New Artwork: “Grendel” Custom Dog Portrait
I took advantage of having a bit of time in my schedule to make a custom portrait of my own dog! Generally, I spend my working on artwork for other people but I decided that I wanted a portrait for myself too!
This piece is actually considerably larger than the portraits I usually make—it’s 17”x14”—so it took quite a bit longer to complete! The nice thing about the larger size is that it makes it easier to get finer detail than in the smaller sizes.
I’m really pleased with how it turned out—it really captures the energy and enthusiasm that Grendel gives to everything!
Would you like a custom portrait of your own pet? You can check out the process here or email me at tamara@tamarajaeger.com with any questions!
Want to keep updated and see more of what I’m working on? Sign up for my mailing list here and get a totally FREE digital download of a tiger linocut print. (I promise not to be spammy with my emails—I hate that too!)
Custom Pet Portrait Progression: Master of Mystery
Several weeks ago, I wrote about my portrait of Harry, here, though this portrait is actually titled “Master of Mystery.” Like with my portrait of Hope, I thought it might be interesting to put together a series of images to show the progression of the piece, so you can get a behind-the-scenes look at the process of creating a custom pet portrait.
This post is a little on the long side, but don’t worry–it’s mostly pictures!
I remembered to take a photo of just the drawing before I started working on the collage! Some pieces require a more detailed drawing; others need less. It’s mostly about blocking in the shapes and colors and getting the proportions right.
I find that I don’t really start in the same spot for my collages. For Harry, I started with his nose and face.
Then I added in the eyes and started on his legs. The reference photo I was using didn’t show his feet, but the portrait worked better with them visible, so I had to use a different photo to get the feet!
Working on the black part of his body. Both black and white animals are never really just solid black or solid white. There are subtle color variations that often need to be emphasized a little more in a portrait to give a sense of depth and three-dimensionality.
It’s helpful to work on areas in the order of how the fur lies so that the pieces overlap in a way that looks more realistic and fur-like.
After I finished his chest, I went back and worked on his head.
Now it’s actually starting to look like Harry!
He’s almost done. Now it’s time to start on the background.
Building up the background. I find green and blue make good background colors for many of my portraits. They provide a nice color contrast that allows the pet to show up well and look natural.
Now to add in the whiskers. Whiskers are tricky to make out of torn paper! They can be too overpowering for some pieces and I often leave them out unless they’re a necessary part of the animal’s ‘look.’ In Harry’s case (and with most cats, really), they’re definitely necessary.
All done, and it looks fantastic!
And finally, here’s a bonus photo of Harry, begging for food at the door.
Would you like a custom portrait of your own pet? You can check out the process here or email me at tamara@tamarajaeger.com with any questions!
Want to keep updated and see more of what I’m working on? Sign up for my mailing list here and get a totally FREE digital download of a tiger linocut print. (I promise not to be spammy with my emails—I hate that too!)
Zeus: Custom Chinchilla Pet Portrait
This little guy is named Zeus and he’s pictured here enjoying a piece of carrot—one of his favorite treats! He’s one of my earlier pet portraits, but not nearly as early as the fox picture I wrote about last week!
Zeus, like most chinchillas, is an active little critter. Chinchillas are actually a lot of fun as pets—we had them when I was a kid. They’re not really the best for young children, since they don’t often sit still or like to held for long periods of time (guinea pigs, on the other hand, make a great pet for younger children). But for older children (and adults!) they can be a great choice.
Would you like a custom portrait of your own pet? You can check out the process here or email me at tamara@tamarajaeger.com with any questions!
Want to keep updated and see more of what I’m working on? Sign up for my mailing list here and get a totally FREE digital download of a tiger linocut print. (I promise not to be spammy with my emails—I hate that too!)
Custom Pet Portrait Progression: Hope
Several weeks ago, I wrote about my custom pet portrait of Hope, here. I thought it might be interesting to put together a series of images to show the progression of the piece, so you can get a feel for how a portrait evolves as I work on it.
This post is a little on the long side, but don’t worry–it’s mostly pictures!
I didn’t remember to take a photo of just the drawing before I started working on the collage. I guess I was too excited to get started!
I find that I don’t really start in the same spot for my collages. For Hope, I actually started with her Service Dog vest.
I then worked on her face and started on the chest.
It’s helpful to work on areas in the order of how the fur lies so that the pieces overlap in a way that looks more realistic and fur-like.
After I finished her chest, I went back and worked on her head.
Filling in the rest of the body.
Starting in on the background.
