FAQ
These are some of the most common questions I get asked. If you have additional questions, feel free to email me at flavia@flaviabernardesart.com
Payments
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Can I pay in my own currency?
- My prices are in euros, but you'll be charged in your own currency once you finish payment. Your credit card or PayPal statement will show your purchase in your own currency.
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Can I see the prices on your website in my own currency?
- Please click on the top left corner of the website to see prices in different currencies.
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How are payments processed?
- Payments are securely processed via Shopify Payments or Paypal. You can choose to pay with your credit card or your Paypal account.
Shipping and Handling
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Do you ship internationally?
- Yes, I do. I ship worldwide through the Irish Registered Post.
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How much does shipping cost?
- Shipping rates are calculated at checkout prior to purchase. Click on "View My Cart" and you'll a shipping calculator at the bottom of the page.
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Average Production Times
- Prints: 3 - 5 business days
- Commissions: roughly 4 weeks
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Average Delivery Times
- Please note that these are estimates. Actual delivery time time varies depending on each country postal system.
- Ireland: Next Working Day (Allow 3-5 Working Days to Northern Ireland)
- Great Britain: 3 - 5 Working Days
- Europe: 3 - 5 Working Days
- North and Central America: 6 - 9 Working Days
- South America: 8 - 11 Working Days
- Asia: 4 - 7 Working Days
- Australia and New Zealand: 6 - 9 Working Days
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Tracking & Delivery
- All orders will be shipped with the Irish Registered Post (AnPost).
- Once your order has shipped, you will receive a confirmation email with tracking information so you can prepare for its arrival.
- You can also enter the tracking number provided in your shipping confirmation email here.
- If multiple works have been purchased in one order they will be packaged individually.
- When viewing the tracking for purchases of more than one artwork the information will read as 1 of 2, 2 of 2 etc. and all works purchased will be trackable under one tracking number.
- Shipping times and shipping rates may depend on the location of the shipment address and the size of the item(s) being shipped.
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Customs Charges
- If you are purchasing from outside Ireland there may be customs fees. The carrier will contact you directly about any additional customs fees. All applicable customs fees are paid by the customer upon delivery.
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Packaging
- Your order will be packaged with the utmost care to ensure its safe arrival. I carefully package each order based on content with materials that protect your item(s) while making a great first impression.
- Artworks on paper are packaged in archival plastic sleeves with sturdy, white, archival foamcore backing.
- Stretched canvases are packaged with styrofoam, bubble wrapped and sent in sturdy cardboard boxes.
- Artwork larger than 50 inches is sent un-stretched and rolled safely in a sturdy tube.
Commissioned Art
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What is an art commission?
- An art commission is the hiring and payment for the creation of a custom piece of original art. A commission provides collectors with original works of art of a particular size, for a certain space, and/or of a specific subject matter.
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What are the steps to commission a painting?
- First you book a phone consult - or skype session.
- Once you decide to move forward and sign a commission contract, a 50% non-refundable deposit is required to make your booking official.
- After the deposit is paid, your commission will be placed on my creation calendar.
- When your start date arrives, a photography section is scheduled or you send me your photographs.
- I will send a pencil sketch shortly. You have 48 hours to respond to the pencil sketch with (up to 2) edits or an approval for the next step. Additional edits are $50 each.
- Upon approval of the pencil sketch, I will paint your commission and send you photos of the entire process.
- Once the painting is finished, I’ll digitalize it and e-mail you the finished piece in low resolution.
- The last invoice will be e-mailed to you with the remaining balance. Once paid, I will ship your painting and send you tracking information.
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Where can I go to commission a painting?
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When can I commission a painting?
- Please email me at flavia@flaviabernardesart.com to check availability before considering commissioning a painting.
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What's the investment?
- Costs vary and are dependant on the type of commission, size and medium used. Below is a rough guide to my prices for acrylics and watercolor paintings. These prices exclude travel, framing and other extras and are to be taken as a guideline only. For a no-strings-attached individual quote please contact me.
- Watercolor painting:
- Pricing begins at €300 for an 8" x 10" but actual pricing will depend on the complexity of the subjects involved
- Acrylic on Stretched Canvas:
- Pricing begins at €700 for a 12" x 12" but actual pricing will depend on the complexity of the subjects involved
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Can I pay in installments?
- I don't offer payment plans at this time, but you can find more affordable alternatives amongst the original artworks and prints on my shop.
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Do you offer discounts?
- I don't offer discounts, out of respect to my collectors who paid full price. But I do offer other options at different price points. Please check my original artworks and prints.
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What if I don't like the sketches you come up with?
- Once you commission a painting, you are required to sign a contract and a 50% non-refundable deposit is due to make your booking official. When your start date arrives, I will send a pencil sketch shortly and you have 48 hours to respond to the pencil sketch with up to 2 edits or an approval for the next step. Please notice that additional edits are $50 each. .
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Will I get to express my opinion?
- Your input is appreciated, but you also need to trust the artist and the process. Please make sure to check my other paintings to see if they match your style and taste, before commissioning a painting.
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Will this cost extra money?
- While it doesn't cost extra money to express your opinion, please notice that you can have up to 2 edits once you receive the pencil sketch. Additional edits are $50 each.
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How long will this process take?
