Commissioned Portrait Procedures and Fees

• PORTRAIT PROCEDURES:

• Working from Life and with Photo References
• Tina will travel to the client’s location to obtain information needed to complete a commissioned portrait. This would normally include one to two days at the client’s location. During this visit the artist will spend time getting to know the subject, and discuss with the client the details of the portrait including pose, clothing and accessories, setting, composition, and medium. Other factors to be discussed are where the portrait will hang, and any precedent to be followed.
• During this visit, the artist will also complete a digital photo shoot of the subject in one or more changes of clothing, settings and poses. Allow two to three hours for the photography set-up and photographing the subject.
• Following the photo shoot, the artist and client will review the photos on a laptop computer, and together will make final selections of the photo or photos the artist will use as reference to create the portrait in the studio.
• The artist might also choose to complete a head sketch in oil of the subject from life. This is based on the subject's age and ability to sit for a sketch from life., Approximately two hours is needed to complete the sketch, which can be done at most any location. This sketch is not required, but can be a valuable resource for the artist when planning the final portrait.
• During the process of creating the painting, the artist will work from  the selected reference photos and sketches from life.  An additional sitting may be requested as needed, to be conducted either in the artist’s or the client’s location. Though not mandatory, a final sitting is helpful to complete the portrait, particularly for any minor adjustment necessary for completion of the desired expression of the portrait.

• Working from Photo References Alone
• Many times, the client will already have a particular photograph that he or she wishes to be used as the primary reference for a portrait or figurative painting. This is especially true when creating portraits of children. When this is the case, the artist will look at the client's photographs to determine if they are suitable references for creating a portrait; if so, a photo shoot of the subject may not be necessary, though the artist may still wish to take photographs for additional reference material. It is always desirable, when possible, for the artist to meet and spend time becoming acquainted with the subject, so that his or her character may be more accurately captured in the painting.

• FEES:  Portrait fees range from $500 - $5000 and are based on pose, background, medium used and size of canvas.