Here are the answers to some of the questions I get asked most often.

I have broken them down into sections; the first deals with the general logistics of commissioning an artwork, the second postage - where I can, it's not always possible to give an exact figure. The third section deals with payment and methods of payment and the last section deals with more general information. If your query isn't covered here please don't hesitate to get in touch.

Commissioning an artwork.

I want some art. What do I do now?
How long will my commission take?
Do you do requests? My godchild already has hobbies/a pet/a favourite toy, can you include it in their picture?
Do you illustrate initials or a single letter?
Do you offer a mounting or framing service?
Do you do commercial illustrations?

Postage and packing

Do you ship to anywhere in the world?
Can you ship framed art outside the UK?
I only live just up the road from you - do you deliver locally?
Do you offer a collection service?

Prices

How much is your poster?
How do you price up your name paintings?
This illuminated manuscript-style first letter you mentioned, how much is that?
How much is a mount for my name painting?
How much does a frame cost?
If I order my illustrated name framed does that include the mount, too?
How much will postage cost me outside the UK?
How much will postage cost me within the UK?
I live within 7 miles of Ely how much will delivery cost?
I would like to collect my art from you, how much will collection cost?

Methods of Payment

When will you require payment?
Can I pay in other currencies?
Can I pay on-line?
Can I pay by credit card?
Is my online payment secure?

General Queries

I would like to cancel my commission, can I have a refund?
Do you have a mailing list I could join?
Will you pass my name onto "partners" or other companies?

----------------------------------------------------

Commissioning an artwork.

I want some art. What do I do now?

If you have browsed our gallery and like what you see the first thing you should do is contact me. I would recommend using the contact form in the first instance, then, if you would like to speak to a human being, we can arrange a good time for me to call you.

How long will my commission take?

As long as it says on the quote. No, really! If you have commissioned a name picture, it usually takes about a week - but it depends greatly on the volume of other work ahead of you in the queue and whether or not you want frames and mounts - these can extend the turnaround time as I may have to order materials in to provide them.

Timescales for commissions on fabric goods my also vary, depending on the availability of the raw materials.

This is the reason why I quote. I can take the situation at the time into account, give you a realistic delivery date and then stick to it.

Do you do requests? My godchild already has hobbies/a pet/a favourite toy, can you include it in their picture?

I certainly do. So far these have included numerous boys in Arsenal kit, one in Chelsea kit, a blue elephant, a bespoke letter-by-letter brief of obscure animals for a zoologist's daughter and a portrait of the family pet under d for dog.

Do you illustrate initials or a single letter?

Yep. Sometimes a child's name is so long the godparents go for a more lavishly illustrated first letter - think illuminated manuscript only my style, rather than medieval gothic. I depict initials the same way I draw names. Both fit on a sheet of A4 paper which makes framing and mounting them easier, too. Handy for godparents of the Francesca's and Bartholomew's of this world!

Do you offer a mounting or framing service?

Yes. Usually in two sizes; 12" x 16" for a name on A4 paper - 5 letters or under and 16" x 20" for names on A3 paper - 6 - 10 letters.

Do you do commercial illustrations?

Yes. If you are interested, please contact me to discuss your requirements.

Back

Postage and packing

Do you ship to anywhere in the world?

Yes, I can ship mounted or unmounted artworks pretty much anywhere.

Can you ship framed art outside the UK?

I can but I don't recommend it outside the EU since it can only go by surface mail - it's too heavy to go by air.

I live just down the road from you - do you deliver locally?

I sure do. If you live within 7 miles of Ely, Cambridgeshire, Great Britain, I will drop your art work off for you free of charge.

Do you offer a collection service?

Ely is easy to find and my studio is slap bang in the middle of it so yes, I do.

Back

Prices

How much do name paintings cost?

Name art costs a flat fee of £5 for pens, inks and paper and then £5 per letter.

This illuminated manuscript-style first letter you mentioned, how much is that?

£25 plus p&p unframed
£40 plus p&p framed and mounted

How much is a mount for my illustrated name?

For names up to 5 letters long - £5
For names of 6 - 10 letters - £7.50

How much does a frame cost?

For names up to 5 letters long - an extra £15
For names of 6 - 10 letters - an extra £23

If I order my illustrated name framed does that include the mount, too?

Absolutely! If you have your painting framed then as a thank you, I will give you the mounts free of charge.

How much will postage and packing cost me within the United Kingdom?

I pack all name art commissions in hard backed envelopes. If I'm sending them to other parts of the UK I will send them by registered post unless you specifically ask me not to. Here are the rates:

Artwork only - £4.00
Artwork and mount - £5.00
Alphabet poster - £4.99
Flashcards - £1.50
Artwork framed - £8.00

How much will postage cost me anywhere else?

I send all artwork abroad via Royal Mail small packets. Where I can I send it signed for and the prices given include the £3.50 cost of Royal Mail signed-for. For non-registered post subtract £3.50.

Europe:
Framed - £13.50 surface mail or £15.50 airmail.

Everywhere else.
Plain or mounted - £7.50 airsure - £5.00 standard airmail.

How much does it cost for local delivery.

Nothing. That's right, niente, nada, zilch. Delivery within 7 miles of Ely is free.

How much will it cost to collect my art.

Again. Nothing.

Back

Methods of Payment

When will you require payment?

Once you have confirmed you are happy with my quotation I will require payment for the full amount before I begin your commission.

Can I pay in other currencies?

You certainly can. My international payment service is provided by PayPal so there are two provisos; that PayPal operates in your country and that you have either a major credit card or a PayPal account. If it does and you do I can accept your payment.

Can I pay on-line?

Yes you can. Thanks to the splendid people at PayPal. You can buy my alphabet poster straight away by visiting the shop page or clicking on the buy button to your right.

For other commissions please let me know when you accept the quote. I can then e-mail you a link to a secure online payment area.

Is my online payment secure?

All online payments to Drawnbyhand are processed using PayPal - whether they are by credit card or from your PayPal account to mine. PayPal use a secure encrypted server for all payments.

Can I pay by credit card?
Yes you can but only online.

Back

General Queries

I would like to cancel my commission, can I have a refund?

As a general rule, yes but with certain conditions attached.

If I haven't started work on the commission then yes I will certainly refund your payment minus any commissions taken - if you paid by PayPal or credit card.

If I have bought raw materials, for example, boxer shorts, I will retain the cost of those unless my supplier is prepared to take them back and refund me. If I have already started work, obviously, you will be required to pay for raw materials.

Do you have a mailing list I could join?

Yes, just fill in the form on our contact page, asking to be included and I'll add your name.

Will you pass my details onto "partners" or other companies?

No. I'm only interested in selling art, not my mailing list.

Back