Commissioned Paintings

Xanthe Wyse specialises in painting with artist-grade acrylics, usually on canvas. She especially enjoys painting pets and wild birds in nature. Commissions within New Zealand only. A non-refundable deposit is required upon accepting a commission. Enquire with contact form or email: [email protected]

Pet Portraits

Now offering custom bird/animal/pet portraits (face and shoulders or whole body). Customers within New Zealand only.

​All pet species welcome. Prices start at NZ $200 for approximately  A4 size for 1 pet.

Smallest sizes:
8x10" (203x254mm)  - bit shorter than A4
9x12" (229x305mm) - similar size to A4
10x10" (254x254mm)

Add $15 for packaging/courier or collect from Taupo.
50% non-refundable deposit is required (bank transfer on invoice or PayPal).

10% of sale price will be donated to KittyCat Rescue. Proceeds of all pet prints (if consent for public to purchase) will also go to the rescue as a fundraiser.

Discount on fine art prints (same size) and further painted portraits to same customer within 12 months. 

Other sizes or extra pets or very detailed backgrounds will need a quote. Please email: [email protected] or use contact form for enquiries.
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An estimated timeframe can be given when enquiring. Please be patient as Xanthe can only work part-time, with her disabilities. Each painting takes several hours over several days to complete. 
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Picture
'Explore Outdoors' (Pip)

What should I supply for a commission?

Ideally, more than one good photo is needed. A 'good' photo will have variation in lights and darks (ie not 'flat');  range of colours; good definition of features (especially eyes, nose, ears, mouth, paws/feet). Preferably also some highlights and shadows on the fur/feathers.

A phone pic is usually fine for an 8x10" portrait.

Xanthe does not do 'photorealistic' paintings; more stylised semi-realistic. She strives to create a likeness of your pet, with lively storytelling and expression. Capturing their personality, connection with you or something they enjoy doing.

If you do not have a 'good' photo of your pet (for example for a memorial portrait), don't despair, as Xanthe may be able to work with a poor quality photo.

Photo tips:
  • Don't get too close to your pet with the camera, as it may distort features.
  • Get down to your pet's eye level.
  • Take lots of photos, preferably in natural light.
  • Engage with your pet during the photoshoot - capture your bond (treats and toys may help).
  • Use a camera at at 50-200mm if possible (to avoid distortion).  'Auto' everything else is generally fine.
  • A phone pic may be adequate (depending on lighting & enough detail of features).
Picture
'Sanctuary' (Calico)

Is anything else required for a commission?

For pet portraits, it will be helpful to know your pet's name and a little about your pet's personality. Also, their breed (if known). Something unique about your pet, related to the portrait.

For two pets in one portrait, similar lighting and light source direction will have best results. Xanthe can combine two different photo references, if they are compatible. Details of any extra subjects (pets/birds) take extra time to paint.

A quote will be needed for more than two pets (will likely also need a larger canvas size).

If you want your pet painted smaller (like the painting of Pip) in an environment such as swimming in a lake, it will be helpful to provide suitable extra reference pics of the environment.

Xanthe can also change colours, omit anything, crop reference pics, create an abstracted or simplied background. If you have a preference for bright or softer colours, let Xanthe know. Calico ('Sanctuary' painting) is painted mostly in warm colours. Pip ('Explore Outdoors' painting) is painted with mostly cool colours.

The ginger kitty 'Catitude' is painted with more neutrals.

If you don't know the difference between warm and cool, don't worry. Check out some of Xanthe's original paintings and let her know which paintings you are drawn to (even if they're not of pets).

It is most helpful though, if the lighting (highlights, shadows) are suitable in the main reference pic. A way to check this is to use your phone or other digital device to convert a colour image to greyscale (Xanthe can do this if you're not sure). There should be a variety of darks, lights and mid-greys. 

Xanthe will need to see your reference pics before accepting a commission. She can make recommendations for a pleasing composition. Email up to half a dozen pics, preferably unedited (JPEG file type) to: [email protected]

More tips on taking better photos of your pet.
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Picture
'CatiDude'
Picture
'Doggo'

Is the painting framed?

Frames are not supplied but a floating/tray frame would suit best. The sides of the painting will be painted, so it's tidy to hang up without a frame. The stretched canvas is 1.5" (38mm) deep.