Portrait commissions

 
Commissioning a portrait should be an exciting and rewarding experience for both the sitter and the artist.

I aim to capture people at their best but flattery is not my intent -  For me the most successful portraits are honest portrayals which reflect the sitter’s character, painting from photographs allows me to capture fleeting expressions and helps to avoid a posed or static feel of a more traditional sitting.

With this in mind, and the fact that many people (myself included) are quite uncomfortable in front of the camera, a relaxed atmosphere for the photoshoot is a must. I try and make it as informal as possible, and use natural lighting and zoom lenses when I can to help keep intrusion to a minimum. It’s very much a collaborative process, everyone’s ideas are considered and opinions valued.

 

The following is a basic outline of the commissioning process:

I take the photographs in an informal surrounding of the sitter’s choice, usually their own home. We discuss  ideas for the portrait, having decided on a canvas size and price beforehand by e-mail or by phone. This is an important part of the process, not only to clarify logistics but also for me to get to know the face and character of the sitter a bit before I start. I then take the photos, depending on the number of people to be photographed this usually takes 1-2 hours. We have a quick look at the photos I have taken and note any particular favourites, then, after returning to the studio, I e-mail over a range of photos and we discuss which ones work best. This process can take some time, as it is very important that everyone is happy with the starting image. I then start painting, commissions take on average 3-4 months to complete.

The price includes tax, delivery and transport costs. The paintings are delivered unframed, but I would be happy to advise on and organise framing if required, at cost price.

Prices vary according to size and content, please do contact me if you would like an exact quote or any more information.