Portraits were very popular at a certain time in history, with artists capturing likenesses of individuals in artworks that are still seen today. Many individuals are not aware that they can easily commission a portrait painting today from the numerous artists doing such work, including those found at online websites. Artists use different methods and mediums and have varying levels of skill, so it is important to choose wisely.
One of the ways to see what an artist is capable of is to examine a portfolio of completed work. This gives an indication of style and shows what medium is worked in too, whether oils, pastels, watercolors or even pen and ink. You will instinctively be drawn to a particular medium and style that accords with your own tastes.
In past centuries, the individual having his or her likeness painted was required to sit for hours. Now the process can be simplified with the use of photographs. All artists have different methods and some prefer to work from a single, detailed photographic sitting. Others like to work from real life, producing quick sketches and studies and several sessions of this nature might be required. Yet others use a combination of photographs and real life sketches.
Some people may be under the impression that when commissioning such an artwork, it has to be a full length one. This is not true and many artists are happy to work on much smaller ones, such as those consisting only of a head or a head and shoulders. In fact, not nearly as many full length portraits are requested today as they were more suited to large banquet halls and enormous rooms.
The choice of background can influence the price. It is possible to select a simple, abstract one which is not as difficult to paint as a complex one and so reduce the price. Of course, you may want a scene that relates to the sitter in some way and this will obviously cost more. The clothing selected for the sitter can also influence the price. For example, someone wearing an elaborate gown would take longer to paint than someone in a simple dress.
The artist and client have to negotiate various details and come to an agreement acceptable to both parties. This needs to be spelled out in a contract and signed. Most artists require some payment upfront to confirm and this can be anything from a third to half of the total amount.
Finally, the artist can get to work on producing a preliminary painted sketch. This is presented to the client and helps them to visualize what the final artwork is going to look like. They are able to make certain minor changes at this stage if required. The artist charges for this sketch which is kept by the client.
If you think that commissioning portraits costs a great deal of money, you may be surprised. A small head portrait with a simple background can be reasonably priced and can make a wonderful gift for a loved one. Can be. Portraits can be kept for a lifetime and passed down to future generations, keeping memories alive.
One of the ways to see what an artist is capable of is to examine a portfolio of completed work. This gives an indication of style and shows what medium is worked in too, whether oils, pastels, watercolors or even pen and ink. You will instinctively be drawn to a particular medium and style that accords with your own tastes.
In past centuries, the individual having his or her likeness painted was required to sit for hours. Now the process can be simplified with the use of photographs. All artists have different methods and some prefer to work from a single, detailed photographic sitting. Others like to work from real life, producing quick sketches and studies and several sessions of this nature might be required. Yet others use a combination of photographs and real life sketches.
Some people may be under the impression that when commissioning such an artwork, it has to be a full length one. This is not true and many artists are happy to work on much smaller ones, such as those consisting only of a head or a head and shoulders. In fact, not nearly as many full length portraits are requested today as they were more suited to large banquet halls and enormous rooms.
The choice of background can influence the price. It is possible to select a simple, abstract one which is not as difficult to paint as a complex one and so reduce the price. Of course, you may want a scene that relates to the sitter in some way and this will obviously cost more. The clothing selected for the sitter can also influence the price. For example, someone wearing an elaborate gown would take longer to paint than someone in a simple dress.
The artist and client have to negotiate various details and come to an agreement acceptable to both parties. This needs to be spelled out in a contract and signed. Most artists require some payment upfront to confirm and this can be anything from a third to half of the total amount.
Finally, the artist can get to work on producing a preliminary painted sketch. This is presented to the client and helps them to visualize what the final artwork is going to look like. They are able to make certain minor changes at this stage if required. The artist charges for this sketch which is kept by the client.
If you think that commissioning portraits costs a great deal of money, you may be surprised. A small head portrait with a simple background can be reasonably priced and can make a wonderful gift for a loved one. Can be. Portraits can be kept for a lifetime and passed down to future generations, keeping memories alive.