- Each commission is unique, and each collector is provided with an estimate based on the factors below:
- Date the commission is booked
- Custom or standard sized canvas
- Subject matter
- Travel time, if applicable
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What if I live in another country?
- I ship internationally.
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Will it come with a frame?
- I don't offer framing options at this time, due to restrictions to international shipping.
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Once the commission is done how long will it take you to ship it?
- Acrylic and watercolor artworks are shipped within 1 - 3 days upon completion.
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How much does it cost to ship it?
- Shipping costs vary depending on size, weight and location. Each order placed will receive an estimate.
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How is my artwork going to be shipped?
- Acrylic and watercolor artworks are shipped within 1 - 3 days of completion.
- All artwork is wrapped in paper, padded extremely well, and sent in a well-fitting sturdy cardboard box.
- Most artwork will ship via AnPost Ireland and most packages arrive within 1 - 2 days (domestic) from time of shipping (includes tracking & insurance). International shipments will be sent via AnPost Ireland or other carrier. International buyers, please note that shipping charges may vary from the amount you pay at checkout. Please email me with questions or to get an estimate.
- Larger paintings are sent un-stretched and rolled safely in a sturdy tube.
- Please contact me, if you prefer to ship your large painting fully stretched. I will then use a freight service to expertly handle the painting and deliver it right to your house.
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What sizes do you work with?
- I work with different sizes of canvas and paper and do my best to accommodate every commission.
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Can I return the painting if I don't like it?
- Every order, commission, and sale is handled with extreme care and as much clarity and transparency as possible. My goal is for you to be completely satisfied with your purchase. For that reason, all sales are final except in certain situations. Please take the time to read descriptions carefully and the check colors on multiple screens if you are concerned about minor share variations. I try my best to represent the colors and tones in my work completely honestly and clearly.
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How long does it take to complete a commission?
- Each commission is unique, and each collector is provided with an estimate based on the factors below:
- Date the commission is booked;
- Custom or standard sized canvas;
- Subject matter;
- Travel time, if applicable;
- Once the commission is started it generally takes 2 - 4 weeks to paint.
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How do I care for my painting?
- Acrylic paintings:
- Avoid extreme and rapid shifts in humidity, and be careful not to puncture or stretch the canvas or to lean anything against it.
- Watercolors:
- Frame it using a mat (mount) to separate the artwork from the glass.
- Avoid extreme and rapid shifts in humidity.
- Make sure to use only use acid free adhesive.
- Prints:
- For prints, you will probably be able to find a frame that fits your work easily enough.
- Make sure to use only use acid free adhesive.
- For more information about how to care for your artwork, please check this article.
Copyright
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What does “© All rights reserved” mean?
- It means that Flavia Bernardes is the sole legal owner of her intellectual property and she reserves all of her rights.
- Ownership of a physical painting does not constitute any reproduction rights.
- Federal and international copyright laws strictly prohibit reproduction of any kind, including but not limited to electronic reproduction, without prior written authorization from Flavia Bernardes.
- Unauthorized reproduction creates significant legal liability and penalties.
- Violators will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.
Illustrations
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What kind of illustrations do you do?
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I work mainly with children's book illustrations.
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Can I commission illustrations from you?
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Please email me at flavia@flaviabernardesart.com to check availability.
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Do you license your work?
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Yes, I do. Please e-mail me at flavia@flaviabernardesart.com for more details.
Newsletter
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What do you usually send out?
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I usually send glimpses of my blog posts and behind the scene stuff, like paintings in progress and inspirations for paintings. Plus, you get access to exclusive sales and you get to shop new collections before they're available to anyone else on the website.
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Why would I want to join your list?
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There are some things that I only share with my subscribers and they are always the first ones to know when I have new products and services, so you might want to join in.
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Will you spam my inbox?
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No. I hate spam.
Blog
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What do you usually post about?
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The posts on my blog are usually about things that one way or another affect my work. It varies from inspiration, creativity and are always fun to read.
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How often do you post?
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I post every other Wednesday.
Contact
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How can I contact you?
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Feel free to email me with any questions, comments, or just to say hello. You can send me a message at flavia@flaviabernardesart.com and I'm on pretty much every social media platform as @flaviabernards
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When can I expect a reply?
- If you have bought something from me and have a question or concern, you can expect to hear back within 1 business day.
- If you are asking a general question or just want to connect, I answer those emails on Tuesdays and Fridays.
- I answer every single email myself and do my very best to reply within a reasonable timeframe.
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Where can I find you online?
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The best place to find me, is right here on my site and blog, but I'm on pretty much every social media platform as @flaviabernards. You can get a sneak peek at the behind the scenes stuff on Instagram or Facebook.
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Galleries:
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I am honored you would like my artwork on your walls. Please send me an email to discuss your gallery and ideas at flavia@flaviabernardesart.com
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Shop owners:
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Please contact me if you are interested in purchasing my prints. YOU MAY NOT RESELL ARTWORK (prints or originals) WITHOUT WRITTEN PERMISSION.
Press
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Can I feature you, or use your website images on my blog/article?
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I love working with bloggers, editors, stylists, and writers. There are lots of images on my site and you are free to use for your article. Just please, make sure to credit me. If you have any questions, please email me at flavia@flaviabernardesart.com
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Where can I find information about you to feature on my blog/article?
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Please email me with your request and I'll be happy to send you a high resolution picture and bio.