Frequently Asked Questions
What’s involved in the creation of my portrait?
I will travel to you for an initial meeting to go over the details of the commission. We will schedule the first sitting, and I begin the preliminary design work. I will work closely with you throughout the process. Once I have designed the composition, I will custom size and stretch the linen canvas and begin painting your oil portrait.
How much is my oil portrait going to cost?
This is a good question since you are investing your time and money into a work of art, carefully crafted by a professional designer. Your price will be based on the details of the composition.
My oil portrait fees begin at $4,800 for a head and shoulders; $8,500 for a three-quarter figure; $12,500 for a full length. For complete details, refer to Commission A Portrait.
What size canvases are used for the head and shoulders, the three-quarter and the full length?
I custom size and stretch each canvas, offering a broad array of options for sizing. The composition determines the proportion, since the subject could be standing or sitting. An average size for adult head and shoulders is 20” x 24”, and for a child, 16” x 20”. For a three-quarter adult portrait, a possible size could be 25” x 30” or 30” x 36”. For a full length adult, life size standing, a suggested size might be 50” x 84”, or 48” x 72”.
I really want a full length, but will my wall space accommodate it?
This is something we can discuss during our initial meeting. Your full length portrait can be life size or less than life size (I would suggest about 75%), and no smaller than 60” tall for an adult portrait. We will talk about possible canvas sizes, proportioned to the amount of figure(s) in the portrait. After selecting wall areas conducive to hanging the portrait, I take measurements to ensure the space will work. It is always important to allow extra inches for the frame as well as allowing space around the framed portrait.
How long does the process take?
The time varies with each commission and depends on design detail. Including scheduled sittings and preliminary studies, the usual amount of time can range from 3 months to one year.
Do I get to keep the preliminary sketches?
As provided for in U.S. copyright law, sketches and any other materials created in the process of making the finished artwork remains the property of the Artist. However, many of my clients choose to purchase the preliminary sketches for an additional cost.
Can I include my pet(s)?
Absolutely! They are family, too! Just add 20% of the cost of the first figure in your portrait for each pet included. For detailed information about the fees, visit my Commission A Portrait page.
What if I want a simple drawing instead of an oil portrait?
Beautiful portraits can be created using pencil or charcoal.
Fees begin at $950.00 for a head and shoulders, approximately life size.
A three-quarter figure, which includes hands, and ends approximately mid-thigh or just below the hip, approximately life size, begins at $1,600.
A full figure begins at $2,350.
More information is available on my Commission A Portrait page.
How can I share an image of my portrait with family and friends?
Since many clients want to share their treasured portrait with friends and family members, I have teamed up with one of the Southeast’s leading professional photography and digital printing experts to provide two types of reproductions. One type is a traditional photographic print and the second is a Giclée (zhee-klay) fine art print.
Giclée fine art prints are generated from high resolution digital scans and printed with fade resistant archival quality inks on fine canvas. The quality of the Giclée print rivals traditional silver halide and gelatin printing. Giclée prints can be found in many museums and art galleries, including the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the Museum of Modern Art in New York City. Photographic and Giclée prints are priced relative to the size of the finished print.