FAQ

Sincere Apologies, the Private Commissions Service is now closed. Text remains below for the records.

Heavens to Betsy’s artist and founder, Nancy Ellis, provides you with a unique opportunity to commission an illustration of your child, in her vibrant and distinctive children’s book style.

Here’s a handy step by step guide to ordering:

  1. Have a rummage through your photos and select some favourites.
  2. Identify whether your photo is a Moment or a Portrait piece (see below for descriptions)
  3. Choose whether you would prefer a black and white or colour illustration

If you’re finding it tricky to choose a photo, help is at hand!
Simply email a selection and I’d be more than happy to help you make that decision.

Moment

Where the subject is engaged in an activity or generally unaware that the photo has been taken. Faces are either side on/ looking down/ facing away from the camera.

Portrait

A Portrait commission is where the subject is facing directly or 3⁄4 towards the camera.

Bespoke Books, Greetings Cards, Favourite Toy Portraits and more.

Nancy offers a completely bespoke service to all her clients, often discussing specific requests for larger scale projects. For more information, drop Nancy a line for a chat with no obligation.

If you need any more information, please take a look at the FAQ page or email us.

I need to cancel my order

There’s a 5 day period once you’ve confirmed your order, to cancel without any fee being incurred.
After this time, there’s a likelihood that work would have started on the commission and therefore it wouldn’t be possible to cancel.

How long will my order take?

Depending on the waiting list at the time, illustrations usually take between 4-5 weeks to complete.

How do I pay?

Once your order is confirmed and the illustration completed, you will be emailed a low res proof for your approval. It’s an ideal chance to feedback should there be anything that you’re unhappy with.
On approval, you will receive an invoice for the total order amount.
This must be paid via your regular bank transfer method, before your order can be prepared for print and posted out to you.

What will I receive?

All prints are supplied in a protective folder and are ready for you to frame.
All artworks are signed, giclee, fine art prints. We use a traditional, 100% cotton rag, moulded paper with a smooth heavyweight feel to it and a thickness of 300 gsm. It is an unbleached and acid free paper, printed with pigmented inks. Your print will last for beyond 100 years!

What size are the prints?

All commissions are produced to A5 size and include a complimentary print as standard with all orders. If you’d prefer a larger sized artwork than A5, you can opt to increase the size of your artwork to A4 or larger. This incurs a small additional charge to allow for the time refining details for a larger scale.
Additional prints are available to order, please see pricing for individual prices.

I would like more than one illustration, are there special offers for this?

Absolutely, I would be more than happy to work out a price for a selection of illustrations that form one order together. Please do feel free to contact me with your requests and we can work out a great package!

I have more than one child, but don’t have them in a photo together.
Can you put them into one illustration?

Yes this is possible! I’m more than happy to tailor make compositions depending on your requirements. It is not always possible depending on the angle that the children are photographed from, but often it is possible, so please feel free to get in touch with examples or questions.

Can my illustration have a hand written caption?

Yes, if you’d like to title your illustration, simply request at the time of order via email to discuss further. Captions traditionally appear beneath the illustration in the bottom right hand corner.

Happily ever after….

Once you’ve received your order, you will have a moment to cherish forever, that is totally unique and personal to you. A story that may otherwise have never been shared with your friends or family, a piece of handcrafted artwork for your children to look back on, and something to make you smile however grown up your children are!