Getting Started:
Things to consider in creating a portrait you will love:
Who will be in your Portrait?
What mood do you want to create?
Is there a specific place (ie the beach) you want to capture your portrait in?
Is there a specific (and relatively sedentary) activity you imagine the sitter to be doing in this portrait?
Is there a specific piece of clothing you would like to incorporate? If so do you have the article available or a photo of it being worn?
Do you have a predetermined place for this portrait and if so does that determine the size of the picture?
Collecting Images:
I typically work from a collection of photographs provided to me by the family and sometimes fortified by my own photos. Ideally, I would have a sitting with each person in the portrait, but am able to do the portrait from photographs if necessary. I feel that catching the gesture of the person is one of the keys to a real likeness. In collecting images of any sort, it is this natural body language that I am hoping to capture.
In doing a sitting, I would prefer to come to your house so that the sitter is at his/her most comfortable. Although it is hard to determine how long it will take to get an adequate sketch or gesture drawing. The sitter should plan on an hour and a half. If there is more than one person in the painting, I can either do more than one sitting or have both done in an extended sitting. For children I would plan on having them color, read, or play with something while I draw sketches. I will minimize the amount of posed or still time for both children and adults.
In the event that I am working solely from photographs, the sitter’s photographs will play a larger role. In collecting pictures for the portrait, I prefer pictures where the person is not looking at the camera and is not smiling, because a direct gaze and a smile often create a haunted look. I tend to gravitate toward contemplative, or still photographs. Sorority-style “candids” are of very little use to me. When choosing your photos please let me know if the image is without duplicate or highly cherished. In this case I will likely try to get a digital image so that I can get it back to you before it enters the danger zone of my painting area.
During the process:I will create numerous sketches, thumbnails and studies of your portrait. If you would like to meet and discuss your portrait at this stage, it would be the best time for your input. I typically avoid having people see the painting during the process, because, as I build up the painting ,almost every stage changes the whole painting. As I get near the end, it does seem to help to have you look at the portrait and get your impression of how well I have captured each person’s features. (This can be done electronically) However, if at delivery you are not happy with the painting, I will work closely with you to make the necessary changes. As I depend on your positive word-of-mouth, I want you to be completely satisfied.
Who will be in your Portrait?
What mood do you want to create?
Is there a specific place (ie the beach) you want to capture your portrait in?
Is there a specific (and relatively sedentary) activity you imagine the sitter to be doing in this portrait?
Is there a specific piece of clothing you would like to incorporate? If so do you have the article available or a photo of it being worn?
Do you have a predetermined place for this portrait and if so does that determine the size of the picture?
Collecting Images:
I typically work from a collection of photographs provided to me by the family and sometimes fortified by my own photos. Ideally, I would have a sitting with each person in the portrait, but am able to do the portrait from photographs if necessary. I feel that catching the gesture of the person is one of the keys to a real likeness. In collecting images of any sort, it is this natural body language that I am hoping to capture.
In doing a sitting, I would prefer to come to your house so that the sitter is at his/her most comfortable. Although it is hard to determine how long it will take to get an adequate sketch or gesture drawing. The sitter should plan on an hour and a half. If there is more than one person in the painting, I can either do more than one sitting or have both done in an extended sitting. For children I would plan on having them color, read, or play with something while I draw sketches. I will minimize the amount of posed or still time for both children and adults.
In the event that I am working solely from photographs, the sitter’s photographs will play a larger role. In collecting pictures for the portrait, I prefer pictures where the person is not looking at the camera and is not smiling, because a direct gaze and a smile often create a haunted look. I tend to gravitate toward contemplative, or still photographs. Sorority-style “candids” are of very little use to me. When choosing your photos please let me know if the image is without duplicate or highly cherished. In this case I will likely try to get a digital image so that I can get it back to you before it enters the danger zone of my painting area.
During the process:I will create numerous sketches, thumbnails and studies of your portrait. If you would like to meet and discuss your portrait at this stage, it would be the best time for your input. I typically avoid having people see the painting during the process, because, as I build up the painting ,almost every stage changes the whole painting. As I get near the end, it does seem to help to have you look at the portrait and get your impression of how well I have captured each person’s features. (This can be done electronically) However, if at delivery you are not happy with the painting, I will work closely with you to make the necessary changes. As I depend on your positive word-of-mouth, I want you to be completely satisfied.
After the painting is delivered:
When the painting is delivered, please spend some time with the painting. If you are not satisfied or feel that a change needs to be made, please let me know as soon as possible, preferably within the first week or so. If something does not ring true with you, please ask, it may be that a simple adjustment will fix it. In the case that a long period of time has passed, I reserve the right to ask for compensation for the changes.
*All paintings are done in oil on canvas unless other arrangements have been made.
