FAQs
PAYMENTS, SHIPPING, AND RETURNS
Do I need to create an account at checkout?
No, you do not need to (nor will it allow you to) create an account at checkout, even though it asks you in the "Customer" section if you would like to sign in (under the email field). This is only because the platform which hosts Him Alone Art allows for account creation, but Him Alone Art has disabled that function on this Site. Once you enter your email, the option will simply disappear.
Can I purchase a painting or wall art via monthly payments?
Shipping
All orders SHIP FREE to the contiguous United States within 3-4 business days of purchase and will typically ship via USPS or UPS. For more details, visit the Shipping and Returns page.
Returns
Products on this site are all custom-made, including prints which are crafted according to customers’ size & style choices. Due to this specialization, a full refund is unfortunately impossible except in the case of damage. See Shipping & Returns for full details.
PRODUCT DETAILS
Original Paintings
I am still in the process of discovering my favorite materials - a process which may take the rest of my life if other artists are any indication. ;) In any event, I have outlined the details of the original painting on each product page, including the approximate size of the painting, the medium in which it was painted, and the type of surface upon which it was painted (such as wrapped canvas, canvas panel, etc.). I have tried to provide an adequate sense of the painting with the media provided on the product page; if, however, you would like more views, simply contact me with the specific views you would like, and, if possible, I will send additional images or answer any other questions you might have. :)
No hanging hardware is included with the purchase of an original painting unless specified or unless ordered with a frame, where offered.
The purchase of an original painting, by any method or means, including by pre-order or commission, also comes with the disclaimer that unforeseen events or accidents may befall an original painting at any point in time between purchase and delivery; thus, because an original painting is quite literally irreplaceable, your purchase of an original painting does not constitute a guarantee that you will receive the painting. However, in the event of the painting being either demonstrably damaged in transit or becoming undeliverable for any reason, you will receive a full refund.
Gallery Wrapped Canvas Prints
As mentioned on the information slide on the product page, the Gallery Wrapped Canvas Prints are giclée printed with archival inks onto OBA-free, acid-free canvas. This canvas is 65% poly/35% cotton with a thickness of 19 mil and a weight of 350 g. It is then wrapped in a "mirrored sides" style around 1 1/2" deep Tulip Poplar stretcher bars. The final print is coated with an environmentally-friendly, solvent-free varnish to guard against UV fading and to encourage scratch and water resistance (though the varnish does not provide an impregnable barrier to any of these threats). Hanging hardware (D-rings, stainless steel wire, and felt bumpers) is included with the purchase of any gallery wrapped canvas print, whether ordered with or without framing.
Fine Art Paper Prints
As mentioned on the information slide on the product page, the Fine Art Paper Prints are giclée printed with archival inks onto OBA-free, lignin-free, acid-free, 100% cotton paper. This paper has a smooth finish with a thickness of 21.5 mil and a weight of 290 g. (Varnish layers are only applied to canvas prints; therefore, no varnish is applied to the fine art paper prints. Because varnish also has the effect of enriching colors and enhancing contrasts, this means these fine art paper prints are the “softest” looking of all the print options.)
Framed options are mounted onto acid-free foam board, hinging the print to the board with removable, acid-free tape. Spacers are used in place of matting to hold the “non-glare”, acrylic "glass" away from the surface of the print. (Frames will overlap the image, producing a slightly cropped visual effect compared to the images shown on the product listing. The degree to which this is noticeable will be largely dependent upon the size of the print being ordered.) Hanging hardware (D-rings, stainless steel wire, and felt bumpers) is only included for fine art prints ordered with framing. (If you order a fine art print with the intention of framing it yourself, be aware that it is imperative to the safety and longevity of your art print that whatever is used for “glass” in the frame is not touching the surface of the art print. The use of spacers or matting is highly recommended.)
If diminished light-glare is important to you in wall art, then this fine art print, framed behind “non-glare” acrylic, is the option for you, recognizing at the same time that, as with all matte surfaces, it will not have the more dramatic color enhancements of the gloss-finished options. Both the varnished canvas and the resin-coated premium photo paper will have a glossier surface with associated light glare, as will the varnished original paintings for that matter.
Photo Paper Prints
As mentioned on the information slide on the product page, the Premium Photo Paper Prints are giclée printed with archival inks onto resin-coated photo paper. This paper has a pearlescent finish and a thickness of 10 mil and a weight of 260 g.
While professionally printed on premium paper, this is my attempt to make my art prints more broadly financially accessible. As such, it does not come with a framing option; however, it does not require matting or spacers when framing and can, therefore, be placed directly in contact with the glass in any standard photo frame. I have attempted, whenever possible, to include standard sizes in the print options to make finding ready-made frames easier. Keep in mind as well that small adjustments can often be made by trimming the print to fit, such as trimming a 12" x 16" Premium Photo Paper Print to fit into a 12" x 15" frame if necessary. In any case, if cost-effectiveness is a primary goal, then it may be best to be certain of your frame size first before ordering the print, as purchasing non-standard frame sizes or custom framing will be more costly than if you require a common, ready-made size frame.
