commissions

The Portrait Process

My mentor William Whitaker once said, “The best portraits are based on classical principles of light and shadow. Flat lighting is good for driver’s licenses, and photographic lighting is good for photographs, but subjects lit by natural indirect interior daylight are best for painted portraits.”

My goal is to create a portrait that is the next best thing to the actual living person. An oil painting is archival and can last for centuries. It should be a perfect physical and spiritual likeness.

Because digital technology is now at a high level it is possible for me to paint from my computer. I invite clients to my studio, which has the proper studio lighting and conditions, then take digital photos. On request, I can come to the client’s location.

I work closely with the client during the painting process, keeping them up to date on the status of the commissioned work and level of completion. I can even send pictures of each stage via email if they so choose.

I do prefer to paint from life, but the subject must come to my studio. A portrait taken to the degree of accuracy and finish I find necessary may take up to twenty hours of sitting.

I use only the finest materials and high quality linen for all paintings. I use archival acid free paper for drawings. Works on linen are unframed. Works on paper include complimentary black frame and archival matting.

Detailed backgrounds and pets may entail an additional fee which will be determined on a case by case basis. Prices do not include framing, shipping and handling, taxes where applicable, or travel and lodging expenses outside the artist’s local area. These expenses will be billed as necessary.