good natural lighting, such as by a sliding door or large window.
- A flash is a must for cloudy days, and most indoor conditions, but can also be used on sunny days to help tone down the shadows.
Posing:
- Take your pictures from your animal's eye level, or slightly below. (See my portraits for some examples of successful poses.)
- Horses: for a head and neck pose, do not stand directly in front of your horse with him/her facing you. Stand to the side, and get a good side or 3/4 view.
- Take care not to get too close to the head while doing this, as proportions may become distorted. For a full body pose, stand directly facing your horse's girth area, and at mid-barrel level.
- If you have a handler to help, have him or her turn the horse's head slightly towards you, so you can see at least almost or a small part of the opposite eye. If you can get a third person to help, have them get the horse's attention. (My favorite trick is to use a plastic film canister filled with dry beans that is thrown gently in the air. The sound is quite unique! Of course, there is the ever popular carrot ploy!)
- Work at liberty: I've received many successful photographs from people who have captured their horse in a small pasture or paddock just being a horse: snorting, galloping, etc. Try shooting from many different angles.
- You know your horse best: if you seriously show your horse, maybe you will want him or her painted in a show halter or bridle. If your horse is used mainly for pleasure, maybe you want to photograph your horse enjoying a sunny day in the pasture, or with a bridle on in a relaxed, happy pose.
Cats and Dogs: I find I get many good cat and dog pictures when they are taken from slightly below eye level. Some pictures can come out quite nicely when taken from the front. Maybe your animal has a special look they give you when they want a treat? Or to go outside? This can sometimes be captured easier with the help of a friend to get the animal's attention. But every animal is different, so above all:
- Experiment! No two photo shoots are the same, and animals have good and bad days just like people. Sometimes they can strike just the right pose in 1 out of 24 shots.
- Plan to use an entire roll of film, and shoot from many different angles.
- Fill up most of the frame with your animal.
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