PRICING

REGULAR PRICING

Charcoal head and shoulders drawing - $200
Pastel head and shoulders - $500
Pastel three-quarters view - $1500
Pastel full length view - $3,000
Oil head and shoulders - $1500
Oil three-quarters view - $3000
Oil full length view - $5000
Prices above assume a simple background. Please email me with any pricing questions, such as multiple sitters in one portrait, pets, detailed backgrounds, etc.

THE COMMISSION PROCESS

INITIAL MEETING
We discuss who will be painted, the portrait's intent (family or official), and where it will be displayed. If possible, I prefer to meet the sitter at this time. Arrangements are then made for a future photo session. If the sitter is a child, we may make arrangements to have more than one photo session, because a long session may result in a bored face! The initial deposit (30%) is made at this time and a commission agreement is signed.

THE PHOTO SESSION
The location and clothing choices will already have been agreed upon. We will work together to photograph a variety of poses. I may also take close-ups of the sitter and of details (clothing, background, etc) at this time.

CHOOSING THE PHOTO REFERENCE
I take the photos home and select those that I feel will make an excellent painting. I send these to you to choose the pose that you prefer. We choose only one reference photo, and do not usually combine portions of one pose with portions of another unless I make the recommendation, so this is one of the most important decisions you will make. A signed copy is returned to me as documentation of the photo choice.

THE COLOR STUDY
A color study is a small, roughly sketched painting of about 6 x 8 inches size. It gives a general idea of the composition and the colors to be used. Before the finished work is begun, you will review and approve the color study. This is a time to make sure that skin tone, hair and eye color are accurately represented. The second deposit (30%) is due at this time.

REVIEW/MODIFICATIONS
As the work nears completion, I ask you to look it over. We have already agreed upon the pose and the details, so this is a time to make adjustments. The portrait is a collaboration between the artist, the sitter and the family, so I value your input. Never feel hesitant to bring up areas that you feel could use adjustment.

FINAL APPROVAL
Just like it sounds, you see the finished work in person to give your approval. It is now complete. The final payment (40% plus tax) is due at this time.

THE UNVEILING
Professionals’ portraits usually call for an official unveiling of the work. An unveiling party is also a wonderful time for a family to celebrate. The presenter gives a short speech, as does the honoree if desired as well as the artist and then… the portrait is unveiled. It is a happy time to enjoy the final results with colleagues, friends and family.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Do you work from photos that you do not take yourself?
I can, but I will need to see the photo in question. I reserve the right to refuse to work from a poor reference photo.

I want my portrait to be a surprise. Can I give you a photo to work from?
Contact me to discuss your circumstances. A portrait is a very personal gift, and lack of control over the outcome may be difficult for the recipient to accept. However, in the case of a posthumous portrait for a family member, there may be no other option.

Can you make a person look thinner?
I do not specialize in “artistic surgery”. I work from photo references: I cannot guess how a person would look in the same lighting/pose/dress at a different weight. So the short answer is no. The long answer is that I can do a lot with lighting, style of dress and composition to produce a flattering likeness.

Do you accept credit cards?
I accept payments through Paypal (www.paypal.com), which accepts most credit cards.

What if I need to cancel my contract?
I will work with you to do what I can, as I understand financial circumstances can change.
The first 30%: Refundable in full provided no work has begun. The initial deposit covers the extensive time needed to prepare for the portrait: to interview the family and model, take photographs, develop a composition, draw the model in charcoal and paint a color study.
If you find you have to cancel your contract and the work has already begun, I will give you a refund after deducting for the hours already put into the project.