Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked questions

frequently asked questions

How to get the best images of your pet

When it comes to photographing animals, you are often at the mercy of the animal’s mood.

This text will give you some tips on how to get the best photographs of your pet. The better the photographs are, the better your artwork will be.

1. Shoot outdoors on a slightly cover day or in a well-lit place indoors. For example, next to a window.
Do not place your animal in front of a large light source, this will create a backlight making your animal exposure very dark.

2. Avoid using a flash. If you have enough natural light, you won’t need it and I’ll have an accurate idea of the colors.

3. Lower yourself to their eye level. You can also raise them at your eye level by placing them on a chair or on the sofa, which could also be a good backdrop for the portrait.

4. Ask a second person to help you. One to be ready to take pictures and one to put the dog down and distract him.

5. Try to wait until you are about to take the picture and make a noise that will get the animal’s attention.
This usually causes them to freeze just long enough to get that much desired shot.

6. Multiple Subjects: It is sometimes possible to create a multiple portrait from individual photographs. Be sure to take them all at the same height. Ideally with the light coming from the same side so that shadows will fall in the same way in the scene. However, I will need a photo showing the animals together to allow me to see the proportions between them.

7. Above all, try to get a photo that really captures the face you know and love.
The finished drawing always has the potential to be better than the reference photo, but the better the photo, the more I can guarantee a drawing that captures their character.

8. Finally, be patient! The perfect shot doesn’t always happen right away. Sometimes it’s the first picture I take, sometimes it’s 100 pictures later. Try different settings and methods, because it’s worth it to get the perfect photo and the most beautiful drawing possible!

9. I’m going to ask you to send me your photos using Dropbox, WeTransfer or another file transfer app.
Facebook is the worst way to transfer photos since they are very compressed and lose all their quality.

Feel free to contact me for more advice on getting the best shot.
You can send me your pictures at info@jolicoeurstudio.com

Good luck!

How to get the best images of your pet

When it comes to photographing animals, you are often at the mercy of the animal’s mood.

This text will give you some tips on how to get the best photographs of your pet. The better the photographs are, the better your artwork will be.

1. Shoot outdoors on a slightly cover day or in a well-lit place indoors. For example, next to a window.
Do not place your animal in front of a large light source, this will create a backlight making your animal exposure very dark.

2. Avoid using a flash. If you have enough natural light, you won’t need it and I’ll have an accurate idea of the colors.

3. Lower yourself to their eye level. You can also raise them at your eye level by placing them on a chair or on the sofa, which could also be a good backdrop for the portrait.

4. Ask a second person to help you. One to be ready to take pictures and one to put the dog down and distract him.

5. Try to wait until you are about to take the picture and make a noise that will get the animal’s attention.
This usually causes them to freeze just long enough to get that much desired shot.

6. Multiple Subjects: It is sometimes possible to create a multiple portrait from individual photographs. Be sure to take them all at the same height. Ideally with the light coming from the same side so that shadows will fall in the same way in the scene. However, I will need a photo showing the animals together to allow me to see the proportions between them.

7. Above all, try to get a photo that really captures the face you know and love.
The finished drawing always has the potential to be better than the reference photo, but the better the photo, the more I can guarantee a drawing that captures their character.

8. Finally, be patient! The perfect shot doesn’t always happen right away. Sometimes it’s the first picture I take, sometimes it’s 100 pictures later. Try different settings and methods, because it’s worth it to get the perfect photo and the most beautiful drawing possible!

9. I’m going to ask you to send me your photos using Dropbox, WeTransfer or another file transfer app.
Facebook is the worst way to transfer photos since they are very compressed and lose all their quality.

Feel free to contact me for more advice on getting the best shot.
You can send me your pictures at info@jolicoeurstudio.com

Good luck!

How to get the best images of your pet

When it comes to photographing animals, you are often at the mercy of the animal’s mood.

This text will give you some tips on how to get the best photographs of your pet. The better the photographs are, the better your artwork will be.

1. Shoot outdoors on a slightly cover day or in a well-lit place indoors. For example, next to a window.
Do not place your animal in front of a large light source, this will create a backlight making your animal exposure very dark.

2. Avoid using a flash. If you have enough natural light, you won’t need it and I’ll have an accurate idea of the colors.

3. Lower yourself to their eye level. You can also raise them at your eye level by placing them on a chair or on the sofa, which could also be a good backdrop for the portrait.

4. Ask a second person to help you. One to be ready to take pictures and one to put the dog down and distract him.

5. Try to wait until you are about to take the picture and make a noise that will get the animal’s attention.
This usually causes them to freeze just long enough to get that much desired shot.

6. Multiple Subjects: It is sometimes possible to create a multiple portrait from individual photographs. Be sure to take them all at the same height. Ideally with the light coming from the same side so that shadows will fall in the same way in the scene. However, I will need a photo showing the animals together to allow me to see the proportions between them.

7. Above all, try to get a photo that really captures the face you know and love.
The finished drawing always has the potential to be better than the reference photo, but the better the photo, the more I can guarantee a drawing that captures their character.

8. Finally, be patient! The perfect shot doesn’t always happen right away. Sometimes it’s the first picture I take, sometimes it’s 100 pictures later. Try different settings and methods, because it’s worth it to get the perfect photo and the most beautiful drawing possible!

9. I’m going to ask you to send me your photos using Dropbox, WeTransfer or another file transfer app.
Facebook is the worst way to transfer photos since they are very compressed and lose all their quality.

Feel free to contact me for more advice on getting the best shot.
You can send me your pictures at info@jolicoeurstudio.com

Good luck!

Questions

What material do you use ?

For the surface, I like Clairefontaine Pastelmat paper, Strathmore Bristol 500, Arches Hot Pressed 140lb and Drafting film .005.
For the colored pencils I mostly use Faber Castell Polychromos, Caran d’Aches Pablo and Derwent Studio pencils. So I need different brands for different colors and tones.

