Frequently Asked Questions

The answer to pretty much any question is probably yes, I'm a true photorealistic artist and a high end computer programmer so I can do things that no one else can do with your photos.

There are three ways to send me photos:

• Send via Etsy conversation (ideally from the same account where you ordered) - go to our shop and click the little "Contact" link under my photo on the right.
• Send via email to info@favreaus.com (include your name and/or order number).
• Send via text to 314-225-5881 (include your name or order number).

How are These Made

• Are these hand-painted?

  Yes, I use Daniel Smith and Winsor & Newton paints and Arches cold pressed watercolor paper. I then take your painting and scan it in at a high resolution, then seamlessly integrate it into the final portrat.

  For some portraits, like the geodes, I hand-paint your background then scan it and integrate your scanned in embryo painting. Or I may paint your geode digitally using Procreate and real watercolor brushes. This allows me to get the highest quality for your portrait. I always start with a pencil sketch of your photo, then I layer the paint on bit by bit to build the colors to the right depth and shade. Most portraits are made with 4-6 layers of different levels of color, shading, and detail.

  

• How do I order one that is really painted on paper?

  I offer hand-painted portraits, where you receive the original, for embryos and houses: Hand Painted House Listing and Hand Painted Embryo Portrait.

  

• What do you use to paint?

  I use a 9H pencil, a ruler, Arches watercolor cold-pressed 140 lbs paper, brushes both with and without a water reservoir, and I have around a half dozen types of paint depending on the need though my primary paints are Daniel Smith.

• Can I add metallic accents to my painting?

  Yes, just let me know what color of metallic you'd like added. I mix my own metallic watercolor paint using fine silver, gold, and other mica powders - all natural.

  

• Do you use filters or programs you can purchase online to do these?

  The only filters I use are to color correct, so I have special layers in Photoshop that allow me to reduce greens, yellows, oranges, etc. with one click to help color correct old photos or photos taken under fluorescent light. I created these to reduce the time it takes me to color correct retro photos.

  In addition to watercolor paint and paper, I use Photoshop, Illustrator, my large Wacom tablet (it's a huge drawing tablet that allows me to paint your portrait with a digital brush that I actually hold in my hand while painting), or Procreate and an Apple Pencil to do my paintings.

  I have started offering one of my quicker methods which is a program I wrote that basically accelerates my brush strokes. It's 100% my work and not a commercial filter. It's still me painting, just a faster process with a bit less detail. You can see examples on these listings.

• Can you paint my pet, business, grandmother, family, house, apartment, car, office space, cubicle, etc.

  Yes, I've yet to receive a request that I couldn't do. Some paintings may just take a bit more time.

Ordering Questions

• How do I order?

  • Go to Favreaus on Etsy and find the listing for the type of portrait you'd like me to paint.
  • Choose which size you would like.
  • Choose what you would like your portrait on.
  • Enter your personalization, which includes anything you would like at the bottom of your piece of art, if anything.
  • Place your order.
  • Send me your picture via text to 314-225-5881 (include your name and/or order number), or via email to info@favreaus.com (include your name and/or order number), or via Etsy conversation.
  • Be sure to add editing if you need anything taken out, added, combined photos, or anything like that:
    Standard Photo Editing: https://etsy.me/2LQ6U9h
    Extended Photo Editing: https://etsy.me/2TsHOSc
    Combine Photos: https://etsy.me/3bRsXY1
  • If you purchase the Combine Photos listing, you must purchase the portrait listing as well.

• Do you offer discount codes?

  F10OFF60 - 10% off $60+
  15OFF3TO5 - 15% off 3-5 Prints (all purchased in the same order)
  20OFF6TO10 - 20% off 6-10 Prints (all purchased in the same order)
  25OFF11TO20 - 25% off 11-20 Prints (all purchased in the same order)
  30OFF21PLUS - 20% off 21+ Prints (all purchased in the same order)

  We also have discount codes for returning customers and for military, teachers, and first responders. Just send me a text 314-225-5881 or message on here with proof of status (for military, only the top left of the card is necessary).

  But because you came to this page and clicked here, you can use the code FAQFAVREAUS for a 10% discount.

• Can I order a second copy of my portrait at a discount?

  Yes, use this listing to purchase the additional prints in the sizes you want - note that you must choose additional prints the same size or smaller than your original order.

• Do you have gift certificates?

  We do offer gift certificates! You'll receive a beautifully printed card like gift certificate with their name and yours on the front, the amount, and instructions (and their unique code) on the inside. Then I'll work with them to get their portrait done and you'll be notified when I ship it to them.

  Use one of these listings to purchase.

  

• Do you only paint embryos, people, and houses?

  I paint people, businesses, pets, watches, cars, cubicles or offices, jewelry, gemstones, houses, food items, lake houses, household items, guns for military and police, child's favorite lovey, even landscapes or favorite things - whatever would bring a smile to your loved one's face makes for a great portrait and a uniquely memorable gift.

