Terms & Conditions

About this contract

H. SAMS is the studio of Helmuts Sams, an independent artist based in Latvia. This website offers custom oil portraits, painted by hand from photographs supplied by customers.

By placing an order you enter into a contract with Helmuts Sams on these terms.

How an order works

To order, you complete the order form, upload the photograph you would like painted, and pay through the secure Stripe checkout.

After payment we review your photograph. If it is not suitable for a portrait (for example, too dark, too small, or heavily filtered), we will contact you to discuss alternatives. If no suitable photograph can be provided, we will offer a full refund.

Every portrait is painted by hand in oil on canvas, built up over several sessions, and is an original one-of-a-kind artwork.

Pricing and payment

Prices are shown on the order form in euros and are confirmed at checkout before you pay. The final price depends on size, the number of subjects, and shipping destination.

Payment is taken in full at checkout through Stripe. If you use a referral code, the discount is applied to the order total.

Production time

Production time depends on the size and complexity of the portrait. As a guide, allow 3–6 weeks from the start of painting to dispatch. This is approximate, and more complex work may take longer. You will be kept informed at each stage.

If a delay is expected, we will contact you by email.

Shipping and delivery

We ship worldwide, carefully packed, with tracking where the carrier offers it. Delivery times vary by destination and are estimated, not guaranteed.

Risk in the painting passes to you when it is delivered. Please inspect your portrait on arrival and contact us within 7 days if it was damaged in transit.

Cancellation and refunds

Because every portrait is made to your specification (custom-made goods), the EU 14-day withdrawal right does not apply once work has begun, in accordance with Article 16(c) of the Consumer Rights Directive.

If you change your mind before painting has started, you may cancel for a full refund.

Once painting has begun, orders cannot be cancelled or refunded, unless the finished portrait is damaged in transit or does not match what was agreed, in which case we will repair, repaint, or refund the order.

Rights in your photograph and the painting

You retain all rights in the photograph you send us, and you confirm that you have the right to use it and share it for this purpose.

Your portrait is commissioned for personal use in your home. You may not reproduce or commercially exploit the painting without our written consent.

Helmuts Sams retains the copyright in the painted artwork and may photograph it for portfolio or promotional purposes. We will not use a photograph that identifies you in an intimate or personal way without asking first.

Liability

We take care to reproduce your photograph faithfully, but colours on screen always differ slightly from real paint. Slight variations are part of a hand-painted original and are not defects.

Our total liability under this contract is limited to the amount you paid for the order. We are not liable for indirect or consequential loss.

Governing law

These terms are governed by the laws of ${site.location}, without prejudice to any mandatory consumer protection rights you have in your country of residence.

Contact

Questions about these terms or your order? Email hello@hsams.art.