Commissioning an original piece of art is a collaboration with the Artist to create a unique and personalised piece of art that is meaningful to you. It’s a precious and personal investment!

Commissioned artworks can be a pet portrait as a cherished forever memento of your pet, loved farm animal or perhaps your favourite bird or wildlife animal.

Prices vary according the art medium and size.

Feel free to send me an email to ask any questions regarding the process, or fill in the form at the bottom of this page.

Commissioning an Original Artwork

Kaz Rankin in studio, snow leopard painting, pet portrait painting, pastel, commission, pet portrait

In my studio with my much cherished Russian Blue called “Koshka”, with a pastel (snow leopard) big cat on the easel “Snowy Mountain Queen” and Koshka’s own portrait hanging in behind. You may see my second Russian Blue “Lochy” (born during lockdown) making an appearance on social media, along with Kahlo, my black moggy (named after Frieda!).

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How to Commission an Artwork…

  • If you would like to commission a wildlife painting:

    • Which wildlife animal or bird do you have in mind?

    • I have a library of reference photographs from my own photography

    • Or you may have a special photo you’ve taken yourself?

    • Other photographers we will need to gain permission from them, to respect copyright

  • If you’d like to commission a painting of your pet:

    • Share little bit about the personality of your pet to help capture the essence and personality in your pet

    • Send me some of your favourite photos of your pet

    • Sometimes a couple of photos can be used to make up a composition

  • Pet Photo Tips

    • High-resolution, sharp photos taken in natural daylight (no heavy camera flashes)

    • Photos taken at the pet’s eye level are perfect

    • Close-up shots of the pet’s eyes (if possible!)

    • Photos need to be clear in detail, the better the clarity the more detail I can portray in your pet’s portrait

  • Think about which medium you like best.

    • Pastel or Oils is the most suitable for a Pet Portrait (see below for a more in depth description)

    • Oils on Board or Oils on Canvas? it depends o the look you like, I do feel I can achieve better detailing when painting on the smooth surface of the board as opposed to the weave of a canvas.

    • Scratchboard does need to be a very highly detailed reference photo for me to work from

  • Have a think about your budget.

    • See price options below to help you decide.

    • I am here to help chat about the different mediums, sizes and pricings, feel free to reach out.

  • Once you are happy to go ahead with your painting:

    • A 50% non-refundable deposit is required to cover costs and time

    • I will book a slot in my calendar (sometimes there is a waiting list), and a timeframe will. be advised.

    • I make up a Photoshop composition to help visualise and ensure you’re happy before the painting commences

    • Deposit paid

    • “Work in Progress” of the painting is emailed to you

    • A work in progress video on my instagram and facebook is posted (only if you’re ok with me sharing via social media)

    • We communicate along the way about any tweaks or detailing

    • A photo of the final painting is emailed to you. This is the exciting bit, we’re getting close to it being on your wall!

    • If you’re not 100% happy (which has never happened to me before), the painting would be left with me - with the understanding the deposit is non-refundable.

    • Framing can also be arranged via my local trusted framer, Seymour Picture Framing for a discounted retail price (I send frame choices via email with a quote).

    • Or I can leave this to you if you have a trusted framer you prefer dealing with and seeing the options in person.

    • Your painting is couriered to you (free within New Zealand).

    • Overseas courier to be quoted.

    • Hang your artwork… and enjoy!

    • I love to see photos of the artwork in situ, and if you’re brave enough to have a photo of yourself, or your pet beside it!

What is the Difference between Pastel, Oils and Scratchboard?

  • Pastel is a beautiful soft medium with an amazing blendability. Pastel does need to be framed behind glass to protect the delicate surface. This is the most affordable option to commission, and my favourite medium to depict a pet portrait.

  • Oil painting is a classic timeless medium, painted on either a fine weave canvas, or a smooth art board. The Oil on board option does require framing but I can get better detailing when the painting is on a super smooth Gessoboard. This sits in between the two mediums for affordability.

  • Scratchboard is a unique medium, drawn subtractively on a black inked board, scratched with tools such as a scalpel blade, tattoo needles to expose the white kaolin clay underneath. It’s a beautiful monochrome medium (clear reference photos are required). The time taken to create these artworks does make them a little more expensive than the pastel and oil option, but can make a very unique and striking artwork (particularly for wildlife).

