Procedure and Fees for Portrait Commissions

About the artist : Portrait Portfolio : Artist's Home Page

If you are serious about commissioning a picture, we will first discuss your requirements and agree a price, [see table "Prices of portrait commissions"] . You pay a deposit of 33% at this stage. A portrait will normally take about eight weeks from receiving your photos, although I will always try to work to a specific time requirement such as a birthday, if requested.

Many people prefer to commission a portrait using existing photographs. I am happy to do this although it is more satisfying to paint from a live model. There are other ways of gathering the information needed, which I describe below.

The process can be described by 8 steps, following the deposit.

0] 33% deposit. This gets you onto my waiting list.
1] Information received by artist. [photos, sittings or video footage.]
2] Working sketches in pencil or chalk.
3] Sketch given to the client, free of charge.
4] Painting the portrait.
5] Painting approved.
6] Balance of payment.
7] Picture dispatched.
8] Picture accepted

1. Information:
This can be gathered in several different ways, shown below.

a] Live sittings of about an hour, in my studio or in the clients home. During the first of these I will sketch, paint and take pictures. If possible, this is followed at a later stage by two more sittings. In between sittings I will continue to work on the portrait using the sketches and photographs. I love painting from life. I try to make it as painless as possible for my models. This is not just altruistic, I prefer to paint an alert interested expression rether than a bored one. Sometimes I have a TV showing behind me. Occasionally I can arrange to have a mirror behind me so that the sitter can see me painting.

b] A single meeting with the model, in a place we mutually agree, at which I will take video footage and photographs. The meeting place could be in my studio, at the client's home, or somewhere else entirely. On the steps of the National Gallery in London is a favourite meeting place.

c] You compile and send video footage and photographs, shot according to my instructions.

d] You send me several, good, existing photographs, holiday snaps and / or video. I will scan the photographs, if you send them by post, and return them quickly. Alternatively you can scan them and send them by e-mail.

2. Initial sketches in pencil or chalk:
I will use this information to produce one or more initial sketches in chalk or pencil. You will inspect these on line.

3. Sketch given to the client, free of charge:
You can choose one of these sketches. It is yours to keep, even if you do not wish to continue with the commission. The design of the portrait is important. There are many variables. Often the source of information is critical; I may favour a particular still shot taken from a video sequence, but I need confirmation that this shows a good likeness of the subject.
4. Painting the portrait:
I will then start on the main portrait, which will be on a prepared canvas and will be painted in artist's quality oil paints. You are welcome to visit me at my studio at any stage.
Oil paints impose their own agenda. The paints dry slowly, so the process cannot be hurried. Portrait painting is also by nature a slow process. I need to live with a portrait to see it properly, making small adjustments or large ones to achieve the expression I feel the painting requires.
5. Approval of the portrait:
This can be done on line or by visiting my studio. If you are happy to complete the purchase you pay the balance [6]
and I will dispatch the portrait [7]. If you do not like the portrait you do not buy it. The deposit will have paid for the materials and contributed towards my living expenses. I will also be free to sell the picture elsewhere. After you have received the portrait, you still have the right to return it if you do not like it, within 2 weeks. I will repay the purchase price, less the deposit.

Prices of portrait commissions

	Canvas size	Price in £	Approximate price in $
Head	11" x 14"	£300	$500
Head	14" x 18"	£500	$800
Head and shoulders	16" x 20"	£600	$1000
Head and shoulders	20" x 24"	£900	$1400
Half-figure without hands	24" x 30"	£1400	$2300
Half-figure with hands	28" x 36"	£2000	$3200
Larger three-quarter figure	30" x 40"	£2300	$3700

The prices are for single subjects painted on prepared, stretched canvas with artist's quality paints.
The background is non specific.
If you require a canvas size, which is not standard, this can be arranged.
Subsequent portraits can be commissioned by the same client for 80% of these prices.
Animals cost about half of these prices. They are painted from your photographs.

Additional costs:
Travel and accomodation expenses, if any are incurred.
Video translation [to VHS, video 8 or miniDV], if required.
Postage and insurance costs. Framing.
For each extra figure in the composition add 60%.
For each extra animal in the composition add 30%.
If you require a detailed background add 50%.