  A portrait is the perfect unique gift for anniversaries, baptisms, confirmations, bat mitzvahs and bar mitzvahs, retirements, new businesses, closing a business, memorials, kids' birthdays, that summer at camp, a moment with grandparents (or a combination photo where I add the grandparents in with the grandchildren they didn't meet), pretty much any event you can imagine.

  

Photo Quality

• Can I use old/vintage photos?

  Yes, I will color correct the photo, and I have special techniques I use to enlarge them so I can try to recreate more details.

  

• Can I use a photo of a photo or a photo that was taken at an angle and has reflections on it?

  Yes, I can tweak the image so I can change the lighting and perspective to get a near-perfect photo to create your portrait.

  

• I have an old photo and it has cracks in it and water damage, can you still use it?

  Yes, I can remove the cracks, fix the water damage (maybe not completely but I can make it work), and then I can create your portrait from that fixed photo - and I'll send you the fixed photo as well if you'd like.

  

• Can I use a screenshot from Google maps?

  Yes, but send me the address so I can get a larger version of it.

  

• Can I use a screenshot or a picture from social media?

  Yes, but try to send me the original digital image. If it's on social media, right-click the image on a computer and choose open in a new tab, then right click the image and save image as and send me that.

  

• Can I send a scanned photo?

  Yes, scan it in at 600 or 1200 DPI if possible. But I can use lower resolutions. Export as a TIFF if you can, otherwise a high-resolution JPG is fine.

  

• I don't know if my photos will work, can I send them to you to find out before I buy?

  Yes, text them to 314-225-5881 or contact me via Etsy or via email info@favreaus.com

Photo Editing / Combine Photos

• Can you combine photos?

  Yes, I can combine any number of photos, some will work better than others though. If the photos really can't be combined the way they are then I may create brand new bodies for the people and use the photos for the reference for their head and face. So whenever possible please send other photos so I can get an idea of their body shape. Also provide me with some height references so I can make sure people are the right height in the portrait.

  Use the photo combination listing to add this option to your order (you must purchase a portrait listing as well as this listing to have a portrait made from your combined photo): https://etsy.me/3fHYjCB

  

• I want my whole family in the photo, can you put us all together?

  Yes, see above.

  

• Can you add my pet to my photo?

  Yes, please remember to tell me how tall your pet is in relation to something in the photo so I can get their size right.

• Can you add color to a black and white photo?

  Yes, but please provide details like if the person was blonde or a redhead or if the house was Wedgewood blue or sage green for example, so I can get the colors right. Note that the colors won't be bright like a current-day photo, they will be muted more like a faded photo.

  

• Can you change things in my photo? Remove things, change colors, etc.?

  Yes, I have two levels of editing, standard and extended. Most people will only need standard editing, I have descriptions and examples on these listings, some will require extended in rare cases (like putting a car that's in a driveway in front of a house onto a race track).

  Standard Photo Editing: https://etsy.me/3hF5Io9
  Extended Photo Editing: https://etsy.me/3hKs73o

• Why do I need to pay for photo editing if you hand-paint these?

  Because I need something "clean" to work from. It's like having your portrait painted, if you wanted a super glamorous portrait of yourself done but you were sitting in front of me straight out of bed with bed head, messed up clothes, and tired eyes, my brain will naturally try to paint what I see. So you'll get a better portrait if I can create a photo to work from that is what we want the final portrait to look like. That way I don't accidentally start painting that trash can that should have been removed. This is really important when combining photos and removing things because that changes where light and shadows fall.

  Keep in mind that I create a pencil sketch of your portrait before I start painting - even when I digitally paint this is my first step, this gives me the outline of where to paint, keeps perspective in place, reminds me where my shadows go, etc.

Paper, Printing, and Frame Options

• What kind of paper do you paint on?

  I use Arches watercolor paper 140 lbs cold-pressed. It's the best paper you can buy for watercolor art.

• What is a canvas print?

  Canvas is your portrait printed on a gallery-wrapped 1.5" thick canvas that is ready to hang. These can be framed in a black floating frame or a white floating frame (by special request only for white). Click the images below to open them in a new tab to view larger

     

• What kind of paper do you print on?

  I use high-quality coated cold-pressed watercolor paper specially made for my high-end art printer, which uses archival ink. For glossy or satin paper, I use photographic quality paper from Canon.

• Framing Options

  All of my prints are in normal sizes that you can find frames on Amazon but I do sell frames as well, with or without a matte.

  Here's my listing for frames: Frame Listing but you can also contact me for a custom frame or add a frame after your portrait order is placed and I'll create a separate listing for you for the frame.

Proofs and Shipping

• Do you send proofs before shipping?

  I do, but they have a deadline in them, if I don't hear back by the deadline then I ship what I sent as a proof. I can still make corrections after you receive if, if it's a printed painting, but if it's an original then I cannot make changes as you'll have the original.

• I got a shipping notice but I haven't received a proof!

  Etsy penalizes sellers if orders are late - and all of their shops, we have two; Tesla Baby is our other one. I try to be honest with my mailing dates, but it's for a good reason when your portrait is shipped late. Extra time is needed to make your painting perfect. If I just used a filter, they could be done in minutes, but that's not the case, so each portrait takes hours or days - especially for combination works or edited portraits where I need to create a clean master.

