Custom fin drawings
From €85,-
Fins are to a surf board what phone chargers are to phones and what plates are to meals: you can try to do without but it will not take you long to crave for that one thing that completes them. Honour your fins, as they bring you everywhere in the beautiful ocean of life.
A custom fin drawing can be a subtle way to add a little bit of personalisation and happiness to your surf board, without it being too much ‘in your face’. It can be as small or big as you want: a little drawing on 1 side, all 3 fins the exact same on both sides, something different on every side, etc. The sky is the limit.
Do you want to personalise your fins in a subtle yet super detailed way? Or are you bored by normal canvas paintings on the wall and you want something really special as art? Then grab your fin key and hand those fins over to me so I can funnel all my creativity into them!
This is what you get
- A 30m introduction and exploring video call to get to know each other, see if we’re a match, and get an understanding of what you have in mind
- Pinterest guide covering the basics of Pinterest and how to make + share a board that will give me a better idea of the direction you want to head in
- A survey where we touch base with your ideas and desires
- A rough online sketch where you can provide feedback
- The best of the best materials
- Cleaning and preparing your fins with cleaning materials
- Drawings on the fins of course 😉 with 1 correction round
- Finishing with a waterproof topcoat
- A uniqueeeeee piece where I pour all my love and devotion into
All fun and games, but why would you even?
- Unique gift to yourself or to someone else
- Easier to recognise your board in a rack full of white surf boards with black fins
- Opportunity for (personal) branding
The creative process
Introduction call
In this call, we get to know each other a bit. We will also dive into your project to see what you have in mind. You can prepare this call by creating a Pinterest mood board, for which I have created an easy guide that will be provided
Briefing survey
You will share your mood board and anything else that will be useful for the briefing. Don’t worry, the questions in the survey will guide you through it
Sketch
I’ll create a rough sketch on my iPad so that we know what drawing will be used on what (side of the) fin(s). In the case of a mandala, we use your mood board to pick out different patterns for the ‘rings’ of the mandala. The sketch will not be 1-on-1 copied to the board, as the freestyling and live adjusting is a part of the process (and will lead to the best results)
Cleaning and prep
You drop off the fins and I start with the cleaning. We want the painting to be there forever, yes? So I make sure the surface is clean so that the drawings will stick and stay
Drawing on fins 1
I’ll find a peaceful yet inspiring place and get starrrrrrted! In the case of a mandala, I’ll use measurements tools to make sure everything is symmetrical and neat. If it’s more like a drawing, I use my pencils first. You might get some reports on the progress, depending on how focused I am 😉
Correction round
You have the opportunity to provide feedback. Please bear in mind I use permanent markers so maybe not all your feedback can be taken into account and implemented but it goes without saying that I try my very best
Finishing touch
When the corrections are processed (insofar possible), I add a finishing top coat to ensure the drawing stays well in the sun and the water. You are then invited to the formal and private ceremony to celebrate the rebirth of your baby fin(s) and can take it home afterwards (aka picking it up again)
Party wave
I want to improve, always. And I want to spread the love. In a short final survey, you will have the opportunity to provide feedback and write me a sweet ass testimonial that will inspire and motivate more ocean lovers
1. Introduction call
In this call, we get to know each other a bit. We will also dive into your project to see what you have in mind. You can prepare this call by creating a Pinterest mood board, for which I have created an easy guide that will be provided
2. Briefing survey
You will share your mood board and anything else that will be useful for the briefing. Don’t worry, the questions in the survey will guide you through it
3. Sketch
I’ll create a rough sketch on my iPad so that we know what drawing will be used on what (side of the) fin(s). In the case of a mandala, we use your mood board to pick out different patterns for the ‘rings’ of the mandala. The sketch will not be 1-on-1 copied to the board, as the freestyling and live adjusting is a part of the process (and will lead to the best results)
4. Cleaning and prep
You drop off the fins and I start with the cleaning. We want the painting to be there forever, yes? So I make sure the surface is clean so that the drawings will stick and stay
5. Drawing on board 1
I’ll find a peaceful yet inspiring place and get starrrrrrted! I use a pencil first to make sure I get all the locations right and then use my permanent markers to do the actual drawings. You might get some reports on the progress, depending on how focused I am 😉
6. Correction round
You have the opportunity to provide feedback. Please bear in mind I use permanent markers so maybe not all your feedback can be taken into account and implemented but it goes without saying that I try my very best
7. Finishing touch
When the corrections are processed (insofar possible), I add a finishing top coat to ensure the drawing stays well in the sun and the water. You are then invited to the formal and private ceremony to celebrate the rebirth of your baby fin(s) and can take it home afterwards (aka picking it up again)
8. Party wave
I want to improve, always. And I want to spread the love. In a short final survey, you will have the opportunity to provide feedback and write me a sweet ass testimonial that will inspire and motivate more ocean lovers
Why meeeee?
