Commissioning portraits.

Photographs

For the time being, I work exclusively from photographs, which avoids the need for you to sit still for long periods of time and keeps costs down. If you live close to Woking, Surrey, I am more than happy to take the photographs for you. Otherwise, I can work from photographs supplied by you, provided there are no copyright issues.

If you are supplying the photograph yourself, please note that the better the quality of the image, the better the portrait is likely to be. If you can e-mail me a high resolution image, that would be ideal. Think about capturing an interesting expression or pose, and take care that the lighting works well. Too little shadow on the face tends to make for bland portraits and too much shadow can distort features, although it can also create an interesting atmosphere, if that is what you are after. Using the flash tends to flatten the skin tones, so please try to avoid using it, if at all possible.  

I do understand that supplying a high quality photograph may not be possible. Please let me see what you have, and I shall tell you what I think I can do for you.

Prices

The starting price for portraits is as follows:-

This price is for an unframed and unmatted head and shoulders portrait of one person, against a fairly simple background. Postage will be extra. If you would like a larger painting, a portrait of more than one person, more of the body showing, pets or toys included or a more complex background, the price will be greater to reflect the additional time which will be required to complete the portrait. Please contact me to agree a price.

When the painting is close to completion, I shall e-mail a photgraph of the portrait to you, or you can come and see it if you live close by, so that we can discuss final details. It is of the utmost importance to me that the portrait meets with your satisfaction.  

About pastel paintings

I shall send the portrait out between two sheets of strong foam-board, protected by a sheet of glassine. You will need to have the portrait framed behind glass with either a mat or spacers to prevent the glass touching the surface of the portrait. Although it is possible for you to do this yourself, I recommend that you take the portrait to a professional framer.

All my pastel paintings are created using the finest of materials. The majority of pastels I use are Unison, Rembrandt, Schmincke and Sennelier, although I also use Terry Ludwig and Winsor and Newton. At the moment, I am rather fond of Sennelier Pastel Card, which has a gritty surface, almost like fine sandpaper. It is expensive and it gobbles up my precious Schminkes and Senneliers at far too fast a pace, but I love working on it and the pastels grip the surface so tightly, spraying with fixative (which can alter the colours) is not required. I shall give the painting a good tap on the back before it is sent out to you, which will ensure that any loose particles there may be are dislodged before framing. 

Please do not be concerned that pastel paintings are not as permanent as works in other mediums, such as watercolour and oils. In fact, studies seem to suggest that pastel paintings, if created with high-grade pastels and papers and framed behind glass, are more durable. The pastel works of Degas are as fresh today as when they were first painted.  I hope to post more about the nature and history of soft pastels in due course.