• I messed up my address, can you change it? Or can you ship to someone else?

  Yes, send me a message on Etsy with the new address AND send me a text to 314-225-5881 so I know to go in and add a note right away.

• How is my print packaged?

  Prints up to 16x20 are in cellophane sleeves then packaged with a penny thick chipboard and then in a rigid envelope. Some may be rolled in a thick rigid cardboard art tube or rolled and packed into a triangular priority mailer. It depends where it's going, the size, and where it's shipping to (in damp or humid areas tubes are better than envelopes).

  Original Paintings are in a cellophane sleeve, put between penny thick chipboard, cushioned with thick packing material, and then in a box.

  XL Prints over 16x20 are rolled, then banded, then put in heat-sealed tubing (so they can't get wet) then in a large thick cardboard tube.

  XL Canvas and other XL are sent to a printer near you to pick up in person.

  Canvas and Framed Canvas prints are wrapped in cellophane, then padded, then put in a box.

• My print didn't arrive or was damaged!

  Send me a message on Etsy AND send me a text to 314-225-5881 with your name and order number so I can follow up immediately. Copy the tracking number into Google and go straight to the USPS site to view full tracking and to sign up for notifications. I will ship out a new print asap or send your portrait to a local printer for you to pick up if you don't want to wait for the post. Note that I will only reship paper prints, all others I need to claim insurance for first, but will figure out something with you to replace the lost or damaged portrait.

  If the portrait is damaged please take photos of the packaging and the print - and KEEP the packaging and print until I let you know that the claim is being released as USPS may request to see it.

Printing Partners & Local Printing

• My print might be late! How can I get a copy today?

  Anything but the watercolor paper options can be sent somewhere near you, and the digital files you receive are perfect for getting more prints done at a local printing place. If your print gets lost or delayed, please use the digital files you've been provided with to print a hard copy until the portrait arrives.

• I ordered a large canvas, how will you be shipping it to me?

  Large canvases may be sent to one of our partner printing locations near you for local pickup or for local delivery to help eliminate postal delays and the potential for damage. You will not pay extra, we cover all of the costs and work with our partner printer to get the perfect portrait for you. These are the same quality we would deliver to someone locally. You just walk in and pick it up or it's delivered from just a few miles away instead of across the country.

• Where can I get my digital file printed?

  For local prints, we recommend using Walgreens, CVS, or FedEx but have also seen great prints from Walmart. For online, Canvas Pop (canvases), SnapFish or Shutterfly (both have a huge plethora of items).

My order is done, I have the proof, now what?

• Why was the label printed before the proof was sent?

  Etsy penalizes sellers if orders are late - and all of their shops (we have two, Tesla Baby is our other one). I try to be honest with my mailing dates, but it's for a good reason when your portrait is shipped late. If I just used a filter, they could be done in minutes, but that's not the case, so each portrait takes hours or days - especially for combination works or edited portraits where I need to create a clean master.

• Why does shipping still says Pre-Transit??

  USPS is not scanning over 50% of parcels. Trust that if I send you a proof and your label is printed, your portrait has shipped. I track all shipments to ensure delivery, however, if your portrait doesn't seem to move, let me know. I can send a copy to a printer locally that you can pick up immedaitely while waiting for a new print to go out.

  Starting in 2024 I noticed that USPS was becoming less reliable so most packages are being shipped via UPS.

• I want you to make changes, what do I do?

  If you have changes, please reply and let me know. I want to make sure you get a portrait you love.

  • If your portrait has shipped, I will do what I can to make those changes and get a new copy to you.
  • If you ordered an original hand-painted portrait, and the original is on its way, let's talk.
  • For prints larger than 13"x19", or on anything other than paper, I will usually wait for approval before printing; but I reserve the right to print what I sent if I don't hear back within 48 hours.

  Feel free to text me during busy dates (listed below) at 314-225-5881 as I only get to email once a day. Please include your name and/or order number.

• I ordered the 5x7 and it's too small to see the details!

  Since I'm a photorealistic artist, when the details are compressed to 5x7 size, your portrait will look like a photograph. You can order a larger size using this listing (you don't pay for the portrait again). Your digital files can usually be used to print up to one size up as well

• What do I do with the digital files?

  You should have received a link to a folder where you can get your digital copies (PNG and JPG). If you didn't, please reach out and I'll resend it. Click on the link on your phone or computer. You can save the images by downloading on a computer or open then tap and hold on a phone. Use either the png or jpg files to upload to a photo site or connect your phone and use it that way (most prefer .jpg). You can share this link with others.

• Get credit for referring my services!

  If you refer anyone to order from me, make sure they tell me that you referred them and you'll get a code for an additional 10% off your next order up to 50% off an order of your choice. I'll keep count of the referrals and you just send me a message when you place your order and I'll let you know how many referrals you have and you can let me know how many you want to apply to your order. Share the love!