A portrait can depict someone's appearance and personality in a way no other art form can. It can be the most special of gifts; something the recipient will treasure forever and pass on to their children. If you have never commissioned a portrait before it can seem quite daunting, but thorough preparation and a great relationship with your portrait artist will ensure its success.
The first thing you have to do is realize that, depending on the medium used, the time to complete could range from an hour or so to a year or more - much more in the case of famous portrait artists. You can pay from $25 through to $250,000. The best thing to do is just to do a search on 'portrait artist' on Google and look through the portrait artists' portfolios that appear to get feel for the media and style of portrait that you like best. Graphite pencils typically cost least with oils at the other end of the spectrum.
The artists' websites will let you know how long the creation of your portrait should take and what they will require of you - perhaps including personal sittings. It could be that the artist lives hundreds or even thousands of miles away, in which case they will normally expect travel and accommodation expenses reimbursed. It could be that they need you to come to their studio instead. If you are getting the portrait done for a loved one, the sittings will obviously remove any element of surprise, unless the entire process is itself the present you are giving them. Alternatively you can choose an artist who is happy to work from photographs.
It is vital to establish a relationship of mutual respect with the portraitist of your choice from the outset. One of the best ways to begin a great relationship is to put both of your expectations into a written contract. The artist will almost certainly request a deposit of 10-50% of the purchase price of the portrait. The deposit is to safeguard the artist as your portrait will not be saleable to anyone else should you default. In the case of larger, more involved works, the artist may request stage payments. Most artists will expect to retain the copyright of the image, but this can be negotiated. It is more common for the artist to sell you high quality giclee prints of the original image which you can give to friends or relatives.
If photographs are to be used, these need to be of the highest quality. The services of a professional photographer may be essential. The artist will need to involve you at each stage of the creative process to be certain that you are happy with each stage before you sign off on it. This is because it can be very problematic or, with some media, even impossible to make changes to later in the process. If alterations are possible, their cost will need to be taken into consideration too. These difficulties can be prevented by good communication and mutual consideration. Furthermore, a good relationship between artist and client can last a lifetime and result in many more treasured possessions and heirlooms.
You also need to consider how the finished work will be transported and framed and where in the subject's home it is intended to hang. A big, multi-subject portrait obviously needs a suitably large and prominent position to be displayed. A small portrait will give the recipient a lot more options. Great progress has been made in lightfast pigments, but it is never a good idea to hang a portrait in direct sunlight.
If you follow the process and build your relationship, having a portrait created can be a wonderful and rewarding experience and will create something that you or the recipient will treasure for the rest of your lives.
The first thing you have to do is realize that, depending on the medium used, the time to complete could range from an hour or so to a year or more - much more in the case of famous portrait artists. You can pay from $25 through to $250,000. The best thing to do is just to do a search on 'portrait artist' on Google and look through the portrait artists' portfolios that appear to get feel for the media and style of portrait that you like best. Graphite pencils typically cost least with oils at the other end of the spectrum.
The artists' websites will let you know how long the creation of your portrait should take and what they will require of you - perhaps including personal sittings. It could be that the artist lives hundreds or even thousands of miles away, in which case they will normally expect travel and accommodation expenses reimbursed. It could be that they need you to come to their studio instead. If you are getting the portrait done for a loved one, the sittings will obviously remove any element of surprise, unless the entire process is itself the present you are giving them. Alternatively you can choose an artist who is happy to work from photographs.
It is vital to establish a relationship of mutual respect with the portraitist of your choice from the outset. One of the best ways to begin a great relationship is to put both of your expectations into a written contract. The artist will almost certainly request a deposit of 10-50% of the purchase price of the portrait. The deposit is to safeguard the artist as your portrait will not be saleable to anyone else should you default. In the case of larger, more involved works, the artist may request stage payments. Most artists will expect to retain the copyright of the image, but this can be negotiated. It is more common for the artist to sell you high quality giclee prints of the original image which you can give to friends or relatives.
If photographs are to be used, these need to be of the highest quality. The services of a professional photographer may be essential. The artist will need to involve you at each stage of the creative process to be certain that you are happy with each stage before you sign off on it. This is because it can be very problematic or, with some media, even impossible to make changes to later in the process. If alterations are possible, their cost will need to be taken into consideration too. These difficulties can be prevented by good communication and mutual consideration. Furthermore, a good relationship between artist and client can last a lifetime and result in many more treasured possessions and heirlooms.
You also need to consider how the finished work will be transported and framed and where in the subject's home it is intended to hang. A big, multi-subject portrait obviously needs a suitably large and prominent position to be displayed. A small portrait will give the recipient a lot more options. Great progress has been made in lightfast pigments, but it is never a good idea to hang a portrait in direct sunlight.
If you follow the process and build your relationship, having a portrait created can be a wonderful and rewarding experience and will create something that you or the recipient will treasure for the rest of your lives.
About the Author:
Johanna Pieterman is an accomplished portrait artist with over three decades of experience in fine art portraiture. Her website will explain the process and enable you to commission a portrait from an artist of your choice with confidence.
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