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Planning your portraitOnce you decide who you want painted, please contact me using the contact form to discuss your ideas and plan your portrait requirements. You can tell me what you are looking for and share some photos with me (if you have them). I will get back to you with an idea of what’s possible and a cost. Not sure what you’re looking for? Let's chat about what's possible and take it from there. There is no commitment or cost at this stage and there won't be a charge if you decide not to proceed.
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Working from photosI can paint commissions from photos. For best results I need one good quality reference photo that is clear and in focus. Photos taken in natural daylight are usually flattering. If you don’t have one perfect photo that’s fine. You can send me several photos and I can help you edit them down to make your final choice. Sections from different photos can be amalgamated. Colour, background (if any) and clothing can be changed. Additional supporting information that helps me get to know about the person I'm painting is welcome (photos, video, the opportunity to speak with the person or someone who knows them).
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Help taking reference photosI am not a professional photographer, but as an artist, I do like to take reference photos or the people I paint, it helps me steer the creative process. Because its collaborative, a photoshoot also helps me provide you with a commission that's exactly what you want. I can travel locally to take photos, or I can hop on zoom to help you design & conduct your own photoshoot remotely with someone else taking photos for you (a friend or a photographer). Both are fun and creative way to get great reference photos. Photoshoot costs (and travel if applicable) are additional to the commission price.
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Place an orderOnce we are both happy with the plan for your portrait a 50% deposit is required to confirm your order. There is no obligation or cost up to this stage, if you decide not to take things further there won’t be a fee.
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Progress and feedbackI will send progress updates and welcome your feedback during the completion of your commission. Usually this means 2-4 updates depending on the complexity and level of finish required in the artwork being created. I want you to feel comfortable asking questions and expressing opinions about the art as it progresses because its important to me that you’re pleased with the result. Being involved in the creative process can be fun and exciting but if you prefer not to, that’s OK too. Once the artwork is complete, I will send a photo of it for you to check.
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Sharing your artwork as printsWant to share they enjoyment of your finished painting with friends and family? I can arrange fine art quality (giclee) prints for you. These prints look almost identical to the original and are resistant to weathering and fading. With the right care*, they can look fabulous for a very long time. The process of creating prints involves me* working with my local (award-winning) print company on scanning, proofing, and colour correction. This is best done before your painting is delivered. Thereafter, you can order prints whenever you are ready. These can be the same size as the original, or smaller. Prints are on archival paper (308gm) and comes with a certificate of authenticity. *Scanning and printing must be arranged through me as the creator and copyright holder for the commissioned artwork unless express permission / licence is given otherwise *A general recommendation for protecting and preserving prints is to frame them behind glass and display them away from direct sunlight and moisture. All prints are supplied unmounted and unframed. Mounts and frames are represented on this website for visual purposes only.
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DeliveryCollection in person from CT14 (UK) is welcome by appointment. Otherwise, I arrange delivery of artwork for you. UK delivery is free. I package most artworks myself using recycled materials (cardboard, bubble-wrap) where possible, and arrange tracked delivery on your behalf. Occasionally, larger & heavier artworks may require further protection in which case I may use of a professional art packing and logistics company to deliver. Commission paintings are shipped after the paint has become touch-dry and one layer of a protective varnish has been applied (allow 10-14 days) and the after the full balance has been paid. *Please enquire for international delivery.
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FramingArtworks are unframed. However, framing can make a big difference to the appearance of the work, so I am happy to advise on this, or arrange it.
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PricesPrices depend on size, complexity and level of finish required from the commission. UK delivery is free. Standard size: 16 inch x 20 inch (40.5cm x 51cm) and composition (to include face and partial body e.g. 1/2 body with hand) in my signature style starts at £600. Anymore (more hands, feet, environment, non-standard size, more detailed level of finish) will take longer to create and will cost a bit more. Travel, photoshoot (in person or via zoom), sharing your artwork as prints and/or framing (if required) are not included, but please let me know if any of these are of interest and I will get back to you with an idea of what is possible.
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Commissions returns policyBefore you commission art, I take you through a process to ensure that it will be everything you want from a portrait painting. There is also the opportunity to feedback during the creation process. Making sure you are comfortable before we start and during, is important because once the commissioned painting is purchased, it cannot be returned.
Collectors guide
Useful information about buying prints and artwork online.
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About prints
Prints look almost identical to the original, or I might create an embellished print* from an original artwork.
These are fine art (Giclee) reproductions printed on highest quality paper using lightfast pigment inks. With the right care* prints are resistant to weathering and fading meaning they should look fabulous for a very long time. Prints comes with a certificate of authenticity.
* An embellished print is a reproduction which includes added thoughtful, specific detail that has been added by me on top of the of the existing original artwork.
*A general recommendation for protecting and preserving prints is to frame them behind glass and display them away from direct sunlight and moisture.
How to purchase prints
I release new prints to my mailing list a few times a year, usually as a series, or as single artworks. My mailing list is notified beforehand so collectors can be ready to secure a piece at its release date.
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How to purchase original art
I usually retain some original paintings for exhibition purposes, but when they do become available, either as single or multiple works, my mailing list is notified beforehand so collectors can be ready to secure a piece at its release date.
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UK deliveries
Collection from CT14 by appointment is welcome by appointment.
Otherwise UK delivery is free.
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Small prints (e.g. 10" x 8") are packaged flat and I arrange delivery for you. Larger prints are wrapped in glassine paper and rolled in a sturdy art-grade postal tube and I arrange delivery for you.
I package original paintings myself using cardboard and recycled/reused bubble-wrap for protection and I arrange delivery for you.
Artwork purchased online is sent by couriered within 7-10 working days (I do not hold stock and prints are ordered on demand from a third-party supplier).
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International shipping
Artwork can be shipped internationally, but may take longer to arrive depending on where you are.
You, the buyer, are responsible for paying any import duties, customs charges or taxes which are applied by the destination country. These types of charges are completely out of my control and I accept no responsibility for them.
Worldwide shipping is invoiced separately after purchase and before your artwork is shipped. If the shipping invoice is not settled in 14 days your payment for the artwork will be refunded and the sale cancelled.
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Feel free to reach out with your shipping address and size for a shipping estimate prior to purchasing online (although I cannot tell you how much any customs costs might be unfortunately).
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Framing
All prints are supplied unmounted and unframed. Mounts and frames are represented on this website for visual purposes only.
However, framing provides protection and make a big difference to the appearance of work.
The print itself is printed to size with a white area (1.5 cms / 0.59 inches - 2..5cm / 1 inch) around the print should you wish to put it in a mount and frame its best to have this white area. You may trim this white area off if you need it to fit the frame exactly or you can email me at contact@mariaunderwoodartist.com to request this with your order, however please allow always a 1-2mm discrepancy in the trimming process.
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Returns policy
Before purchasing artwork online please take time to carefully read the listing descriptions. These are written to be as informative as possible to give you the information you need to confidently choose a piece of art for your home. If you are concerned about colour variations please check colours on different screens (colours may vary slightly in person), check sizes, lead times for delivery etc. I use a professional printing service to capture my original artworks as accurately and true-to life as possible.
All sales are final, other than in exceptional circumstances. Please contact me directly if you have any concerns.
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Copyright
All copyright and reproduction rights remain the property of the artist, Maria Underwood.
Still have questions?
The process of buying prints and original artwork online can come with many questions. Hopefully most of them are answered here. But if there is anything else you would like to find out your'e welcome to email me at contact@mariaunderwoodartist.com or head over to the Contact page and send me a message. I will usually answer you within 1-2 working days and am happy to help.