Portraits
A commissioned portrait is a beautiful way to
capture that vanishing moment in time and preserve it for future generations.
Commissions of people from children through adults are a specialty,
however, commissioned work of other subjects would be considered. Please
browse through the female portrait,
male portrait and group
portrait links to view
some of the portraits and observe the differences in the painting
surfaces on which they were done.
The portraits are painted in pastel on various types of surfaces, either of paper or masonite
board. The most common papers used are Arches Watercolor Paper or
Wallis Sanded Pastel Paper. With both of these, an under painting
of watercolor is applied first. Other papers that are preferred to work on are
Sennelier La
Carte Pastel Board, Canson Mi-Teintes and
Sabretooth Pastel Paper.
An under painting is not applied with these papers. All of the papers are acid-free or neutral pH.
When working on masonite board, gesso is applied first,
followed by an under painting of acrylic paint and finally a textured surface,
before the pastel is applied on top. The differences in painting surfaces can
be seen by viewing the works throughout this web sight. Also, you may
click on any of the painting surfaces named in this paragraph for an example of
a work painted on that surface. For portrait prices, please click on the
Portrait Prices link.
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Starting the Process
An initial meeting is set up with the client to discuss size, type and
general composition of the portrait. If needed, this can be done over the
phone. Next is a photographic session with the individual to be painted.
A non-refundable deposit of $50.00, which will be applied to the total cost of
the portrait, will be due at this time. If there is travel involved, there
will be an extra charge if it is outside the Oklahoma City Metro area. If
you are needing a portrait to be done for an event such as Christmas or a
birthday, please allow 3-6 months from the photo session for it to be completed.
After the photos are ready, they will be mailed to the client to
decide on the best pose. Another meeting is set up to discuss final pose,
details and adjustments to be made, and agreement on how the final
portrait is to look. At this time the artist will provide the client with
an "Artwork Commission Agreement" where the details of the portrait will be put
into a contract. Again, if needed, this phase of the commission process
can be done over the phone, e-mail and mail.
After the "Artwork Commission Agreement" is signed, one-third the
price of the work is due as a down payment. The artist will then begin the
process of the actual portrait painting. When the work is approximately two-thirds completed
documentation of the progress of the work may be made by an image e-mailed to
the client or personal inspection of the actual work, whichever is most
convenient. At this time the second payment will be due.
Upon completion of the work , the artist will notify the client so that
arrangements can be made to receive the work. If picked up personally at
the artist's studio the final payment will be due, or arrangements may be made
for shipment of work. To contact the artist to begin the process of
commissioning a portrait you may click the
e-mail link here.
Shipment of Work
If the work is to be shipped, the shipping charge will be added to the
final payment which must be received before release of the work. Shipping
charges average $15.00 for UPS and will increase as the size and value of
work increases and/or a different carrier is chosen. The client will be
notified of the estimated arrival date.
