With your photograph as a reference, I will focus on your pet's personality and distinctive characteristics to create your pet's portrait. I use highest-quality artist's watercolor and gouache paints selected for lightfastness, rich color and beautiful vibrance. My painting style combines traditional realism with expressionistic, visible brushwork. For gouache paintings, I start with a bright, warm underpainting and a simplified background of one to two colors. For watercolor paintings, I will either leave the background white, or you may choose a background wash of 1-2 colors. Please let me know in the message section what your background preference is.

Watercolors are painted on archival Aquabord surfaces mounted to cradled birch panels to create a painting of 1" depth, and likewise I create gouache (opaque watercolor) paintings on gessoed board, mounted on cradled birch panels. These panels don't require framing and are ready to hang with the simple addition of framing wire, or can be hung directly on the wall or set on a shelf right away. I varnish all paintings for extra durability, and buff the surface with Dorland's wax, creating a beautiful matte finish. This durable waterproof surface allows the watercolor or gouache painting to be hung directly on the wall, without framing behind glass! However, all paintings can be framed if you like - it's up to you! If framing, I recommend a floater frame designed for gallery-wrapped canvases and cradled boards, to accommodate a depth of 1 inch.

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To commission a custom animal portrait, please use the form below. In the message section, describe your desired portrait and attach your favorite image. If you'd like to send additional images to choose from, please email me: squallflowerart@gmail.com. Please be sure to select your choice of either a watercolor or gouache painting. When we've established your portrait details and payment is received via PayPal, your gouache or watercolor portrait will be completed and shipped within three to four weeks.

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I look forward to creating your custom artwork!