Contact details and FAQ about pet portrait paintings by artist Anne Zoutsos

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Contact and Frequently Asked Questions

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN ACRYLIC AND WATERCOLOUR PAINTINGS?

A watercolour painting is worked on paper - I use Saunders Waterford acid free 100% .cotton rag. This paper is wetted and stretched before use to give it a firm, flat finish. Watercolours need to be framed behind glass under a mount. The mount is needed to keep the paper away from the glass to avoid damaging its surface. The frame needs to be firmly sealed at the back with brown gummed tape - not masking or sticky tape - to keep the painting as dry as possible and prevent degredation and wrinkling of the paper.

When looking at the size of the painting you should bear in mind that a 3" strip from around the edges of the painting will be covered by the mount. The surface of acrylic paintings is much more robust and so they do not need mounting or framing behind glass. Acrylics are painted either on masonite(hardboard) or stretched canvas and the painting extends to the edge of the support. My acrylics are painted in even more layers than my watercolours and this, in addition to the larger surface covered, results in them taking longer to complete.

The style of painting is similar in both watercolour or acrylics.

HOW LONG WILL IT TAKE TO COMPLETE MY PAINTING?

As a general rule you can expect to receive your portrait within 4 - 6 weeks. A more accurate estimation can be given when you order your painting. If you have an urgent deadline, just let me know and I can often re-arrange my work schedule to accommodate your requirements..

MY PET IS NO LONGER WITH ME AND I ONLY HAVE A FEW SNAPSHOTS OF HIM/HER - CAN YOU HELP ME?

In this instance, I would suggest that you either email the photographs to me or send them by post and I will evaluate them to see if it will be possible to paint a portrait from them. You can be sure that I will do my very best to help you. All photographs sent by post are returned - by special delivery if requested.

It also happens that sometimes only poor photographs are available for happier reasons - perhaps a lovely surprise present. Again, I will do all I can to help you. If it is a surprise, don't forget to let me know - I have had two people trying to commission a painting of the same dog for the same person on more than one occasion!

CAN I HAVE MORE THAN ONE PET IN A PAINTING?

Of course! This is no problem at all and the painting will normally be completed from separate photos of the pets, so no need to worry about trying to get them to all sit together. Where possible, it is helpful to have a photograph of the pets together, not to work fro, but just to give me an idea of the size difference.

IS THERE A PRICE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN HEAD STUDIES AND FULL BODY PAINTINGS?

No. There is no difference in the time it takes me to paint a head study or a full body and so the price is the same for both.

I'M WORRIED ABOUT ORDERING ONLINE - SUPPOSE I DON'T LIKE THE PAINTING?

Although I fully expect you to be delighted with your painting, all of my work is fully guaranteed. In the unlikely event of you not wishing to keep the painting, the full purchase price, less postage, will be refunded on return of the painting to me. No awkward questions will be asked as I only want my paintings to be owned by those who are really thrilled with them, so you can order with complete confidence.

I'VE LEFT IT TOO LATE TO ORDER A PAINTING - WHAT CAN I DO?

In these circumstances, a gift voucher is the perfect answer. Please see the order page.

ARE THE PAINTINGS FRAMED?

This is up to you. If you would prefer a framed painting, let me know and I will email you a photograph of the moulding.

CAN I SEE THE DRAWING OF MY PET BEFORE YOU BEGIN THE PAINTING/

Yes, just let me know and I will email you a scam of the drawing before I begin the painting. If possible I prefer to email a scan of the painting when it is finished for your approval before sending it to you.

DO I PAY NOW?

No, payment is due on completion of the painting through secure online ordering, by credit card via Paypal or by cheque sent to my home address. Once your payment has cleared, your painting will be despatched.

HOW DO I CONTACT YOU?

You can contact me by email at info@azpaintings.com

by telephone: +44 (0) 1483 853394

or by post to:

Mrs Anne Zoutsos

Hithe, 15 Holford Road, Merrow, Guilford, Surrey, GU1 2QE