Commissioning Process

Commissioning  Process

Commissioning a painting is relatively straightforward particularly for skies, landscapes, still lifes or buildings. If you live locally I’m happy to have a face-to-face discussion regarding your requirements. You may simply want something to complement your home interior, or perhaps a painting or drawing of something personal, as a gift for a friend or relative. I’m happy to talk either way. I can travel if it is required but the cost of travel will be extra or you can e-mail me.

Prices obviously vary according to subject matter and the finished picture size. An initial meeting or discussion won't cost you anything, so do feel free to ask if you have any queries. l respond as soon as possible. If you do decide to go ahead, then I ask for a 20% deposit before work begins. The remaining balance is payable on delivery of the final artwork. Prices start from ….. As with all my artworks, post and packaging is an additional cost.

All artworks are supplied unframed. I’m certainly very happy to offer advice regarding appropriate framing options.

PORTRAITS
Portraits are a little more involved. The way I work is as follows:
Stage 1
An initial discussion by phone/email or in person to discuss your requirements. How big will the painting be and where will it hang? What medium is required oil, acrylic or drawing You'll get a rough idea of how long the artwork will take and, of course, the right price will also be discussed.
With all portraits a 50% deposit is payable before work begins. This is because I can’t sell a portrait easily in the event that a client changes their mind midway through the creative process.

Stage 2
If a portrait is local I can meet up or I can travel if it is required but the cost of travel will be extra.
My style of working is that of meeting a subject and talking etc This stage is crucial. It allows me to get a feel for the subject’s character and personality and so direct any preliminary sketches in the right direction. I also take many photographs for future reference whilst away from the subject. This first sitting will take about several hours.

Stage 3
We agree on a preferred pose/facial expression from a selection of photographs and/or sketches taken at Stage 2. This prevents any unforeseen surprises on final presentation of the finished art!

Stage 4
Work begins from my studio. You are kept up to date with progress Email and photos a presentation date is agreed at the earliest opportunity. I may also require one or two more live sittings with the subject if it is a local commission.

Stage 5
Presentation of the final portrait.

Internet Commissions

For internet commissions then the stages would be similar but I would have to use your photographs and we would have to agree up front via e-mail the exact requirements. Payment would still be 50% up front of the agreed price and progress photos would need to be sent regularly on an agreed basis.  Dependant on workload you would not be asked to send any money via PayPal until commission is about to be started. On completion of the commission Photographs of the finished work would be sent and a request for final payment and packaging would need to be made via PayPal

On receipt of payment from PayPal packaged would be sent with all details for tracking purposes if required.

Portrait Commission

So you are thinking of having a portrait painted of yourself or a loved one. Where do you start? What’s involved?  Have you considered the process?

When someone sits for a portrait they are not sure what is expected of them. We are all so used to people taking photographs that we can just shrug it off. But a portrait, even if it is a photographic one means we are being observed very intensely .This can be quite an unnerving experience. There is an element of expectation and unknowing. How will I be seen  We all have an image in our head of how we view ourselves.  So to expose that view to scrutiny can be challenging, exciting and enlightening. It is said that no two people see things in the same way. Well among artists it is very obvious that approaches to art are many and varied.

When choosing to have a portrait painted or drawn you need to see samples of portraits that the artist has produced. Most artists have a range of portraits available to show you, so you can see the style of portraits they produce.

Then, of course, the medium you choose will also be an important factor, be it pencil, oil, acrylic or pastel.

Each Artist has a particular way of working; some work only from life others only from photographic reference. I like to work from both, as it gives me and the sitter the ability to be flexible. I also feel the results are better if I have met the person. Unfortunately we do not live in an ideal world so work mainly from photographic reference.




             Lily Mae  pencil

 I am always willing to use reference photos that you provide as our busy lifestyles often dictate this is the only avenue open to us.

If you wish to have the experience of sitting for a portrait contact me as each portrait has individual circumstances.

I have carried out many portraits using pencil ,oil and acrylic. If you have the time and inclination, then for a portrait to truly work in my opinion, we need that close observation that only study from life and  time can supply. I would suggest this is more suitable to the older sitter who is capable of interacting in the process.

                                                                                                                       Annie pencil

If you are Interested just contact us via the information below.

                  

Lily Mae - detail acrylic& oil on board

 Price Guide:                                      Contact : petesportraits@hotmail.com

Oil based portrait head and shoulders 20 x 16 inches       £150.00 additional person £50.00

Acrylic based portrait head and shoulders 20 x 16inches  £120.00 additional person £40.00

                                                                      

Pencil based portrait head and shoulders 20 x 16  inches  £85.00   additional person £25.00