- 10+ boards done, for me, friends, and clients
- 20+ years of drawing experience (from the moment I knew how to use a pen, really)
- 2+ years of professional drawing and illustration experience
- 6+ years of project management and creative strategy experience in my company Denkfabriek Agency
- Educational background in (digital) design and art (bachelor of Design + Development in Belgium)
- Unlimited love and passion for the ocean, drawing, and creativity
- A good listener, critically analysing businesswoman, perfectionist, and mermaid
FAQ
Pricing
How much will my drawing cost?
The €85,- minimum price is based on a drawing that I can do in 30 minutes including sketches and correction rounds. In this price, I have included the introduction call and finishing touch as well. As my work is custom, you will receive a personalised quotation. The price of your drawing depends on the complexity as well as the size and of course the number of fins. I work at an hourly rate of €85,-.
Shitty reply that you can’t work with of course but it’s true. Anyway, for reference, here are some drawings including the numbers of hours put in.
- single fin mandala 2 sides = 2 hours
- queen of wipe-outs 1 side = 1 hour
- mandala 4 fins 2 sides = 5 hours
Are the prices including or excluding VAT?
All prices are including VAT as most of the buyers are customers and not companies. If you are buying for business purposes, the VAT amount will be stated on the receipt.
Can I get a tax invoice?
Yep, tax invoices will be provided by default.
How much is the shipping?
Depends on the size + number of the fins, the speed of shipping, and from where to where the fins have to be shipped. I’ll help you calculate this in the intro call.
How does it work with the payment? Do I have to pay everything at once?
It’s done in parts except discussed otherwise. After accepting the quotation, you will receive an invoice for the down payment of 50%. After I have finished everything, you will receive the second invoice for the remaining 50%. It’s possible to pay all at once or have the second half split up in more payment terms. Mention this in the intro call and we will find a way to make it work. The only this that is not negotiable is the 50% down payment.
Scope
Are the travel costs (for Ninarosa to come to the client or vice versa) included?
Nope, they are not. Get in touch to figure out where in the world I am based and if I am coming near to you anytime soon.
What’s not included?
- Travel costs for you to me or for me to you
- Glitter or any other fancy uncommon drawing stuff
So the intro call is for free but is the sketch too?
No, the sketch is not for free. It’s included in the price for the drawing but you cannot just get it for free. The intro call is free indeed and you don’t have any obligation after that. Worst case, you walk away with a better idea of what you’d want and some inspiration.
Process
How can I prepare the call?
Create a Pinterest board or other mood board so that I have an idea of what you have in mind.
How long does it take?
Depends one again on the complexity. Even if I calculate 4 hours, I can’t do all 4 hours in 1 go, given the intro call + sketch + correction round + finishing touch have to be done step by step and require your input. Additionally, the fins need to dry a bit.
Let’s say, for a fin that I spend 2 hours on, I need a week. For a set of fins I calculate 6 hours for, I might need 2 or 3 weeks altogether. It also depends on my schedule from these projects, my other work, and my private life. Maybe I don’t have the colours you want and I need to order them first and wait for them to be delivered. I will give you an estimation in the intro call.
How can I speed up the process?
Schedule the intro call as soon as you have an idea of what you want so that I can schedule the time in my calendar. You can speed up the process by accepting the quote + providing feedback as soon as you can.
Can you do a board as well?
I surely can, ma’am! Check out the custom surf drawing service.
Where are you located?
I am mostly based in The Hague but travel regularly, e.g. to Bali, the Canary Islands, or Portugal. Generally, I work in the GMT +1 timezone with working hours somewhere between 8am and 9pm. Just let me know where you are based and we will figure it out.
Fin requirements
What colours of fins do you accept?
All colours, although white on black is the most beautiful for mandalas.
What sizes of fins do you accept?
All sizes.
What materials do you accept? Does it have to be fiberglass or plastic?
All materials.
Others
I know you’re all about female empowerment etc but… uhh… I am actually male… is that a problem?
Not at all. If you support the mission, you are just as welcome as any chick.
What brands do you use?
For the board, I use Molotov graffiti markers. They stay on the best and are recommended by all ‘water artists’. For the fins, I use Posca, as they are finer and are also waterproof.
What style can you do?
I am pretty versatile. In the introduction call, I can hear you out on your idea and see if it is something I am familiar/comfortable with. As honesty is one of my core values, I will let you know if I can be of service or whether it is out of my league. But I am sure we will find a way.
Are there any limits to what you can or want to draw?
Well, it goes without saying that I am not going to write ‘fuck women’ on the board or fins. Hate speech is not welcome. But I am not quite a plaster saint and I don’t think you would have made it this far in the FAQ/website if you were a women hater or hateful person. So far, I haven’t had any requests that I had to refuse because it was going against my principles. I hope you’re not the first. We’ll establish this in the intro call.
Do you have a question that isn’t listed above? No worries, just get in touch and I’ll be happy to answer your question.