Wednesday 26 February 2014

What To Consider When You Commission A Portrait Painting

By Leticia Jensen


Portraits were very popular at a certain time in history, with artists capturing likenesses of individuals in artworks that are still seen today. Many individuals are not aware that they can easily commission a portrait painting today from the numerous artists doing such work, including those found at online websites. Artists use different methods and mediums and have varying levels of skill, so it is important to choose wisely.

Your choice of an artist will largely depend on the fact that you consider him or her to be skilled at what they do. You do not want to end up with an artwork that is merely a copy of a photograph. A true artist will capture more than just the likeness. Artists also work in oils, charcoal, watercolors, gauche and other mediums. On examining the portfolios of artists, you will inevitably prefer the style and medium used by one artist above another.

In past centuries, the individual having his or her likeness painted was required to sit for hours. Now the process can be simplified with the use of photographs. All artists have different methods and some prefer to work from a single, detailed photographic sitting. Others like to work from real life, producing quick sketches and studies and several sessions of this nature might be required. Yet others use a combination of photographs and real life sketches.

Sizes of portraits can vary from a small one of only a head to a full length one. It is also possible to do just the head and shoulders, or include the arms and hands too. The size depends largely on the location in which it will hang. Full length portraits need to be placed in large rooms or they are overpowering. Smaller portraits are more suited to the smaller rooms and to giving as gifts.

The choice of background can influence the price. It is possible to select a simple, abstract one which is not as difficult to paint as a complex one and so reduce the price. Of course, you may want a scene that relates to the sitter in some way and this will obviously cost more. The clothing selected for the sitter can also influence the price. For example, someone wearing an elaborate gown would take longer to paint than someone in a simple dress.

It is important to have a contract drawn up once all the details have been settled. This should be signed by both parties before any further work commences. Most artists require some kind of deposit at this stage which may be up to half of the total amount.

A preliminary sketch is usually prepared for the client. This should give a good idea of what to expect from the final artwork. At this stage, it is possible for minor changes to be made. The client often pays a certain amount for this sketch and is allowed to keep it. Only then does the artist commence with the actual artwork.

If you think that commissioning portraits costs a great deal of money, you may be surprised. A small head portrait with a simple background can be reasonably priced and can make a wonderful gift for a loved one. Can be. Portraits can be kept for a lifetime and passed down to future generations, keeping memories alive.




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