I find it helpful to take progress photos because it makes it easier to spot areas that don’t look quite right. I decided that didn’t like the darker blue flecks here so I covered them up.
Then I decided I didn’t like the contrast between the dark and light blue. Sometimes the background is the hardest part of the piece!
All done, and it looks fantastic!
And finally, here’s Hope posing with her portrait.
Would you like a custom portrait of your own pet? You can check out the process here or email me at tamara@tamarajaeger.com with any questions!
Want to keep updated and see more of what I’m working on? Sign up for my mailing list here and get a totally FREE digital download of a tiger linocut print. (I promise not to be spammy with my emails—I hate that too!)
Throw Back Thursday: Fox Torn Paper Collage
This was probably my very first animal ‘portrait’ torn paper collage! I made it over twenty years ago and it’s spent most of that time hanging near a window in a brightly lit office. Considering the less-than-ideal environment where it’s spent its life, I’m actually pretty impressed that it still looks as good as it does.
Really though, I suppose the important thing is that it’s spent the last 20 years being enjoyed instead of stuffed in a dark corner somewhere!
All artwork will deteriorate over time, that’s just the nature of things. However, here is some advice on how to display your torn paper collage pieces in a way that will provide the longest period of enjoyment:
- The greatest danger is light, which will cause fading of the inks used in the magazines and catalogs that were used to create the piece. Please avoid exposure to direct sunlight or prolonged exposure to fluorescent lighting.
- Due to the delicate surface texture, your torn paper collage artwork is best displayed framed under UV filtering glass with archival quality mats.
- Keep your artwork in conditions that feel comfortable to you—avoid storing the artwork in very hot places, such as an attic or garage. Also avoid very damp areas, like basements, which can lead to mold growth.
If you have any questions about how to best preserve or display your torn paper collage artwork, please don’t hesitate to contact me here or by email at tamara@tamarajaeger.com. I’m always happy to help!
Want to keep updated and see more of what I’m working on? Sign up for my mailing list here and get a totally FREE digital download of a tiger linocut print. (I promise not to be spammy with my emails—I hate that too!)
Master of Mystery: Cat Pet Portrait
This handsome guy is actually a little different from my regular pet portrait subjects. He’s a feral stray cat that hangs around my parents’ house begging for food. Not the friendliest stray I’ve encountered, he goes by the name Harry. I suspect that name was given to him in reference to his long fur (Hairy!).
Despite being pretty skittish, as most feral cats are, Harry deigned to pose nicely for me the last time I visited my parents. And so I created this worshipful masterpiece to properly immortalize his feline magnificence (after all, he’s a cat—that’s how they all think about themselves, right?!).
Would you like a custom portrait of your own pet? You can check out the process here or email me at tamara@tamarajaeger.com with any questions!
Want to keep updated and see more of what I’m working on? Sign up for my mailing list here and get a totally FREE digital download of a tiger linocut print. (I promise not to be spammy with my emails—I hate that too!)
Hope: Custom Dog Portrait
This is Hope, an Australian Shepherd, and she’s a very special dog. As you can see from the portrait, she’s a service dog and she makes her owner’s life so much easier every day. Hope was the one of the first service dogs trained specifically for cluster headaches!
Like other service animals, Hope also spends time “off duty,” but this portrait is intended to commemorate the selfless service she performs daily at her job.
Would you like a custom portrait of your own pet? They make a great pet memorial or gift! You can check out the process here or email me at tamara@tamarajaeger.com. I’m happy to answer any questions you have!
Want to keep updated and see more of what I’m working on? Sign up for my mailing list here and get a totally FREE digital download of a tiger linocut print. (I promise not to be spammy with my emails—I hate that too!)
Mirage: Custom Bird Pet Portrait
It’s not all just cats and dogs! I’m happy to create a special portrait of your cherished pet, regardless of species. Today, I’d like to tell you a bit about another custom bird portrait I created a few years ago.
Mirage is an African Grey parrot who is about 20 years old. He was acquired as a hand-fed baby and like many African Greys, he’s definitely a one-person bird! Mirage can talk and will sometimes make up his own words for things. He loves listening to music and enjoys watching children’s television programs. When he was a baby, Mirage loved watching Teletubbies but as he got older, he became more interested in programs that are geared more for older children, like Sesame Street!
Would you like a custom portrait of your own pet? They make a great pet memorial or gift! You can check out the process here or email me at tamara@tamarajaeger.com. I’m happy to answer any questions you have!