How long have you been drawing ?

I have been drawing since my childhood. I was the kind of kid who could spend hours filling out notebooks and drawing on every possible surface.
I am a self-taught artist, having learned by practicing and looking in art books.
I have been drawing and painting professionally since 2016.

Are you teaching ?

Yes, I teach graphite pencil and colored pencil drawing. I offer my courses at the Outaouais Academy for Retired.
I would also like to develop a drawing course that I would offer on the Internet.

What is your advice on drawing realistic fur ?

One piece of advice, PATIENCE. Patience is the key.
I’m always amazed when some artists don’t know what’s wrong with their portrait and come to me for advice. I ask them, how long did it take you ? and they answer, 3 hours. Of course, it won’t be beautiful in 3 hours ! So patience is the key! Another tip, be sure to focus on values, light and shadows. Light and shadows are much more important than details. Block out the lightest and darkest areas of your portrait. This will give it the realistic look you are looking for.

Are you using a fixative ?

No, I don’t, ever!
Fixatives adds chemicals to colored pencils, I use high quality pencils, fixative can also yellowed the board over time or just affect its qualities in general.
All the papers I use are acid free and museum quality.

How long can take a portrait to draw ?

It depends on the size and complexity of the project. Small portraits can take 15-30 hours. Larger portraits can take 40-70 hours or even longer if they are really large and very complicate.

Questions

What material do you use ?

For the surface, I like Clairefontaine Pastelmat paper, Strathmore Bristol 500, Arches Hot Pressed 140lb and Drafting film .005.
For the colored pencils I mostly use Faber Castell Polychromos, Caran d’Aches Pablo and Derwent Studio pencils. So I need different brands for different colors and tones.

How long have you been drawing ?

I have been drawing since my childhood. I was the kind of kid who could spend hours filling out notebooks and drawing on every possible surface.
I am a self-taught artist, having learned by practicing and looking in art books.
I have been drawing and painting professionally since 2016.

Are you teaching ?

Yes, I teach graphite pencil and colored pencil drawing. I offer my courses at the Outaouais Academy for Retired.
I would also like to develop a drawing course that I would offer on the Internet.

What is your advice on drawing realistic fur ?

One piece of advice, PATIENCE. Patience is the key.
I’m always amazed when some artists don’t know what’s wrong with their portrait and come to me for advice. I ask them, how long did it take you ? and they answer, 3 hours. Of course, it won’t be beautiful in 3 hours ! So patience is the key! Another tip, be sure to focus on values, light and shadows. Light and shadows are much more important than details. Block out the lightest and darkest areas of your portrait. This will give it the realistic look you are looking for.

Are you using a fixative ?

No, I don’t, ever!
Fixatives adds chemicals to colored pencils, I use high quality pencils, fixative can also yellowed the board over time or just affect its qualities in general.
All the papers I use are acid free and museum quality.

How long can take a portrait to draw ?

It depends on the size and complexity of the project. Small portraits can take 15-30 hours. Larger portraits can take 40-70 hours or even longer if they are really large and very complicate.

Questions

What material do you use ?

For the surface, I like Clairefontaine Pastelmat paper, Strathmore Bristol 500, Arches Hot Pressed 140lb and Drafting film .005.
For the colored pencils I mostly use Faber Castell Polychromos, Caran d’Aches Pablo and Derwent Studio pencils. So I need different brands for different colors and tones.

How long have you been drawing ?

I have been drawing since my childhood. I was the kind of kid who could spend hours filling out notebooks and drawing on every possible surface.
I am a self-taught artist, having learned by practicing and looking in art books.
I have been drawing and painting professionally since 2016.

Are you teaching ?

Yes, I teach graphite pencil and colored pencil drawing. I offer my courses at the Outaouais Academy for Retired.
I would also like to develop a drawing course that I would offer on the Internet.

What is your advice on drawing realistic fur ?

One piece of advice, PATIENCE. Patience is the key.
I’m always amazed when some artists don’t know what’s wrong with their portrait and come to me for advice. I ask them, how long did it take you ? and they answer, 3 hours. Of course, it won’t be beautiful in 3 hours ! So patience is the key! Another tip, be sure to focus on values, light and shadows. Light and shadows are much more important than details. Block out the lightest and darkest areas of your portrait. This will give it the realistic look you are looking for.

Are you using a fixative ?

No, I don’t, ever!
Fixatives adds chemicals to colored pencils, I use high quality pencils, fixative can also yellowed the board over time or just affect its qualities in general.
All the papers I use are acid free and museum quality.

How long can take a portrait to draw ?

It depends on the size and complexity of the project. Small portraits can take 15-30 hours. Larger portraits can take 40-70 hours or even longer if they are really large and very complicate.

I would love to hear from you

If you have any questions or just want to discuss an idea for a portrait to be drawn, if you don’t know how to place your portrait order or want more information about how I do it…

Feel free to contact me using the form below.

You can also contact me by clicking on the Facebook link below and using the messenger button.

I will answer within 24 hours.

I would love to hear from you

If you have any questions or just want to discuss an idea for a portrait to be drawn, if you don’t know how to place your portrait order or want more information about how I do it…

Feel free to contact me using the form below.

You can also contact me by clicking on the Facebook link below and using the messenger button.

I will answer within 24 hours.

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Si vous avez des questions ou vous désirez simplement discuter d’une idée de portrait à faire dessiner, si vous ne savez pas comment placer votre commande de portrait ou vous voulez plus d’informations concernant ma façon de procéder…

N’hésitez pas à me contacter en utilisant le formulaire ci-dessous.

Je vais vous répondre à l’intérieur de 24 heures