Frames
PRODUCT OPTIONS
Can I get a different sized Wall Print than what is listed in the drop-down box?
I can certainly entertain the possibility of a custom size wall art print if required. I cannot promise that every size imaginable is achievable, but there are certainly a great many that are - far too many to list. Each painting has been scanned at a resolution which allows it to be printed at 300dpi at up to four times its original size. If, then, you are interested in a wall art print that must be an exact size which is not listed in the product options, I ask that you first make certain you understand the section on enlargements and viewing distances below. Also, remember to factor in the ratio of the painting when calculating the size you would require. Once you are satisfied on these points, please contact me with the title of the painting you wanted printed, the dimensions you require, the type of wall art print you would like, and whether you would want it framed (including your color choice) or unframed. I will get back to you to let you know if I can accommodate you, bearing in mind that I may be in the studio or have other demands upon my time that may prevent me from making an immediate reply. I will get back with you as soon as I can, however, and encourage you to reach out to me with this, or any other questions you may have. :)
Can I get other types of products other than wall art?
Eventually, yes. I am in the process of adding various products such as tote bags, blankets, coasters, etc. to the print options for the paintings, but that is still in the development stages. In the meantime, please feel free to contact me if you are interested in a particular painting on a particular product type (for example, "Mists of Time" on a throw pillow), and I will do what I can to see if I can help you. :)
Do you accept commissioned paintings/pet portraits?
The short answer is both yes and no. I am not primarily an artist who works by commission, but I do have a desire to accommodate people where and when I can. So I am always willing to consider taking on a commission. Please read the details regarding this on the Commissions Information page.
What should I know about Enlargements and Viewing Distances?
Wall prints on this site are offered at various sizes, which means that with the exception of one of the sizes all the others are either reductions or enlargements of the original size. I have indicated on all of my listings the size of the original painting so you can have some idea of the degree of enlargement necessary to achieve the size wall print you would like. Naturally, this will mean the canvas weave, the nature of the brushstrokes, any limitations of the scanning process, et cetera will be magnified by some amount for sizes larger than the original. Partially because of this, but also just as a rule of thumb when deciding what size wall art to place in various locations, it is important to understand viewing distances.
The guideline, therefore, for wall art - be it original paintings, photography, or fine art prints - is that the viewer should be at a distance equal to 1.5x to 2x the diagonal of the art in question. The enlargements offered on this site have been quality tested in accordance with this rule. For your guidance, this viewing distance has been provided on the size chart image that accompanies each listing.
OTHER QUESTIONS
Why are the "Pre-Order" paintings not listed for sale yet?
In the case of wall prints, this is likely because the digital file of the original has not been fully quality tested yet and requires more processing time to make it suitable for use in creating prints.
As regards original painting pre-orders, in order for prints to be offered of my original paintings, I first have to take them to be professionally captured in high resolution digital files then color corrected to match the original painting as closely as possible. This can be a tedious and time-consuming procedure, so I have currently only finished the process with a small handful of my paintings. The rest are still waiting their turn at the moment and others have been scanned but are awaiting varnishing and curing before they can be shipped.
In either case, there are a few important things to note about pre-order products. The first is that the expected availability date listed on the product page is not a guarantee of availability; it merely represents the date I expect the product to be ready. The actual date of release may be before or after the provided projected date. If you are in a situation where you need the product to be available by the date mentioned, then it is best not to order the item until it is taken out of the pre-order status so that your item has the best chance of being delivered within a more predictable time-frame.
Secondly, it is important to note that placing an order for a pre-order product also comes with the disclaimer that accidents or unforeseen events or complications may cause a wall-print digital file or an original painting to prove unsuitable for delivery at any point in time between purchase and delivery; thus, because the very nature of a pre-order product is that it is a product not technically in existence yet, your placement of a pre-order does not constitute a guarantee that you will receive the proposed item. However, in the event of the item being either demonstrably damaged in transit or becoming undeliverable for any reason, you will receive a full refund.
If I purchase a painting, can I reproduce it since I own it now?
What are the Care Instructions for Original Paintings?
As a general rule for paintings ordered on this site, normal dust/dirt particles or animal hair can be removed by gently wiping the painting's surface with a soft, lint-free, damp rag. Mild soap may also be used with care. It is unnecessary to frame original paintings behind a protective cover. If you do decide to do so, never frame an original painting with the surface touching the glass or acrylic glazing.
To protect against serious surface contamination, the paintings are coated with Golden Isolation Coat and Golden's Gloss Varnish to allow archival recovery if necessary. In the event of excessive contaminate buildup over time or of accidental damage, seeking the services of a professional restorer is advisable; nevertheless, instructions from Golden regarding removing the varnish can be found on their website.