Pic attached. Am I dumb? I can't work this out.

[sadkoala]

I've recently messaged an artist who does commissions with 2 old pictures attached asking them if they are able to work with that resolution of photo and create a piece using them.

The reply I got is in the pic attached. Am I correct in thinking they are saying they cannot do it? Or are they just covering their own backs and stating upfront it might not be as detailed as some of their other pieces if image isn't high resolution?

I feel really dumb and like my brain isn't working. Help?

The pictures aren't blurred but I suppose if you wanted to zoom in on them to get the super fine detail they would be as they are rather old and taken with a film camera.

No picture is attached.

I can't see your picture sorry

Pic

The link below only takes you to the listing for the pencil portraits they do where if your read the description it says they prefer high resolution images.

Its in the first paragrah - cannot work with blurry, out of focus low quality blah blah

They’re suggesting you have it done in pencil instead of watercolour.

They can't do the watercolour as the picture isn't detailed enough.

I think what they are saying is this is something they can do. However it may not be as detailed as their other work because the photo they are painting from only has do much detail. I personally think the success of this would depend on the style of their work.

I'm an artist (although don't paint) I know a bit about it. If you were able to post a pic of their work I might be able to help more.

Very unclear what he/ she means. Especially the bit about pencil drawings - the ‘however’ suggests she/ he’s about to say they can do it in pencil but then the last part ‘I have explained the sbove’ Suggests that she/ he can’t.
Nothing to do with your brain - confusing and unclear information.

He's saying he can do a pencil drawing if you want, though it may not be perfect because of the low resolution image.

Can't do watercolour, is suggesting pencil. Hope that helps.

By warning you upfront they're covering themselves in case you complain after the work is done. Whether watercolour or pencil, they prefer unblurry original material. Uunfortunately the quality of old prints is often low. However you may be satisfied with a good likeness. Do they have examples of work that might give you an idea of their capabilities?

I didn't think watercolour was detailed? I know nothing about art, but I'd have assumed that pencil drawings are more detailed than water colour surely?

Leaving aside my ignorance, it's a confusing message... and a little off-hand to me the way it reads, though that could just be me.

Yes - I agree. He appears to be saying he cannot do the watercolour but could do the pencil drawing. But if not clear, just ask him to clarify.

I think you need to ask for clarification - it's not your brain, it's them being unclear!

Here's the sort of thing they do.

Put simply, they explained that for watercolor they need high res good quality reference photos. They have had previously explained that watercolor needs to be high res but they can do something from the pics you sent but only in pencil.

As an artist I do NOT take on commissions with poor reference photos as the artist gets the blame never the reference photos when there are unrealistic expectations.

The artist can do the watercolour but the higher the resolution the more detail he can paint. He can do it but it may not be as detailed as you would like unless you supply a clearer photo.

If your photos aren't blurred but aren't modern digital images, then artists who use Photoshop/Corel to create those kind of watercolour style images would struggle.
The software can see the individual dots used to create the image, and the output is completely different. You cant try it yourself; scan a photo from a book at a hi res, and apply a filter, then repeat with a digital file.

I'm sorry I can't help, but would you mind messaging me the name/website of the artist? It's beatiful

The artist will do both, but he or she is explaining the water colour may not turn out as you would like due to the poor photo, and is suggesting a pencil may be better, however you can go ahead with either knowing the limitations.

@userschmoozer but they don't use Photoshop I don't think? The listing says hand painted?
Am I missing something?

I love that watercolour.

That doesn't look hand painted, I would think as Schmoozer said, it's Photoshop/Corel. So low res image wouldn't work - it would stay low res but if done in 'pencil' style the low res would work because it's more suited to a lower quality image.

How much do they charge because that should tell you if it's hand painted or computer generated.

I don't think it's hand painted either, and as the options seem to be prints, I don't think they do paint the original, or they would offer you that. Cheeky to advertise it as watercolours IMO.