I love to paint animals. The subtlety of their expressions is a challenge to capture. Their eyes, the windows to their personalities, are even more important, and I spend a lot of effort getting them right. A favorite toy, or location the animal feels especially comfortable in can add to the overall refinement of the picture. The most important aspect of the photo, however, is lighting. A photo can contain shadows, but the main features of the image should by all means be well lighted and shadow free as possible. Light will decide the difference between a good picture and a great one. If you live in my area and would like to have me shot the photos, for an unreasonably small fee I would be happy to.

Requirements for ordering from the pet portrait price guide:

• Photographs must be at least 4" X 6" for prints or 1280 X 960 pixels (if digital.) They should be in focus, well lighted, and show reasonable detail.
• The background will be painted in a "shaded" manner by me and subject to your approval for color and texture.
• If multiple photos are to be used, the subjects must be completely compatible with each other. This means that the lighting, coloring, and poses of the subjects must not require significant changes to make them blend with each other.
• Portraits that require highly detailed backgrounds or foregrounds, such as scenery will incur an additional charge.

I will paint portraits from any photo or image submitted by clients.  In addition, I will travel to meet portrait clients and subjects as required. Details of each commission will be determined on an individual basis, including procedures, specific terms, arrangements and fees.

Portrait prices can start as low as $50 for small, simple portraits of one subject on watercolor paper, to more than $5000 for large, complex portraits on canvas.  Custom framing services are available, if desired.  An initial deposit is required to initiate the commission for any enhanced portrait whether on paper or canvas. Terms beyond initial deposit are negotiable, however in most instances, payment is paid at approval of the finished portrait, but prior to delivery.

I will send images via email or the Internet at my web site throughout the painting process - including close-ups at the appropriate time.  Your input and suggestions will be part of the creative process at every step to ensure that your needs are perfectly met. 

Every effort will be made to not only ensure client satisfaction with the image, but also to allow for the highest degree of permanence of the painting itself. Only the best archival-quality materials will be used, regardless of cost, in the interest of longevity.

All portraits painted by me carry a 100% money-back guarantee.  If for any reason you are not totally satisfied with your portrait, I will refund your entire purchase price. Please send your initial inquiry to the following email address: fred@fwhouston.com

Portraits Printed on Artist Quality Paper

In response to customer requests, I’ve added this category of portraits. The canvas portraits are enhanced, which means that I apply additional texture and sometimes color after the portraits are printed on the canvas, resulting in a portrait that very closely resembles a portrait painted using the time honored traditional methods. In order to keep prices reasonable, I skip this step when I print on paper. The end result is a portrait that more resembles a watercolor, or maybe a pastel, painting.

Same Artist Quality Materials

There is less work involved on my part, so the price is very reasonable, but I do not skimp on the quality of the materials I use. The paper is acid-free heavy-weight water-color paper, and the inks are Epson UltraChrome K3. These inks have been tested to have durability in excess of 100 years when mounted under UV protective glass.

The process of creating your portraits remains the same. Your picture will contain the artistic touches of my brush strokes and color enhancements, and the result will look like a print of an original painting, still lovely to look at. In a nice frame the portrait is still a work of art, and carries the same guarantee of 100% satisfaction as the rest of my work. If you decide later that you’d like a canvas version of the same portrait, I will apply 25% of the original purchaser price to the new portrait.

• Add $50 for each additional subject.
• Add $75 for complex backgrounds such as outdoor scenes.
• Add $50 for stretching on 3/4” standard stretcher bars.

Paper Product

Portrait Size	Unmatted Price	Matted Size	Matted Price
5" x 7"	-	8" x 10"	$35.00
8" x 10"	$25.00	11" x 14"	$55.00
11" x 14"	$45.00	16" x 20"	$65.00
13" x 19"	$60.00	20" x 24"	$95.00
17" x 22"	$75.00	24" x 36"	$115.00

Canvas Portraits

Canvas Size (Unstretched)	Price
11" x 14"	195.00
16" x 20"	240.00
20" x 24"	290.00
24" x 30"	340.00
24" x 36"	390.00
30" x 36"	425.00
36" x 48"	495.00

Full Name
E-Mail Address
Phone Number
How Will You Send The Photo(s)?	Electronically, via e-mail Original Photo (hardcopy)