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The Procedure for Painting a Portrait
1. INITIAL MEETING
An initial meeting is scheduled at the home or office of the client to discuss the overall goals for the portrait. These will include the size of the painting as well as the setting, clothing and lighting. We will also make a decision about life sittings and/or working from photographic reference.
2. pHOTOGRAPHY SESSION
Life sittings and/or a photographic session will take place at my studio or the home or office of the sitter. Photography sessions should take two to three hours. The client and I will review these images directly after the session to determine the best potential image. It is important that the vision for the portrait be decided collaboratively to avoid any unwanted “surprises”.
3. INITIAL SKETCH
I will then begin to work with the reference material to create a digital or painted sketch for the final work. It may also be necessary at this time to have the subject sit for a three hour color sketch from life. This session will be done in twenty-minute increments with a five-minute break in between. The sketch image is then e-mailed or shown directly to the client for potential changes and final approval. At this point a 40% deposit is due and work begins on the full-scale portrait painting.
4. PAINTING & REVIEW
At the time when the painting is two-thirds finished I will send the client a working photograph for review. If possible the client may also visit the studio to see the painting in person. Any reasonable alterations and additions will be agreed upon at this time and the painting will move toward completion. The entire process will take two to six months depending upon the complexity of the image and other pending work at my studio.
5. DELIVERY
Upon completion of the painting I will deliver or ship the portrait to the client. With final approval the balance will be due.
Pricing: Color Oil Portraits
My work is essentially life size and created with the highest quality archival materials. Paintings are oil on linen. Framing, shipping and long distance travel expenses are in addition to the prices below.
Head and shoulders……………………………………… $6,000
Half Figure ……………………………………………………$10,000
Three-Quarters…………………………………………… $17,000
Full Figure…………………………………………………….$20,000
Additional Figures…………………………………………add 70%
Inclusion of Pets…………………………………………… $2,000
Pricing: Drawings and Monochrome Paintings
Drawings and Monochrome paintings are also an option for portraiture. These images can be created more easily from life since the time required is far less than a full color painting.
A monochrome painting is an image created in a single color, most often a warm earth tone. This type of painting can be completed in six hours when working from life. The subject can expect to sit for twenty minute intervals with a five -minute break in between and a longer break for lunch. When the sitter cannot pose photographs can also be used. This is useful for children’s portraits. It is important to note that I can only work from images I have taken myself.
Drawings are on white or toned paper and created with conte crayon, graphite or charcoal. The procedure is the same as the monochrome painting. Both formats are in the 16”x20” range
MONOCHROME
(head & shoulders)……………………………………$2,500
DRAWING
(head & shoulders)……………………………………$1,500
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