Frequently Asked Questions
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Why do you use mounted canvas instead of stretched canvas?Mounted canvas offers greater stability and durability over time compared to stretched canvas. It won’t sag or require stretching.
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Can I have more than one person/pet in my painting?Each portrait is meant to highlight a single subject artistically and not be a painted version of a family photo. That being said, you can do multiple subjects in a "series" of paintings (at a discounted price) which will have a matching style and background for all the portraits. Here are a couple of examples:
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Is digital art less "valid" than traditional media?"Detractors of digital art often see it through the lens of what traditional art is "supposed" to be like. Digital art is not just a new medium, but could be considered a new way of thinking about art. It offers advantages which give us the opportunity to do things that would not be possible without it. We can quickly and efficiently create a piece for you that will be professional and archival, but also timely and affordable. Don't forget that since much of the work is done on the computer, we can create multiple versions (and sizes) of the same subject. In order for it to be a beautiful artistic piece, there are still principles that need to be mastered by the artist for digital paintings, such as composition, color, perspective, anatomy, and lighting. Our artists employ years of experience with these principles and will make your portrait a unique work of art, guaranteed!
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How long before I can have my painting?It is best if we have at least a week to create your painting, but we can do it as quickly as 4 days (standard delivery) or 2-3 days (expedited delivery... rush fees may apply). Please note that we will deliver in person to Utah County/Salt Lake City valleys, but shipping fees will apply outside of that area. We cannot guarantee on-time delivery for any of the postal services.
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What sort of reference photo should I provide?We work best off of clear (high-resolution) images of the subject. If the photo is out of focus or low-quality, we will not have enough information to create a recognizable likeness and may request that you give a clearer photo.
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Will I be able to give the artist direction?You will be able to offer some insights about the subject at the beginning of the process, which the artist will use to compose the portrait. Before moving on to the final painting stage, the artist will present you with a comp for your approval.
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Will you do custom sizes?We have optimized the process of creating portraits for efficiency and quality. Typically, we do not accommodate custom sizes or multiple subjects in one painting. However, for special situations, we may consider exceptions. Please contact us at inspirepaintings1@gmail.com for further details.
Mixed Media
We use what is called "mixed media" in designing your paintings. Specifically, that means we create (not auto-generate) them using digital painting software to start, output the image to canvas using giclée technology, continue to paint with other media, including acrylic, pastel, ink, and pencil, then finish with a varnish which has UV protection.
Let's be clear, while the process we employ does use the computer as a tool, the paintings are not generated using a filter or effect. Each piece is crafted by a trained artist who treats the screen as a canvas and the stylus as a brush, which gives them the ability to take advantage of many benefits:
Hand-crafted
Benefits of Technology
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Time - Because we don't have to wait for paint to dry (and also thanks to the UNDO key) we can create a painting much faster than traditional media, which often means we can do it in time for your service
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Cost - Time equals money, which means an added savings, and we pass that along to you
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Accuracy - Using the computer as a tool means that the likenesses will remain true, all while maintaining an artistic and painterly style
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Multiple Pieces - Since much of the work is done digitally, it means that the same paintings can be produced multiple times at different sizes, making it so all family members can have their own version (although each piece will look slightly different, because we are using traditional media as well)
