Commissioning a portrait
An answer to frequently asked questions
HOW MANY POSING SESSIONS ARE NEEDED AND HOW LONG WILL THAT TAKE? Reckon with a minimum of two sessions. One and a half hour (with a break) is usually what people can cope with comfortably. This gives me enough time to get a good start. Both during each session and at the close, I will take several photographs. These are used to finish up in the studio.
IS THAT ALL? Well, no, to get a good impression of what the commisioner and sitter expect from the protrait, we talk it over beforehand. This leads to agreement on price, size, and other issues so that the sitter, commisioner and the artist know where they stand, after all you are buying a product that is still to be made. At this time the posing sessions are planned, starting with two sessions. The painting can take place either in the artists' studio or at a location chosen by the commisioner, in that case the artist has everything she needs with her, including drapes for the floor.
WHY SO QUICK? A portrait artist has to deal with several aspects. Daylight, which is the preferred light to work by, changes quickly, light and shade patterns can change dramatically in a short space of time. Painting for longer sessions will have the artist chasing shadows. When the sky is clouded over, there is less light than with a fully sunshiny day, which in turn has quicker changes of light. Each posing session the sitter can be in a different mood, despite all good intentions, light, mood, each will influence the painting. Taking these differences into account each session can lead to an entirely different portrait! Working more often or for longer periods would mean these portraits intermix, leading to lesser results. N.B. Each artist will experience this differently, have another opinion, and act accordingly.
WHAT IS THE PROCEDURE FOR A POSING SESSION? For the artist it is hard work to catch the correct information in the short time available. All the artists' attention is taken up by painting, keeping a good conversation going during the session is not an aim. People are free to talk to the artist, just don't always expect an immediate answer back. Before or afterwards questions can be answered, and issues discussed.
IS IT POSSIBLE TO SUBMIT A PHOTO FROM WHICH THE PORTRAIT WILL BE PAINTED? A photograph spans a short moment in time, a painting develops over a period of time and contains a collection of impressions. Not just the posing sessions, but also the contact and talks beforehand play a major role in the painting process. A photograph contains a mimimum of the information needed by the artist. A posing session provides a continuing flow of information that is woven into the portrait.
CHILDREN; CAN THEY SIT STILL LONG ENOUGH? Most children find it an honour to be portrayed and are often good to work with. The sessions are planned with the age and character of the child in mind.
MORE INFORMATION? contact