Animal Pencil Commission FAQS

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How do I book a custom pencil drawing commission?

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Step 1: Choose your medium and size

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Decide which medium and size you would like for your drawing. If you would like a custom size, I can provide a quote.

Step 2: Choose your reference photo

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Select your favourite photograph of your animal. Ideally, this should have good lighting, clear detail and plenty of visible texture in the fur, allowing me to capture as much detail as possible in your drawing.

Step 3: Submit your enquiry

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Complete my contact form and email your chosen reference photo to info@rachaelrobinsonart.com.

Step 4: Reference photo review

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I will review your booking enquiry and reference photo to ensure it is suitable for a detailed pencil drawing. If the photograph isn't quite right, I will offer guidance or ask whether you have any additional images that may be more suitable.

Step 5: Secure your booking

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Once your reference photo has been approved, I will send you an invoice for a 20% non-refundable booking fee, which will be deducted from your final balance. Once this has been paid, your booking will be confirmed and I will provide an estimated timeframe for when your drawing is due to begin.

Please note that this is an estimated timeframe rather than a guaranteed start date. I always do my best to stick to my estimated timeframes, but occasionally delays may occur.

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Step 6: Final payment and creation

When your drawing is approximately 1–2 weeks away from beginning, I will send you an invoice for the remaining balance. Full payment must be received before I begin creating your drawing.

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Will I get to see my pencil drawing coming together?

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Yes! I take lots of photos, sometimes timelapse videos or short form videos for my usual social media content and share this with you first. If it is a surprise, I won't use this content until the pencil drawing has been completed.

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How long will a professional pencil drawing last?

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I use professional-grade pencils and paper to create my realistic animal portraits. With the right care and display conditions, your drawing is designed to be enjoyed for many years to come.

I always recommend keeping your artwork away from direct sunlight and displaying it behind suitable protective glazing to help preserve it.

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What is the difference between graphite and coloured pencil animal portraits?

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The main differences are the medium and the size of the drawing.

Graphite pencil drawings are created using different shades of grey, allowing me to build depth, texture and detail through light and shadow. Coloured pencil drawings use layers of colour to bring your animal to life, capturing their individual markings, tones and details.

Coloured pencil drawings are naturally more expensive than graphite drawings due to the materials used and the time involved. The size you choose will also affect the price.

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Do you offer framing for pencil drawings?

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I do not personally offer framing, but I work with a local framing business called Terrafusion, who have been my personal framers since 2021.

If you are local to Basildon, Essex, or the surrounding areas, I can organise framing for you. If you require framing outside of the local area, additional postage costs will apply due to the weight and insurance required.

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Can you create a pencil drawing in time for a birthday or special occasion such as a wedding gift/bridesmaid gift etc?

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I always do my best to accommodate everyone's requests, so if you have a particular deadline, it is best to get in touch as early as possible.

Whether I can fit you in will depend on my current waiting list, the size of the drawing and the time needed to complete it. I cannot guarantee availability for a specific date, but I will always let you know what is possible when you enquire.

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How and when do I pay for my pencil drawing commission?

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For UK customers, payments are made via BACS. International customers can pay via PayPal, with any applicable fees taken into consideration.

To secure your place on my waiting list, you will initially pay a 20% non-refundable booking fee. This is deducted from your final balance.

When your drawing is approximately 1–2 weeks away from beginning, I will send you an invoice for the remaining balance. Your drawing will not begin until full payment has been received.

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Can you draw multiple pets together if they are in different photographs?

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Absolutely! If you have several animals you would like included in one drawing but don't have a photograph of them together, I can work from separate reference photographs.

Where possible, I recommend choosing photographs in which your animals have a similar pose and are viewed from a similar angle. This helps me bring them together more naturally in the finished drawing and make the best use of the paper.

I can help guide you through choosing suitable photographs to achieve the best result.

I charge an additional 20% per additional subject on the page. 

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Can you draw wildlife or a wild animal for my home?

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Absolutely! I love creating realistic wildlife pencil drawings, and I am happy to discuss a particular animal or idea you have in mind.

As long as I can find a suitable reference photograph that captures the details I need, I can work with you to create a piece that fits your vision. I work with five incredible photographers and also have access to paid reference photographs, giving me a wider range of options when sourcing suitable images.

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Can you keep my pencil drawing a surprise until I have gifted it?

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Of course! I completely understand that some drawings are special gifts, and you may not want the finished piece shared before the recipient has received it.

Just let me know when you book that your drawing is a surprise gift, and I will make sure I do not share it on my social media until you have given me the go-ahead.

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How long does it take to complete a custom pencil drawing?

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This depends on the size, medium and complexity of the drawing. Some pieces take considerably longer than others, particularly when there is a lot of detail in the fur, markings or background.

I do not rush my work. I take the time needed to build up the layers, depth and detail so that you receive a finished piece you can treasure.

I will provide an estimated timeframe when your booking is confirmed, and I will let you know when your drawing is approaching the start of the queue.

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Can I change the reference photo or request changes once my drawing has started?

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This depends on the changes you have in mind. If you would like something removed from your reference photograph, such as a headcollar, this can usually be accommodated, provided it is possible to do so realistically.

However, once I have started drawing, I cannot guarantee that changes to the composition, pose or other significant details will be possible. Pencil drawings are built up gradually in layers, so making substantial changes partway through is not possible.

If you have anything specific in mind, it is always best to discuss it with me before I begin.

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Are there any hidden costs when ordering a pencil drawing?

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No, everything is listed on my website, so you can see the prices for the available mediums and sizes before enquiring.

The only time the final cost may differ is if additional postage or shipping costs apply, for example if you request a custom size or require special delivery arrangements. Any additional costs will be discussed with you before proceeding.

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Can you draw my pet from a photograph if they have passed away?

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Absolutely. I understand how special it can be to have a drawing of an animal who is no longer with you, and I am always happy to discuss memorial pet portraits.

You do not need to have one perfect photograph. If you have several photographs that show different details, markings or features, I can help you work out whether they are suitable references for a drawing.

The most important thing is having enough clear detail to capture your animal as accurately as possible.

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If you have a question that has not been answered above, please get in touch!