The Portrait Procedure

Having a portrait painted should be a unique and pleasant experience. It is a tremendous joy for me to create a painting that I know will have such significance to the client. This is an opportunity to develop a one of a kind work of art that will be enjoyed by generations to come. Portraiture has always held a special interest for me. Not only is there the specific challenge of capturing a person’s physical likeness, but also their personality and sense of presence. My landscape inspired portraits add a mysterious quality, obscuring reality by blurring the line between foreground and background. Ultimately, my goal is to create a portrait that looks and feels so true to the individual, that future generations will have an authentic sense of the personality behind the portrait.

The procedure usually begins with an e-mail or phone call to me expressing your interest in having a portrait painted. There are many elements that need to be discussed before proceeding. Consider the mood that you would like the painting to convey. If you are interested in a traditional portrait then we would discuss the setting and level of formality that you would like captured. If you find my landscape inspired portraits intriguing then there are many compositional design, clothing, and background ideas to be thought through. Are there color preferences to consider (this can be influenced by the clothing selected)? What is the location where the finished painting will be hung? There are numerous possibilities and I encourage my clients to participate as much (or as little) as they choose when planning the direction of their painting. Once we have discussed some ideas about your portrait, a time is determined for a photography session with the subject. This is usually in or around the client’s home, but can also be at another location with unique possibilities. It is important that the location chosen is a place that is comfortable for the subject in order to enhance the desired mood for the portrait painting.

During the photography session, I will take numerous photos (either film, digital, or both). This process usually takes a few hours. Depending on the situation, sketches and/or color studies might also be done at this time. Ideally, the photographs will be developed immediately, or displayed digitally, in order to review them together. In many instances a great photograph does not necessarily translate into a beautiful painting. I will review the photographs and make recommendations as to which I feel will make a successful portrait. Ultimately, it is the subject, friends, or family who know which expression and pose captures the personality and presence of the person being painted. Once the photo(s) have been selected, I will return to my studio and work with the pictures and materials gathered in order to make a final composition. Depending on the complexity of the painting, a sketch or a color study will be presented to you. If possible, we meet again in order to approve the final composition. Otherwise this can be done by mail or viewed as a digital file. After the composition is approved, the finished portrait should be ready in two to six months, depending on the complexity of the painting and my work schedule at the time.

 

• Each portrait is priced individually. The cost is determined after the artist and client have discussed the various elements intended (size, setting, complexity, etc.).
• Fifty percent of the agreed upon price is required at the time of the photography session and a contract will be signed prior to commencement of the commission (non refundable).
  
• The balance is due upon acceptance of the portrait by the client.
  
• Children's prices to age 14.
  
• Each additional figure in the painting is 70% of the single portrait.
  
• Group pricing is dependent on how much of figures are shown and the size of the canvas.
  
• Pets are an additional price dependant on the size of animal and amount of body shown.
  
• For more elaborate backgrounds (i.e. detailed nature settings, intricate interiors, furniture or props) there will be an additional fee depending on the size and complexity of the painting.
  
• Framing is an additional expense. I will either arrange for appropriate framing or I will make suggestions to help select the framing that best compliments the painting, in addition to suiting the style of the client, and the location where the painting will be displayed.
• All travel expenses pertaining to the commission; airfare, car, hotel, etc. will be additional.
  
• Applicable sales tax, and shipping/packaging are additional.
  
• Posthumous Portraits are also available from old or recent photographs. I prefer referencing several photos in order to capture a well-rounded representation of the person whose memory is so special.
  
• Upon delivery of the portrait, the patron is allowed one revision, if necessary. However, any other revisions will be charged accordingly in conjunction with distance, time and extent of revision.