Custom Painting From Your Photo
“5 stars!! The entire process from first contact, communication during the process to the packaging and shipment was flawless.” — Happy Customer
WHY ORDER FROM ME
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100% hand-painted digital artwork by PPA Master Artist Danica Barreau, with 20 years of portrait experience. Paintings are printed and framed professionally using high-quality archival materials.
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.
Paintings are printed on your choice of fine art paper or canvas. Canvas paintings are further embellished with acrylics to enhance brushstrokes and provide texture. For information about the difference between paper and canvas, read this.
11x14 canvas with a walnut float frame.
ORDERING PROCESS
ORDER & UPLOAD
Order your painting on this page or, if you have more questions, email me at danica@pouka.com, or message me on my FB business page. Tell me a story about who you’d like painted. Send me ALL the photos! You can upload them here, before you “add to cart”, or use the Reference Image Upload page.
MOCK-UP & INVOICE
We’ll take the reference images you’ve provided and make a digital mock-up showing color and composition. Once you approve the mock-up and decide on printing options, the painting starts!
PAINT & PROOF
I’m a digital artist which means your painting is created digitally. Once it’s painted, I’ll send you a proof - a small digital file - of the finished painting for you to approve.
PRINT & SHIP
The painting file will be sent to a trusted vendor to print on beautiful fine art paper or canvas. If desired, I’ll also place an order with my local framer. Once completed, your painting will be delivered right to your door!
You can upload your reference images below. If you add a painting to your cart and forget to upload reference images, you can visit the Reference Image Upload page at any time to upload the images - the submission form is not tied to an order. If I receive an order without images, rest assured that I will reach out to request them from you ASAP.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Custom framing is available for all paintings.
Unframed 8x10 and 11x14 fine art prints are shipped in a gift box.
Framed 8x10 and 11x14 fine art prints are matted and framed.
PHOTOGRAPHY TIPS
Take your pet's photo in natural light, preferably outdoors. The best time is on a bright overcast day but not in direct sunlight as this can cast some unflattering images.
Turn your flash 'OFF'. Flash causes a number of problems and looks very unflattering. It often masks out a lot of detail, causes unnatural shadows and colors, and can often result in the dreaded red-eye or eye glowing effect.
Take the photo at eye level with your pet. Photos looking down on your pet look unflattering and unnatural to the eye. The best angles are with your pet looking straight at you or with their head slightly tilted to one side looking past the camera.
For more tips and tricks, check out this blog post!
ABOUT ME
Danica Barreau is an internationally award-winning pet photographer, digital artist, and author. She lives in Grove City, Ohio with a multitude of dogs and cats, and a very special school teacher.
EXPERIENCE
I have been creating pet portraits for over 20 years in multiple mediums including photography, graphite and colored pencils, watercolors, and digital paint. I’m a certified professional photographer and my knowledge of composition, color, and lighting impacts everything I do, including my paintings. I’ve spent the past decade trying out different vendors to find the very best products at a reasonable cost so that your commissioned portrait experience is the absolute best that I can give you.
EDUCATION
I’ve worked hard to get my post-collegiate degrees from the Professional Photographers of America - I’ve been awarded as a Master Artist, a Master Photographer, and a Photographic Craftsman. Those degrees are earned through a combination of educational credits and portfolio reviews that ensure that I’m always innovating and learning. I’ve studied with some of the best digital artists and, since I use a medium that is constantly changing and improving, I have to experiment!
EMPATHY
I have been a pet lover since I opened my eyes. I completely understand the bond and affection that we have for these hairy beasts and it is my honor to try to capture their memory for you to enjoy. I have been owned by over nine dogs and twenty cats and every one of them has impacted me as a person. I was a foster home for nine years and am a passionate advocate for deaf dogs (all three of my English Setters have been bilaterally deaf), rescue, and responsible breeding and ownership.
