FAQ
Commission questions, answered.
Everything you might want to know before you order. Materials, timelines, revisions, shipping, returns. Don't see your question? Write to hello@precisionpencil.com.
The Work
How the painting actually gets made.
- Are these real paintings or digital prints?
- Real paintings. Every piece is painted by hand in the Los Angeles studio with Winsor & Newton artist watercolors, gouache, and fine acrylic accents on Canson archival paper or canvas board. Nothing is printed. Nothing is AI-generated.
- What materials do you use?
- Canson 300gsm cold-pressed paper (or canvas board when the portrait calls for it), Winsor & Newton watercolors, Derwent graphite, and Krylon UV-resistant varnish. Frames are solid wood or lacquered wood with acid-free mats and plexiglass.
- How long does the painting take?
- Standard turnaround is 14 days from the day your reference photograph arrives. Rush timelines can be accommodated when the studio schedule allows. Write to the studio before ordering if you have a firm deadline.
- Is the painting signed?
- Yes. Every finished painting is signed discreetly and dated in the lower corner.
Photographs
Getting a great likeness.
- What kind of photo works best?
- Natural daylight, eye level, no flash. Clear focus on the face. Higher resolution means more detail in the finished painting. Phone photos work perfectly. Please avoid heavy filters, Portrait Mode blur, or aggressive compression.
- Can you combine multiple pets or people into one painting?
- Yes. Select the number of subjects during checkout. For multi-subject portraits, provide one clean reference of each subject. The studio composites them into a cohesive scene during the drafting pass.
- What if my photo isn't perfect?
- Justin will let you know before painting begins. Most photos are workable; occasionally a better reference makes a real difference and the studio will ask for one. No painting starts until the reference is strong.
- Can I include a photo of a background or setting?
- Yes. Send it alongside the subject reference in the order portal. If you'd like the subject placed into that setting, describe it in the personalization notes.
- How do I send my photograph after checkout?
- After your order, your private order portal opens. Upload references through the message thread there, or reply to the confirmation email. The painting does not begin until the reference is received.
Pricing & Ordering
Pricing, frames, and gifts.
- Why is your pricing cheaper than Etsy?
- Ordering directly through precisionpencil.com skips the marketplace commission, so every commission is 10% under the equivalent Etsy listing. The painting is identical.
- What's included in the price?
- The painting itself, UV varnish, packaging, US shipping, and unlimited revisions until you approve. Framing is an optional add-on at checkout.
- Do you offer framing?
- Yes. Black lacquer, white lacquer, or natural wood. Frames arrive ready-to-hang with acid-free mats and plexiglass.
- Can I order as a gift?
- Yes. Use the recipient's shipping address at checkout. Personalization notes are visible only to the studio, not printed on the packaging. Let the studio know if it needs to arrive by a specific date and gift-appropriate packaging will be included.
- Do you offer gift cards?
- Not at the moment. Write the studio and arrangements can be made directly.
Approval & Revisions
Your painting, your approval.
- Do I see the painting before it ships?
- Always. The finished painting is photographed in natural light and posted to your order portal. Nothing ships until you approve it.
- What if I want changes?
- Request a revision through the order portal and the passage gets repainted. Revisions are unlimited, free, and not on a clock. Watercolor allows meaningful adjustments even late in the process.
- What counts as a revision?
- Anything you want different. Expression, posture, color, composition, background. Subject swaps (a different pet entirely) are treated as a new commission.
- Can I approve with a small change?
- Yes. If it's minor, the studio can approve-and-adjust to keep your timeline on track.
Shipping
Getting it to you.
- How does shipping work?
- Domestic US shipping is free via FedEx or UPS, insured and tracked. International is available on request. See the shipping page for full details.
- How long until it arrives?
- Standard US ground is 2 to 5 business days after dispatch. Your tracking number is posted in the order portal the moment the label prints.
- Do you ship internationally?
- Yes, on request. Write to hello@precisionpencil.com with your destination before checkout for an exact rate. Import duties and VAT are the recipient's responsibility and vary by country.
- What if my painting is damaged in transit?
- Rare. Every shipment is insured and packed for impact. If it happens, photograph the damage, write within 7 days of delivery, and the studio files the claim and begins a repaint at no cost.
Returns, Refunds, & Support
If something is off.
- Can I return a commissioned painting?
- Commissioned work is made for you, so standard returns are not accepted on a finalized likeness. Unlimited revisions during approval exist so the painting is right before it ships.
- What if the painting that arrives doesn't match the approval photo?
- Contact the studio. Return shipping is covered and you choose between a full refund or a repaint.
- How do I contact the studio?
- Email hello@precisionpencil.com or message through your order portal. Replies land in the studio inbox directly.
- How do I log into my account?
- Visit /login and request a sign-in link. Your orders, approvals, and message history live on your account dashboard.