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The pdf and giff or jpeg forms are only useful for orders sent through the post accompanied by a cheque - mainly ordered by UK residents. Eventually I will have an online order form but for the time being if you are outside the UK and don't want to wait or postage and paper then just email your request, using the order form as a guide only. If it helps, you could copy this TEXT (click) into your email type in the relevant information after the colons (:) . If you can include any pictures (jpegs) - all the better!
2 Why are prints of the newer cars not available?
Hopefully this is only temporary, I have yet to find time to seek permission from these manufactures to use their logos, In most cases, grill or bonnet emblems to all intents and purposes are the companies logo. Most companies have strict guidelines as to the usage of their logos. In any event, appearance of logos on this site does not suggest approval, sponsorship or guarantees of accuracy of any drawings by manufacturers.
3 How are the drawings done?
They are drawn with Adobe illustrator on an Apple Macintosh. This may seem like cheating but I've found it just as hard and time consuming as traditional methods, requiring the same basic drawing ability. It has however the advantage of editing and duplication making Technical Portraits available to many people possible.
4 My car is a non-original colour. Does that matter?
No, however getting the colour right is the most problematic whether it is an original colour or not. At this stage if you can supply a swatch in some form, rather than just the name the that would be of enormous help. There is a certain amount of objectiveness in my interpretation of a colour. Many of the mid-tone and pastel colours have to be done slightly lighter to look right.
5 My car is a special and highly modified
The general format of the drawings on this site are limited to 'showroom spec', but it is of course necessary on my part to be a bit flexible. What is and what is not original, is often a subject of debate amongst experts and collectors anyway. If the car is so far removed from the original, perhaps it has been hotted up and looks more like a rally car then it is still possible to have a portrait done, though you will need to email some pictures to give an idea of how much extra work is available and thus make a quote possible for the extra work required."
6 Is there a charge for two-tone and metallic colours?
Only if the car in question did not have a 2-tone or metallic paint option at the time of production or the coloured areas differ from what would have come out of the factory. I have tried to use 2-tone samples on the website as much as possible to illustrate these.
6 What is the delivery time for my print?
If the car is already on the website and only needs a change of colour, number plate, caption and perhaps wing mirrors and wire wheel option, one-two weeks. For similar cars to those on the website but actually drawn yet please use the e-mail address to enquire about availability. You could perhaps send all the necessary reference ( see photo tips page) to help speed up and enlarge the list but not include any payment.
7 I'm an expert photographer why is it important that I read your tips on photography?
The content of photos rather than the quality is more important. Minimum perspective, square on and a reference of scale is required. It doesn't matter if the car looks a wreck with rust and bits falling off. In fact if the car is dirty or dull it may be better as reflections from flash lights don't cause flare.
8 Why have you drawn the car wider than it is?
Actually I probably haven't - it just looks that way when you compare my drawing to a typical photograph which has perspective. Only when using a telephoto lens from several hundred yards away do you get a true idea of the profile of what a car actually is photographically. It is significant that Architects, draughtsmen and engineers who are used to seeing scaled drawings do not find car profiles odd or 'wrong'. The average person is somewhat conditioned by photographic images and has a different expectation to what a two dimensional representation of their car should be. MORE
9 Will my photographs be returned to me?
Only if requested (in the case of CDs the postage may cost as much as the CD)
Original, treasured old photographs, would be returned by recorded delivery (please include an extra SAE). Though it would be safer if good quality copies were sent or the original was scanned and emailed or burnt to CD.
10 Your charge doesn't include VAT. Why is this?
Simply, I am no longer registered for VAT. This is a slight deviation from my previous business in as far as I am now dealing with the general public rather than other registered for VAT businesses. I want to keep the price to classic car owners to a minimum. If in the future this status changes then the final price to you would be higher.
11 If I find a mistake on my print what shall I do?
A proof is now sent out with all orders. Check this thoroughly for any errors and mark up the corrections on this or a photostatted copy and post back to me. If the changes are very minor you can e-mail them to me. If it is for a gift and you are not a 100% sure of the factual details, then it may be safer to present the proof to the recipient, allowing he or she to make the final checks ensuring the best possible end result.
12 The original drawing on your site is wrong!
Please, please let me know on your order. In some case the original subject I worked from had been modified and i have a limited knowledge of how it should be. I will rectify this for your print and ASAP update the image on the site.
13 The original drawing on your site has extras that I think wouldn't be on when it left the factory?
On the original drawing I would draw on all the extras that the owner had added, this gave the owner that extra bonus to thank him for his time regarding reference material and technical information. I may have left these on accidentally or there is confusion as to what should original. In any event I can remove anything without extra cost. Only adding or changing details increase the cost. Typical examples of this are aerials, badges, mudflaps and mirrors. Please use the contact details for a quote on extra work.
14 Is it cheaper if all you have to do is change the number plate?
No. Although changing the number plates take only a few minutes, the same applies to changing the colour and pasting in the correct mirrors etc. Putting aside the uniqueness and quality of the product, what you are actually paying for is the running of a laser printer (£1,000s), the administration (invoicing, logging, emailing etc), postage a packing, and hundreds of hours of development and original drawing and queueing up at the post office for half an hour (longer before Christmas)!
So please don't expect a discount just because, by luck the sample which appears on the website at the time matches your car. Anyway, this may only be temporary as the original drawing I work from may have been updated or altered to another colour since the uploading to the website.(see following)
15 Why do say that 'generics' will not necessary be the same colour as those appearing on the website.
Some of the drawings were done some years ago. When revisiting them for a commission I invariably make improvements and make a few tweaks (I like to think that my drawing abilities and knowledge are actually improving) - unfortunately this is usually during or after the process of personalising them - improving (sometimes changing) the colour etc. This new drawing then becomes the basis for the next commission of that particular car. The original one is then deleted.
16 My car is not on your list will you draw it for me
In the conventional sense I do not do commisions unless for publication.
Except for a very few examples all of the cars drawn by me are those I have photographed and measured in person rather than from photos sent too me.
They mostly have appeared at local rallies. Measuring and photographing alone can take up to 2 hours so it is unlikely that you could email sufficent information for me to do an accurate drawing.
They are done in the spirit of a hobby, rather than commecial basis as the original drawing can take up to 40 hours. So realistically I would have to charge £400+ for a drawing. The 'portraits' I supply could be described as an end or bi-product of a hobby.
To just have one copy in a portfolio and not be able to share it maybe could be a bit sad, besides it is something the owners can cherish as a thankyou for their technical assistance. In time I hope to publish a series of books displaying them.
Sorry and thanks for your interest I take it a great compliment and I hope you understand and are not too dissappointed.
17 Do you do anything other than portraits or generic prints?
Greetings cards, mugs, calendars, table mats, postcards are all possible uses that car profiles in some format could be applied. unfortunately I personally do not have the time or resources to develop or produce these. My objective is to draw as many car profiles as I can within the time available.
18 Can you supply pictures framed?
In an attempt to provide a fast efficient portrait service and to get nearer my ultimate objective to produce 1,000 different car profiles (nearly 400 so far) the framing side is more of recommendation where I take no commission allowing you to lias directly with a local picture framer.
Therefore I would like to recommend the excellent craftsmen of the Uckfield Framing Company particularly if you live in that area of East Sussex. I can forward the final print to them. Please contact them and make separate arrangements for collection/delivery and payment etc. (01825 768587)