Want to keep updated and see more of what I’m working on? Sign up for my mailing list here and get a totally FREE digital download of a tiger linocut print. (I promise not to be spammy with my emails—I hate that too!)
Torn Paper Collage FAQs
1. Why do you make your collages on paper?
There are several reasons. One is just personal preference—I like the way the portraits look when matted and framed. It gives them a clean, professional, and elegant look. The primary reason, however, is related to my training as a museum conservator: paper-on-paper avoids any mismatch in the physical properties, such as response to humidity changes that can occur when there are layers of different materials in contact with each other, and this can help prolong the life of the artwork.
2. Why don’t you apply a varnish or clear topcoat?
Again, this is related to my training as a museum conservator. All varnishes or other materials that can be used as a topcoat will yellow over time and due to the nature of the artwork, the topcoat cannot be removed. This is very different from varnishing an oil painting, for instance. Oil painting varnish also yellows and darkens over time, but it is designed to be removed and replaced without damaging the underlying painting.
While many of the modern acrylic varnishes do have good longevity, I feel it is better for the artwork over the long term to not add any materials that I know can never be removed and will eventually cause yellowing or other visual changes to the piece.
3. How do I care for my torn paper collage artwork?
The greatest danger is light, which will cause fading of the inks used in the magazines and catalogs that were used to create the piece. Please avoid exposure to direct sunlight or prolonged exposure to fluorescent lighting.
Due to the delicate surface texture, your torn paper collage artwork is best displayed framed under UV filtering glass with archival quality mats.
Keep your artwork in conditions that feel comfortable to you—avoid storing the artwork in very hot places, such as an attic or garage. Also avoid very damp areas, like basements, which can lead to mold growth.
4. How long does it take?
Torn paper collage is not a quick process! Each paper fragment is hand torn and individually glued in place. Because of this, your custom portrait can take up to 4-6 weeks, depending on the size and the complexity of the subject.
5. Do you only do dog portraits? What other animals can I get a custom portrait of?
I can make custom portraits of any pet and am happy to do so! Dogs, cats, birds, reptiles, horses, farm animals—you name it. You can check out some of my wildlife torn paper collages here to see some of the other animals I’ve worked with.
6. How do I order a custom pet portrait?
When you place your order, I will require high-quality digital images of your pet. Try to provide photos that really capture the personality of your pet.
I require full payment to start work on your pet portrait. I accept payment via PayPal, Venmo, cashier’s (bank) check or money order. You can also place your order directly in my website shop, here.
Once I receive your order and photos, we can clarify any remaining details of the portrait: subject(s), size, colors, etc. I can also give you an estimate of when the portrait will be completed. Portraits can take 4-6 weeks to complete, but if you have a specific occasion or timetable you need the portrait for, please let me know.
Before I ship the completed piece, I will email you a digital image for your approval.
Feel free to contact me via email at tamara@tamarajaeger.com or by filling out the request form on my website, here.
7. I have professional photos of my pet. Can you use those?
No, it’s a violation of the photographer’s copyright. It’s much simpler and easier for me to use photos that you took yourself. They don’t have to be professional looking—they just have to clearly show your pet and, ideally, give me a good feel for their personality.
The only situation where I would consider using professional photos is where it is not possible to take new photos of your pet and professional photos are the only ones that exist (i.e. for a memorial portrait of a deceased pet). In this case I would require written permission from the photographer before I could use their images as reference photos for your custom pet portrait.
8. I still have questions!
Feel free to contact me by filling out this form or by email at tamara@tamarajaeger.com. I’m happy to answer any other questions you have!
Want to keep updated and see more of what I’m working on? Sign up for my mailing list here and get a totally FREE digital download of a tiger linocut print. (I promise not to be spammy with my emails—I hate that too!)
Tango: Custom Bird Pet Portrait
It’s not all just cats and dogs! I’m happy to create a special portrait of your cherished pet, regardless of species. Today, I’d like to tell you a bit about a custom bird portrait I created a couple years ago.
Tango is an Orange-Wing Amazon parrot who is about 40 years old. He’s a beloved family pet, though he’s definitely a one-person bird! He likes sunflower seeds and peanuts and hanging out with his owner.
Would you like a custom portrait of your own pet? They make a great pet memorial or gift! You can check out the process here or email me at tamara@tamarajaeger.com. I’m happy to answer any questions you have!
Want to keep updated and see more of what I’m working on? Sign up for my mailing list here and get a totally FREE digital download of a tiger linocut print. (I promise not to be spammy with my emails—I hate that too!)