Fairy, Angel, Spiritual and Fantasy Art by Carmen Keys

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Commission Info

GENERAL INFO
PORTRAIT GUIDELINES
MEDIUMS & SUPPORTS I USE
PRICES
SHIPPING

GENERAL COMMISSION INFO:

I am delighted that you are considering commissioning me for some artwork! I do both illustrations and portraits, please note that I work in a fantasy-themed style and my work is at its best when it is done as such. Generally I work in watercolors and occasionally in acrylics.
I require 50% of the commission price up front as a deposit and to cover the cost of materials.
Here is how the process works: after you have emailed or sent copies of the photos you'd like done (and I can make a group portrait from several photographs), I make pencil sketches and then email or snail-mail a copy of the sketches to you for approval. We will figure out if there are any themes and colors you'd like, such as faeries, mermaids, heroic tales, favorite flowers and pastimes,etc. I make changes as needed on the sketch until it is how you like it, and then I start painting! I always email a scan of the finished painting before sending, to see if any changes need done. Depending upon how large/complex the commission is and how busy I am, paintings can take from around 1-6 weeks. The winter holidays tend to be busy times of the year. Please email me for a better idea of my current schedule.
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PORTRAIT GUIDELINES:

Faces in photos must be at least 2" high to render a good likeness (preferably larger). The better/clearer the photograph, the better the portrait will be. You may send good quality copies of photographs by mail or scans by email (you can obtain these at Kinko's or use a scanner, for example), and it is nice (but not required) to send a few examples of the person's face. If you send original photographs, I will be sure to mail them back to you. I can do composites of different images, as well. I will gladly turn anyone into a faery, elf, medieval prince/princess, etc, dressed in lovely clothing! I am also more than happy to do pet portraits. The prices below are for *one likeness* per size--extra people in the portrait will cost $10 more each (this doesn't apply for non-portraits).
See the Portrait Gallery for examples of portraits I have done in the past.

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MEDIUMS & SUPPORTS I USE:

- I use either watercolors (which is what most of my work on this website is) or acrylic paints.

- Watercolor paper (100% cotton rag, 140 lb., acid free)

- Canvas sheets (these are unstretched, frame them as you would a painting on paper)

* If you choose acrylics, I can do them either on the watercolor paper or the canvas sheets -- except for ACEO art cards, which work out best for me on paper. The watercolor paper will give a smoother texture, while the canvas will of course be more textured. Here are examples of acrylics on watercolor paper:
Wingrider
Fey Gypsy
And some examples of acrylics on canvas:
Hamadryad
Keeper of Light

- If you are interested in something else (such as a stretched canvas) just let me know! Stretched canvases will cost more because of the higher cost of the materials and shipping.
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WATERCOLOR / ACRYLIC CURRENT PRICES
As of June 2007
(Non-commercial on paper or unstretched canvas, 50% required up front):

2.5x3.5 (ACEO)....$35

5x7.....................$65

6x8.....................$85

8x10...................$160

9x12...................$210

11x14..................$260

12x16..................$360

More than one face in a portrait..........$10 each additional face. If you have a different size in mind, just email me with your ideas.

Shipping is free for commissions, and includes insurance.
*PLEASE NOTE: There is a 7.25% sales tax added onto commission prices for California residents as of 3/8/2007.

A COPYRIGHT NOTE:
Please note that I retain all reproduction rights to commissioned pieces (see my Copyright page), however I do not make prints of portrait commissions without your approval to preserve your privacy. Also, if you are looking to use the image commercially (such as for a logo), please email me as the prices will be higher.