CUSTOM PORTRAITS

Turn snapshots into painted memories.

PPA Master Artist Danica Barreau immortalizes your beloved moments and loved ones in stunning, handcrafted portraits. From pets to family members, each piece is a testament to the bonds that define us.

Experience the seamless blend of modern digital artistry and classic hand-painted charm. Each portrait is meticulously crafted in a digital format, then brought to life with acrylic paints on canvas, ensuring a one-of-a-kind masterpiece that captures the essence of your beloved.

what can I do for you?

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  • Initial Consultation and Photo Selection

    • Contact me via email, phone, or through my website to discuss your vision, preferences, and the subject of the portrait.

    • Establish the size, style, and specific requirements for the artwork.

    • Send your high-quality digital photographs and discuss any specific changes or enhancements desired.

    Creation of the Digital Mock-up

    • I will create a digital mock-up based on our discussions and your chosen photo. This mock-up serves as a preliminary sketch that outlines the composition and basic color scheme.

    Client Review and Feedback

    • You review the digital mock-up and provide feedback or approve the mock-up to proceed.

    • Adjustments are made based on your feedback to ensure it meets your expectations.

    Payment Process

    • An invoice is provided for the painting. Payments plans are available but a minimum deposit of $200 is required.

    Artistic Creation

    • I begin the digital painting process, carefully crafting the portrait to capture the nuances and personality of the subject.

    Final Review and Adjustments

    • Once the digital painting is completed, you will have the opportunity to review it and any minor final adjustments can be made to ensure the artwork matches your vision.

    Finalizing the Artwork

    • The completed digital portrait is printed on high-quality canvas and hand embellishments are added, enhancing texture and depth.

    Final Payment and Delivery

    • Any remaining balance is due upon completion before shipping or delivery.

    • The artwork is securely packaged and shipped to your designated address.

    For a visual overview of this process, watch the video below!

LATEST WORK

FAQ

  • The cost of my paintings is determined by the size and complexity of the image and if you want custom framing. The average clients spends about $700 but there is a wide range of options. Prices include painting, printing, and shipping anywhere in the mainland US.

    Additional charges include new detailed backgrounds, frame upgrades, international shipping, more than 2 subject upgrade, and Ohio sales tax.

    My full price list is here: pouka.com/pricing

  • It can take anywhere from 4-8 weeks to deliver a finished product. Everything depends on my commission workload, the size and complexity of your commission, and my vendor deadlines. If you need your commission for a specific date, don't wait!

  • Digital painting is a method in which the artist uses digital media to create an image which sometimes has the look of traditional painting. This is not a filter. It takes hours to bring out details in the reference photographs, clone out backgrounds, and then meticulously build up layers of digital “paint” with different-sized brushstrokes and textures. Each image is absolutely unique.

    IS IT REALLY ART?

    Absolutely! There are many different way to create a piece of art, from oils to watercolors, papier-mâché to ceramics... digital painting is just a different technique. It requires years of practice and experimentation and a solid knowledge of how the software reacts to your input. We use different digital brushes and techniques to achieve the results we’re looking for.

    While there are many powerful programs out there that promise to convert your photographs into paintings, no computer algorithm can replicate the thoughtful brushstrokes of a digital artist. Proof of that is that each artist has their own unique stye that is identifiable by the people familiar with their work.

    Whether you choose a digital painter or watercolor painter or felt artist to create your heirloom artpiece is dependent entirely on how you feel about the artist’s style. That fact that the medium is digital should not discourage you - if you love it, that’s all that matters!

  • There are usually three poses that translate into a lovely finished product:

    * a headshot with the subject looking directly at the viewer

    * a headshot with the subject in profile

    * a full body shot

    Images that show fur/hair/feather detail are best where the subject is close and not in the far distance. I can add in any background so if you have a good close up shot but prefer the scenic background in another shot, send them both along!

    Please send any original files without cropping. Some email programs will lower the file size if the image is pasted into the email body so please ensure that you’re attaching the original file to the email instead. If you have a lot of large images, please ask me for a dropbox link so that you can upload them without worrying about file limitations.

    Visit the portfolio page to get a feel for the type of images that would work best for your painting or [read this blog post]

  • Yes, absolutely. I can both remove or add backgrounds. I can remove backgrounds and replace them with a neutral painted effect, which is especially effective for head and shoulder studies.

    I can also add a new background, compositing in a different scene, for an additional charge. I also have a portfolio of pre-painted backgrounds that can be used for no additional charge! You can see them here: https://pouka.com/backgrounds

  • Nope! I paint people, cats, frogs, landscapes, houses... whatever you want! If you've got a decent photograph of it, I can paint it.

  • I accept credit or debit cards, PayPal, cash, or checks.

    Payment plans are available with a $200 deposit. The finished painting will not ship until the last payment is made.

  • I absolutely do. If you don’t love your painting at any point in the process, I will refund your entire purchase. If you have received your finished product and are dissatisfied, I will ask that you ship it back to me, at your cost, before processing your refund. Make sure to keep your packing materials for any potential returns!

IS THIS COMMISSION A GIFT?

Maybe you don’t have the best photo to use as a reference but would like to gift a painting to a friend or family member. Purchase a gift voucher to allow the recipient to choose their own reference images for a painting.

Gift Vouchers are available in any denomination and can be used as a deposit if the recipient would like to upgrade sizing and framing!