Frequently Asked Questions

1. What kind of photo reference is best to send in for my pet portrait?

Step 1: Email Me Your Photos: After placing an order, please send several high resolution photo options of your pet to austinwaychoffstudio@gmail.com

The best kind of photos for me to work from: ✦Take photo at the animal's eye level. ✦Pet is looking straight ahead. ✦High photo quality, not blurry or pixelated. ✦Natural lighting to achieve maximum detail. ✦Simple / Solid Background ✦No objects hiding parts of animal’s face.

Photos showing the animal smiling or their general personality is awesome too!

Step 2: Photo Approval Status: I’ll pick the best option for the painting! If not approved, I’ll let you to try again and send new photos.

Quick Tips:

✦Try taking a video if your furry friend won’t sit still, then screenshot a few still frames of the video to share.

  • ✦Put the camera/phone at the animal’s eye level.

    • Extreme angles of them looking up or down at you can distort the proportions of the pet’s face.

    ✦Natural Lighting with a simple background.

    • If the photo is too dark or has unnatural lighting this can distort the color accuracy. Have your pet sit near a window or be outside when photographing.

    ✦Remember, how your pet looks in the photo WILL BE what the ornament looks like (with my colorful style added of course!)

    • Sorry, I cannot magically add or take away a tongue, change the angle of the face to look at us, add sharpness back to a low quality photo, or make a pet look younger/older

    ✦Want to be extra helpful to me? In your email, please add descriptions of important features like eye color, specific markings or unique attributes of your animal that you don’t want me to miss!

    • Eye color and fur color can be hard to distinguish depending on the lighting, just know I will do my best! Your descriptions help a lot with accuracy!

*The pet I’d like painted has passed away… is there anything special you can add to the portrait?

Yes! A very special gift to yourself or someone else is a pet portrait as a memorial. If you would like a gold halo added around the pet portrait’s head, simply note it in the “add halo” option I will paint it on using liquid gold leaf at no additional charge!

Seen here is a memorial ornament completed of my hubby’s dear cat, Lena.

2. Can Austin paint any kind of animal?

Yes! I’ve painted all kinds of animals from parrots, to horses, and even bearded dragons! I’m a big lover of cats and dogs of course, but it’s fun to get to paint a variety of pets! I can paint more exotic animals that aren’t pets at all. If you’d like me to create an ornament of a favorite animal (lions, tigers, bears, rats, sloths, oh my!) I’d be happy to do so!

3. What kind of paint do you use?

I use acrylic paint and my favorite brand to use is Golden Fluid Acrylics. The portrait is painted on the front in acrylic paint and then is sealed with 2 coats of archival clear varnish for added protection. A background color is added at the artist’s discretion to help the Portrait “Pop!”

4. What Art the Pet portrait Ornaments painted on?

  • The colorful pet portrait is painted on natural wood. Each wood slice is unique as they are made from natural wood, so dimensions will vary slightly. The wood used may vary in color, bark, and texture. It may contain saw marks and natural imperfections or blemishes. I use pieces that I feel best suit the rustic appearance and do not detract from the overall look of the artwork.

  • Please Note: These Natural Wood Ornaments should NOT be kept/stored in areas with vast humidity/temperature changes, as this can cause the wood to swell and shrink rapidly, and can cause cracking! Although very rare, if this does happen, please contact me and I’ll be happy to make your ornament again at a discounted price.

SHIPPING POLICIES  

1. WHEN WILL I GET MY ORDER?

How long does it take for Austin to paint a portrait?

I complete each portrait in order of the ticket number. It takes me about 3-5 business days per ornament depending on the size, amount of detail, and drying time of the portrait. Business days are Monday- Friday 9:00am-5:00pm. Once you place an order, you will receive a confirmation email that your order has been received. Your next step is to email me pet photos for reference, and I’ll be in touch with you once those photos have been received and approved. Once a photo reference(s) is approved, please allow 3 weeks for processing which includes making the item and shipping it off (or preparing for it picked up). If you’re ordering more than one ornament, please allow for more time.

✦Keep in mind, Austin Waychoff Studio is a small, one-woman owned business. I assure you that we will prepare and ship your orders as quickly as possible. I am an artist, not a machine or big box store, thank you for your understanding and support! :)

2. What about taxes & shipping?

Taxes are calculated at Checkout. Flat shipping rate of $5 per order. I try to have at least 50% or more of my packaging be recycled materials. USA only (for now!).

3. HOW CAN I TRACK MY ORDER?

​Once an order has shipped, you will receive a tracking number via email. If you have any tracking inquiries or issues, please contact USPS, the primary carrier for Austin Waychoff Studio. They will be able to best assist you. Please be advised that shipping times may vary, and we unfortunately do not have control over shipping delays that may occur during transit. 

4. WHAT HAPPENS IF AN ITEM ARRIVES TO ME BROKEN?

Please be assured that I take great care in packaging our items to prevent damage in shipment. However, once the package leaves my shop, it is in the hands of the postal service. If your item was damaged in transit, please reach out and send us a photo via email within 3 days of receiving your package. If we do not receive a photo via email within 3 days of receiving the package, we unfortunately will not be able to replace your items. Replacements are issued depending upon availability of product. ​

5. WHAT HAPPENS IF MY PACKAGE GETS LOST IN TRANSIT?

Austin Waychoff Studio LLC is NOT responsible for packages that are lost or damaged during shipping. If it seems like your package may be lost in transit, please allow extra lead time for the package to arrive. Occasionally packages may take a longer or alternate route, but they will still arrive to your address. If for some reason your package does not arrive, please contact USPS and file a claim with your tracking number so they can better assist you in locating the package. 

6. WHAT HAPPENS IF I GAVE YOU THE WRONG ADDRESS BUT MY PACKAGE HAS ALREADY SHIPPED OUT?

AUSTIN WAYCHOFF STUDIO IS NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY CUSTOMER INPUT ERROR. 

***PLEASE be mindful to include the correct address and correct credit card information at checkout. We are NOT responsible for customer input error! Changes to address can not be made once the package has shipped. If an order is returned to us due to incorrect shipping address, the buyer is responsible for additional shipping fees to resend the package.***

7. REFUND POLICIES, CAN I RETURN MY ORDER?

 ALL SALES ARE FINAL. At this time, we do not accept any returns. Please carefully check product descriptions before purchasing. If you are unhappy with your order, please reach out to us via email so we can make it right! 

8. CAN I CANCEL MY ORDER?

​If for some reason you need to cancel your order, please contact us immediately. Once your order has been shipped, we can no longer cancel it for you. 

​IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS OR CONCERNS, PLEASE EMAIL US AT AustinWaychoffStudio@gmail.com