Commissions

Commissioned Drawings

Hand-drawn graphite portraits are a unique, one-of-a-kind gift that can be treasured for generations.
Whether for a birthday, anniversary, milestone or memorial, a hand-drawn portrait is a beautiful way to remember and celebrate the ones we love.

See my portfolio to view other commissions

Portfolio

Standard Sizes & Prices

4x6
1 subject - $175
  2 subjects - $300

5x7
  1 subject - $375
  2 subjects - $625

8x10
  1 subject - $675
  2 subjects - $950

A 30% deposit will be required to start your commission

Drawing time completion varies depending on complexity of the drawing and other commissions already in progress.

If you are interested in commissioning a hand-drawn portrait, please contact me by email me at megan.mctavish87@gmail.com

Gift Certificates Available

Do you want to give a graphite portrait as a gift but you're not sure what photo to choose or you'd like the recipient to choose what they want drawn? A Gift Certificate is the perfect solution.

Please provide me with the following information

The NAME of the recipient.

HOW MUCH* the gift certificate will be for
The DATE** you are planning of giving the certificate to the recipient.

After receiving payment, you will get an email from me with the Gift Certificate, an invoice, and a document with information about redeeming their gift certificate.

If the recipient chooses a larger drawing or more than one subject, they can use your gift certificate toward the final cost of their portrait.

* You can purchase a gift certificate at any cost, it does not have to reflect a specific size or number of subject above, but you are welcome to if that is what you'd like to do.

**Gift Certificates are valid for one calendar year after the date given.

Working From Photographs

SO IMPORTANT
The quality of the photograph greatly dictates the final drawing! I can't draw what I can't see.

The higher the quality photo, the better the drawing will turn out. 300dpi is ideal, but not 100% necessary.

If you do not have a photo in mind and would like my opinion, please send me a few options to look at. I will review them and let you know which one will become the best drawing.

THINGS TO THINK ABOUT WHEN CHOOSING A PHOTO
Disclaimer: I understand not everyone has access to a professional camera. However, our smartphones take pretty good pictures these days and these tips can help you pick the best photo out of the ones you do have.

Distance

The subject of the photo should be larger in the photo frame (close-up) instead of smaller (further away). The smaller they are, the harder it is to see what they look like.

Clarity

The clarity of a photo (how blurry or clear it is) can make the drawing process easy or difficult.
NO FILTERS - I love a good photo filter, but filtered and blurry images are VERY difficult to use as reference images and rarely produce a good drawing.

Special Circumstances

If your photo of choice is blurry or far away, due to the age of the photograph, a filter, etc., I am happy to draw it. However, please be aware that a drawing from a less detailed photo has the potential to not come out as high quality as some of the other drawings in my portfolio

My Observation of Two Reference Images
Both images were drawn on the same size paper

This reference photo has an Instagram filter, some strong highlights on one face and not many highlights or shadows on the other.

This reference photo was taken at by a professional photographer.

When zoomed in, it's harder to see the definition in her eye, her eyelashes and the shadows around her eye and bridge of her nose.

When zoomed in you can see his eyelashes and even the little hairs around his ears.