Karen Sperling’s Art , Photography and Prose
The Milan Pets Collection
Painting by Karen Sperling based on a photo by Dogpatch Pet Portraits
The Milan-style pet portraits are an even more paint-enhanced approach, featuring soft, lightly painted pets set against atmospheric backgrounds. Click the images below to see larger examples of paintings in this style.
Portraits — Pets
The information below should answer many of your questions about commissioning a painting based on a photo by Karen Sperling. Please click here to email Karen Sperling with additional questions.
The Commission Process
Investment & Sizes
• Paintings based on your photos range from 8" x 10" to 30" x 40"+. Paintings start at $350 for an 8" x 10" with one subject. Typical investments are around $1,500 to $4,000 for larger paintings.
• Additional Subjects: Add 30% for each additional subject, including pets.
• Photos as candidates for paintings: High resolution, clear photos work best. Paintings based on old photos are cool, too. Add $75 per hour to restore faded or damaged photos for painting.
• Edits: Requested edits of the painting are included at no charge for the first 3 hours of editing time. After that, a $75 fee per hour will be charged for edits.
• Deposit: A 50% non-refundable deposit is required to begin.
• Balance: The remaining 50% is due upon your approval of the final painting, prior to shipping.
• Shipping: Insured shipping is quoted separately based on size and location.
• Timeline: Please allow 5 weeks for the creation of your painting, not including shipping time.
• Gift Certificates: Available in any amount—a perfect way to give a legacy gift while allowing the recipient to choose their favorite photo.
Getting Started
• Submit your photo you’d like as a painting using the form below.
• Fill in the “Give us more details” section with a few details about the person, pet, or place, or any other requests, like desired color scheme.
• We’ll discuss the ideal size, style, and any specific artistic goals for your painting.
• You’ll receive a quote for your commissioned painting. If you agree, you’ll send a 50% deposit.
Final Steps
• Artist's Proof: You will receive a low-resolution digital file of the final painting.
• You may request changes at no charge for up to 3 hours of editing time. After that, there will be a fee of $75 per hour for changes.
• After you approve a final low resolution file of your painting, you will submit the second, 50% payment of the commissioned painting fee, editing fees you may have added and shipping charges that will be determined when the painting is ready to be sent. Once the final payment is received, the painting will be shipped.
Response Time: You will hear back within 24 hours after submitting the form. Please write to Karen Sperling with questions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Is this AI?
Q. How do I know if my photograph will work as a painting?
Q. I have a photo from a photo session with a professional photographer that I would like to turn into a painting.
A. It depends. Karen Sperling’s paintings are painted by hand based on photographs. If you’d like a specific look or scene with AI, she might be able to do it for you. If, on the other hand, you are completely opposed to AI, then no problem, the painting can be painted by hand without it. In any case, the final painting is a hand-painted giclée canvas print embellished with oils, which make even AI source paintings unique, one-of-a-kind artwork.
A. Clear, high-resolution photos with good lighting work best. However, as an expert in photo restoration, Karen Sperling might be able to work with faded or old heirloom photos to bring them back to life as a vibrant painting, depending on the photo.
Professional photographs work great as painting sources, but photographers own their photos’ copyrights. Just make sure you have the permission of the photographer who owns the copyright to have a painting done based on the photo.
Q. Is the painting safe during shipping?
A. Yes. The painting is professionally wrapped and insured to make sure it arrives at your door in pristine condition.
Q. How long does a painting take?
A. 5 weeks, not including shipping.
Q. What if I need a painting sooner than 5 weeks?
A. A 50% rush charge is added to the total cost to complete the painting in 4 weeks. A 100% rush charge is added to the total cost to complete the painting in 3 weeks. The painting can’t be completed in less than 3 weeks because it needs drying time
Q. Is the artwork framed or unframed?
A. Your painting is delivered as a gallery-grade archival canvas, which is standard-sized and ready for any professional frame of your choice.
Q. Who owns the rights to the final image?
A. You own the physical painting and may display it privately. I retain the copyright. You may not use the painting for any other purpose without permission.