Commissions

Portrait and figurative artwork may be commissioned, in oil paint on canvas or in pencil on paper. Generally, oil portraits will be painted close to life size, to allow for adequate rendering of the client's features. Due to paper size limitations, pencil portraits will be smaller than life, except for poses showing only the head and shoulders. 

The basic fees are:

OIL PORTRAITS

Adults:
head and shoulders (11x14 to 16x20)..........$1000
1/2 figure (18x24 to 24x30).........................$1500
3/4 figure (24x30 to 30x40).........................$2000
full length (30x40 and larger)........................$3000

Children:
head and shoulders (11x14 to 16x20)..........$850
1/2 figure (18x24 to 24x30).........................$1200
3/4 figure (24x30 to 30x40).........................$1500
full length (30x40 and larger)........................$2000

Pets: (11x14 to 24x36)................................$500

Oil portraits are painted on stretched canvas. Travel costs for the artist, shipping and framing are not included in the price. Unusually detailed clothing or backgrounds may require an additional charge. Additional figures on the same canvas are discounted 25%.

PROCEDURE FOR OIL PORTRAITS:
 
At the initial consultation, in person or by phone, the anticipated size, style, composition and price of the portrait is discussed and agreed upon, and at that time a brief agreement is signed and a 1/3 deposit is paid. A photo session is scheduled to take numerous photographs of the client.

The client is photographed for an hour or two and a small color study may be painted to record the skin tones accurately. The photos are reviewed by the artist and client either at the end of the photo session or by email. When the pose and composition have been agreed upon a small color sketch will be painted, and the client will give final approval of the design and size of the final painting. At that time another 1/3 of the price is due.

The artist will then bring the painting close to completion from the photographs taken. The artist may ask to borrow the clothing worn in the portrait, in order to have it available in the studio to capture accurate detail. If possible, one 'live' session will be scheduled with the client for an hour or two to adjust the color and capture details not recorded in the photographs. The portrait will then be completed in the studio and allowed to dry. The final 1/3 of the price is due upon delivery of the painting.

PENCIL PORTRAITS

Adults:
head and shoulders (11x14 to 16x20)..........$300
1/2 figure or more (16x20 to 18x24)............$450

Children:
head and shoulders (11x14 to 16x20)..........$250
1/2 figure or more (16x20 to 18x24)............$350

Pets: (11x14 to 18x24)................................$250

Pencil portraits are drawn on artist's quality toned paper (gray or colored papers available) in pencil, highlighted with white charcoal. The price shown includes a black mat. Travel costs for the artist, shipping and framing are not included in the price. Additional figures in the same drawing are discounted 25%.

PROCEDURE FOR PENCIL PORTRAITS:
 
At the initial consultation, the anticipated size, style, composition and price of the portrait is discussed and agreed upon, and at that time a brief agreement is signed and a 1/3 deposit is paid. A photo session is scheduled to take numerous photographs of the client.

The client is photographed for about an hour. The photos are reviewed by the artist and client either at the end of the photo session or by email. When the pose and composition have been agreed upon a small sketch will be drawn, and the client will give final approval of the design and size of the final drawing. At that time another 1/3 of the price is due.

The artist will then complete the drawing from the photographs taken. The portrait will be mounted and matted, and the final 1/3 of the price is due upon delivery of the drawing.

SOURCE PHOTOGRAPHS

The photographs taken of the client remain the property of the artist, although arrangements may be made for the client to obtain prints or digital files of selected photos.

Nude or semi-nude poses: In the event that the client desires an artistic nude or semi-nude pose, photography will be arranged in order to protect the client's privacy, with a third person chosen by the client present. The client will have the right to review the photos at the end of the session, and to require the immediate deletion of any images which have inadvertently turned out to be too revealing, or which the client otherwise deems inappropriate.  The agreement with the artist will provide that the artist will not display or disseminate the source photos to any person, or use them for any purpose other than to create the artwork.

COMMISSIONS OTHER THAN PORTRAITS

On occasion a commission other than a portrait may be desired - a still life, a landscape, a seascape, a 'house portrait,' a clothed or unclothed figure, dogs playing cards, etc. Prices for these kinds of work, depending on size, are generally less than for portraits. Please contact the artist if you are interested in something along those lines.