F A Q
Questions people actually ask.
Is it really hand-painted? How do I know it isn't AI or a print?
Yes. I paint every one myself, in oil, on canvas.
Two things here are hard to fake. First, the process: I compose a mockup, you approve it, then I spend about a week at the easel. Second, the curing week — oil has to harden before it can be packed. A print would already be in the mail.
If you want to see brushwork close up, or shots as I work, ask and I'll send them.
My photo isn't very good. Is that a problem?
Usually not. I've worked from blurry phone shots, old scans, and screengrabs. Send whatever you have and I'll tell you honestly whether it'll work — before I start.
“The resolution of the photograph was very poor yet the detail in the painting was spot on!”
Kayla — Jul 2025
Can you combine several photos into one painting?
Yes, and it's some of my favorite work. I regularly paint people who were never photographed together.
“I thrust 7 unrelated images on the artist and hoped they could turn it to something coherent. Within just one day they composed a spec for the painting that exactly captured every prompt sent in with the purchase.”
Amelia — Oct 2025
Can I ask for changes?
Yes. You see it as a mockup before I start, and as a finished painting before it ships. Both times, tell me what to change. I revise until you're happy.
“At first they made her eyes blue but when I mentioned they're actually green, they said no problem and changed it for me.”
Nicole — Jan 2026
Can you paint someone who has passed away?
Yes. A significant share of my commissions are memorials, for people and for pets. Send me what you have and tell me about them.
How long does it take?
About a week to paint. Then I send photos and we refine — usually 3–5 days. Then the oil needs roughly another week to cure before it's safe to pack.
My goal is to ship within four weeks of mockup approval. I guarantee no later than five. If I'm going to miss that, you'll hear it from me first, and you can cancel for a full refund.
The drying week isn't padding. Oil has to cure. It's one of the ways you can tell this isn't a print.
How will I know what's happening?
Your order page shows exactly where your painting is and which day it's on, the whole way through.
You'll hear from me directly at the two moments that matter: when your mockup is ready, and when the painting is finished. Both times you can change anything.
In between, I'll be quiet — I'm painting. An unfinished oil painting is misleading, and stopping to photograph it breaks the work. If you'd rather see it in progress anyway, just ask.
“He showed me the painting and was able to edit a little towards the end as well.”
Clemmie — Jul 2026
Will it arrive safely?
Every painting ships packed for transit, framed, with a hanging kit included.
“Art was packaged extremely well and included a hanging kit and mini level. Highly professional.”
Lauren — Feb 2025
I'm outside the U.S. What will I actually pay?
My price covers my labor and materials — that's it.
Inside the U.S.: shipping is free. The price you see is the price you pay.
Outside the U.S.: shipping is calculated at checkout and paid by you. Customs duties and import taxes are set by your country, billed by your carrier on delivery, and are not included in anything you pay me. They can be significant. I have no way to calculate or collect them in advance.
Who actually paints it?
I do. Every one. There is no team and no outsourcing.
“Derek is absolutely wonderful to work with and truly helps to bring your vision to life!”
Shelley — Feb 2025
What if I don't like it?
You'll have seen it before it ships — twice.
First as a mockup, before I start painting. Cancel at that point for a full refund, no questions asked. Second as a photograph of the finished painting, before it's packed. Tell me what to change and I'll revise until you're happy.
Because every piece is made for one person and can't be resold, I don't accept returns once a portrait has shipped and arrived as approved. But if it's damaged in transit, or if it never arrives, that's on me — I'll repair, replace, or refund.