Commissioned Art All commissioned portraits begin with a high quality digital photo. The more detail and natural lighting the better. Each scratchboard piece takes 4 - 6 weeks to complete. There are thousands of tiny scratches to reveal the light beneath the india ink so it is a very slow necessary process. Also, there is an in-depth research for the proper symbolism and/or mandala to be created for your beloved pet. After doing sketches to provide the best meaningful symbolic/mandala style to the portrait, it then is applied to the scratchboard which includes many more detailed scratches to achieve the desired composition. Each original portrait is done with archival Ampersand scratchboard that lasts 200 plus years. It is best if including a design pattern to work in a minimal size 16" x 20" because of all the design work taking space with the portrait. It is possible to do a portrait only (with no symbolism added) in a smaller size but only as a head portrait not a full body. If you desire color it is applied after scratching and scratched again to achieve a subtle effect. I always color the eyes even in a black and white portrait because the eyes reveal the soul of the shining spirit. All commissioned portraits need a 25% nonrefundable deposit. Commissioned portraits are not resalable as a Giclee. Prices have a range depending on in-depth design details. Prices below are approximate with consideration of detail with design patterns. Additional charge for multiple animals. Every artwork receives on the back of the art a Certificate of Authenticity and the symbolic interpretation to that particular portrait. All are available for framing with additional charge. Shipping charges additional. 5 x 7 = $ 450 8 x 10 = $ 675 9 x 12 = $ 800 11 x 14 = $ 950 16 x 20 = $1400 18 x 24 = $1700
Memorial/ Keepsake Boxes
Treasure your memories with scratchboard Pet Portraits as keepsake or urn boxes. Designs on wooden boxes are created individually to reflect the personality, breed or love of each pet. Scratchboard art is contrasting art utilizing small various needle type tools to create thousands of detailed layered scratches that are placed upon UV archival ink and 1/8” claybord. There is then more layers of color and scratching to give more tonal depth and details. Each commission box begins with submitted clear photos and some information about your beloved pet emailed to “ethnictails@yahoo.com”. It takes 3- 4 weeks for completion. There is a nonrefundable 30% deposit when ordering. Sizes available 5’ x 7”, 6” x 9 1/2”, 7 1/4” x 10 1/2” and 8 5/8” x 11 3/4” Prices range $450 - $900 depending on size detail and number of subjects.
I now have heirloom custom made boxes created by a master wood craftsman that are handmade with various beautiful woods. The hinges are even hand done in wood. There is no metal anywhere on the boxes. The boxes begin at $500 depending on size and wood. The Scratchboard art lid is framed within the wood. The additional cost is the above cost prices of the scratchboard art.