Commission Prices

  • 29cm Round
    $650 unframed
    $875 Framed UV Glass

    39cm Round
    $750 unframed
    $995 Framed UV Glass

    59cm Round
    $950 unframed
    $1350 Framed UV Glass

    • Pastel Paintings are on Clairfontaine Pastelmat

    • Matboard options quoted

    • Frames can be white or black
      (other colours on request)

  • 15 x 15cm mini portrait $400

    18 x 24cm $500 

    24 x 30cm $550 (A4)

    30 x 40cm $650 (A3)

    42 x 60cm $850 (A2) 

    50x70cm  $1250

    • Pastel Paintings on Clairfontaine Pastelmat

    • Framing required with Glass

    • Prices quoted are unframed

    • Framing options can be quoted

  • 8x10in $795

    9x12in $850

    10x12in $895

    12x12in $950

    11x14in $1150

    12x16in $1350

    14x18in $1500

    18x24in $1850

    • Artwork on Primed Archival Ampersand Gessoboard
      (framing required)

    • Protected with an archival UV Varnish

    • Prices quoted are unframed

    • Framing options can be quoted

  • 8x10in $795

    10x12in $895

    12x14in $1150

    14x18in $1500

    16x20in $1650

    18x24in $1850

    • Artwork on “Stretched With Love” fine weave cotton canvas

    • Protected with an archival UV Varnish

    • 21mm box profile
      (lightweight suitable for framing)

    • 35mm box profile
      (no frame required)

  • 5x5in $600

    5x7in $650

    6x6in $700

    8x8in $800

    8x10in $900

    12x12in $1000

    11x14in $1100

    12x16in $1250

    14x18in $1500

    16×20in $1650

    18x24in $2000 (special order for this size)

    24x36in $2850 (special order for this size)

    • Artwork on Professional Archival Ampersand Scratchbords

    • Protected with an archival UV Varnish

    • My stock of Ampersand Scrathboards are imported, timeframe advised if out of stock

    • Prices quoted are unframed

    • Framing options can be quoted

pet portraits montage.jpg
Kaz painting in situ at a local Marlborough winery. On the easel is a beautiful Australian Cattle dog, commissioned by an Australian client.
"Porsche", the artists own cat, a Maine Coon. She was a beauty, nearly 9kg in weight and such a gentle loving nature. Pastel seemed the perfect medium with its soft blendability with this reference photo.
Mocha Oliver Cleo - oil painting.jpg
Greta, a White HIghland Terrier in Pastel and framed in a classic white frame. There were tears upon receiving the painting (the highest compliment for an artist)!
NgiruNgiru (South Island Tomtit) in a beautiful white frame
Charley - oil portrait.jpg
A delighted Ray in Aberdeen, Scotland, with his gifted oil painting, with Charley the Golden Retriever also admiring his self-portrait!
"Zealandia Forest Dweller", the beautiful forest parrot, the Kaka, such a sight to see and watch (they can be characters)! Drawn in pastel from one of Kaz's reference photos taken at Zealandia Eco Sanctuary, Wellington. Don't you love that frame!
A commission can be a pet, family farm friend, wildlife animal or bird. In this case a wee lamb, the artwork is called "Mary Had A Little Lamb"
"Andalucian Stables" - a scratchboard artwork from a reference photo which showed an extreme closeup of the horse's eye, reflecting the Spanish stables
"Daytime Watch", a mother morepork (Ruru) on watch whilst her family of 2 babies and 'husband' were foraging in the trees behind her. From Kaz's reference photos taken at Zealandia Eco Sanctuary in Wellington.
A portrait of “Snow”, the Huntaway, commissioned as a treasured memorial after he sadly passed away in Southland, NZ. There were also tears upon receiving the portrait, as Snow was a special first heading dog and cherished pet. The painting was besp
Charlie (Auckland) with a Commissioned Oil Painting of her first treasured horse, “Rayz”.
Charlie later commissioned a portrait of her terrier, “Jiffy”. Pictured here with both oil paintings.
Happy clients in Motueka with a Snow Leopard Scratchboard Artwork. They reported later the eyes always follow them around the room!
A delighted Hansen family in Hamilton with a commissioned wildlife commission of their favourite African animal, the cheetah.
Rachelle (Marlborough) with a Commissioned Pastel Pet Portrait of her gorgeous Cavalier King Charles Spaniel “Ruby”.
Gwen delighted to receive her pastel portrait of her beloved labrador “Bella”
A Commissioned Oil Painting of two beautiful Golden Retrievers “Lily & Dougal”. This painting went to a super happy Australian client and a smiley Lily!

A work in progress video of Snow’s portrait in pastel

The Finer Details

  • Acceptance of commissions contingent on photo quality supplied (at artist discretion), the more detailing in the photos - the better reference for detailing

  • Prices include plain pastel or oil painted backgrounds (scratchboards black only)

  • Additional detailed background (approx +$100, to quote depending on complexity)

  • Additional animal to be quoted (approx $150)

  • Bespoke sizes can be quoted

  • 50% non-refundable deposit on booking, balance upon completion

  • Bespoke framing can be quoted at a discount price (or painting couriered to you for you to choose the framing with your own framer)

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