After your initial inquiry, we will discuss your ideas and thoughts of size and pose. All of my pet portraits and many of my people portraits are painted using photographs provided by my clients for reference.  Good photographs are essential to create a good portrait! Send me your best shots (several are recommended). I can print out clear emailed photo attachments or use your original mailed ones. Candid shots often make very nice portraits of both people and pets! If you wish for me to use Copyrighted Professional Photographs for reference, a copyright release must be obtained from the photographer and sent to me along with those photographs. I like to see a variety of photos, with at least one showing your subjects true hair and eye color and/or skin tone.  I work from one main photo so choose a pose from your photographs which best portrays the character and personality of your loved one. Photos taken outdoors or in daylight without flash are best. Flash tends to wash out color and diminish form.  If you are in question of the quality of your photos, send them to me and I will let you know if I can work from them, however most good photos have potential!  All of your photos will be returned to you with the finished portrait.  

A 33% deposit is required on  people portraits before work can commence.
Once I begin the painting, I will email to you a digital copy of the portrait in progress, to make sure all is going as it should. I like to allow up to 4 to 8 weeks for completion (place Holiday orders 8 weeks in advance). Upon completion, I will email another digital copy for your approval and will make any necessary adjustments. Your satisfaction is guaranteed! Once you have approved the finished work, full payment is due prior to shipment by personal check or money order. Personal checks must clear my account before I can ship your portrait. All orders are subject to a 6% sales tax and shipping costs are an additional charge. The portrait and your photos will be shipped UPS Ground and insured. I will email you a shipping confirmation number so that you can track your package.

Pastel paintings are fragile until properly framed (see About Pastels on main page), so my portraits are shipped flat, protected with a sheet of glassine paper and enclosed between solid packing materials. Matting is available if you so choose at an additional cost. Once you receive the portrait, it will be necessary to have the portrait framed by a professional framer in your locality. For clients local to Carlisle, PA, I offer custom conservation matting and framing from my home studio.
 
If you are interested in commissioning an original portrait, or if you have any questions about the process, please contact me by email via "Contact the Artist" from the navigation bar. I will get back with you as soon as possible.

If you are sending photos by postal mail, please send to the following address:

Donna Mitchell
1210 Stratford Drive
Carlisle, PA 17013

Thank you for visiting DonnaMitchellPastels!
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 Please note:
-All portraits remain the property of Donna Mitchell until paid for in full. 
-The artist retains all copyright of the commissioned artwork to be reproduced for use in display, advertising, promotional materials and website use.
-Artist will not be liable for delays in completion of work due to reasons beyond control.
-All work on this site is copyright and may not be reproduced in any form without the permission of the artist. To reproduce work without permission may result in legal action being taken.