Commissioning a Portrait

Carole adores her two children and I see her as a nurturer; hence the pose with her enfolding arms. She also loves her jewellery and I see this as part of her character. She looks straight at us – she won’t shirk problems. Her essential good nature comes out in her (natural) expression..

On my preliminary visit, I become acquainted with the sitter and work out a suitable composition with them. It is very important to develop an empathy with the sitter to enable a true characterization to emerge. I’ll take some photos for reference and later comparison and I may do some pencil sketches.

After agreeing the type and form of the portrait, I will prepare the materials for the portrait and arrange the first portrait sitting. This may be over a weekend in which we would achieve three or four sessions with plenty of breaks.

After this first sitting, I take the picture home, study it, make compositional changes, etc. I’m happy to discuss the painting with the sitter as we go along, but would warn that it goes through several stages and many changes. I aim not only to achieve a likeness, but also a satisfying characterization of the sitter. This is so that people who know the sitter will be struck by the likeness, but also that future generations will have some understanding of the sitter. I also aim to produce a beautiful and valuable art work as well, which will appreciate in value and be a proud possession.

Eliza was twelve years old when this was painted. She is a sensitive girl with great capacity for fun and mischief. When she smiles her whole face goes into a great grin of delight.

If the picture is not completed in this first weekend, further work on the picture would be arranged at the convenience of the sitter. At the finish, I’m always confident that I will be able to present them with a picture they’ll be happy with.

We would need to discuss framing after the picture is finished, and I would include a later visit to varnish the picture if it’s an oil painting. Where a lot of travel is involved, the costs will be higher. There can be sittings in people’s houses or in my studio.

 

Pricing (not including framing or exceptional travel & subsistence costs)   Oil Paintings Charcoal Drawings Head £ 950   3/4 length £ 1,400   Full length £ 3,300   Head £ 440

Eddie was eleven years old when I painted him and he was quite a shy and reserved boy. Sometimes it is easier for the sitter to look away from the painter in these cases and can be an indication of character.

Please contact me to discuss your possible requirements, or for further details of the services I can provide.