Being asked to paint a commissioned portrait is an honor. Working with clients to create a mutual vision is a privilege. When I paint a portrait I know that piece will be a cherished heirloom. People who explore my web site and like the portraits they see, trust me to meet their needs. I love to paint and enjoy working with patrons on their choice of pose, medium, complexity of composition. I want each new portrait to be my best effort yet.
I love to paint children, (grandchildren!) and pets. Portraits of special people, pets, and places make great gifts.
Landscapes
When someone asks me to paint a home or place that is special to them, I know that piece will hang in a place of honor. Landscape painting synthesizes an overwhelming abundance of information into a harmony that speaks to their emotional attachment t. When you compare a snapshot to a painting, you see and feel the difference.
Process
I work from life and from digital images or photographs..... either yours or mine. Your input is important to create your perfect painting. Please allow time for us to collaborate on this critical phase.
The initial consultation and brainstorming session is free.
Signing an agreement with deposit sets your place in queue and locks in your price. We consult photos, and maybe take more. If possible, I may also do a small quick color sketch for my own information.
Signing a model's release gives permission to include your painting online and in promotional materials. Your privacy is respected. As with all artwork, the copyright remains with the artist unless contracted differently.
We confer a second time to agree on a sketch for the final painting. A partial payment covers the work done up to this time and is due when you approve the sketch.
At last the painting begins! We keep in close contact and your satisfaction is guaranteed.
In general you can expect your portrait to be completed 6-8 months from the sitting/photography date. When nearly completed I'll need your participation in order to make any necessary adjustments in the likeness to your satisfaction.
Fees
are based on complexity, not on size.
Portrait fees begin at $700 for head and shoulders in oil or watermedia in standard 11 x 14 to 14 x 18 measurement. Pricing is based on how much detail is included.
Animals may be added to the portrait for an additional 20-40% depending on the size of the animal.
Landscape fees begin at $450 for a 9 x 12 inch oil painting. Complexity in a landscape generally involves architecture or animals.
Monochrome portraits in charcoal or pencil are 50% of the regular fees.
Monochrome oil or watercolor are 75% of the regular fees.
Pastels are 90% of the regular fees. For example this head and shoulders pastel portrait with a simple background is $630 plus tax.
You choose the medium and complexity and therefore control your price.
All travel, lodging, framing, applicable taxes and shipping expenses are in addition to the agreed upon price.
Final payment is due on or prior to delivery. Major credit cards are securely accepted online via Pay Pal; you do not need a Pay Pal account to do this (I do!.) Local checks and monthly payments can be arranged.
Thoughts on taking your own resource photographs ~
With digital cameras, it is possible to just keep shooting several shots in succession at no cost so take LOTS! You can send me jpg files.
Digital cameras do better than film cameras in low light situations too (natural light) especially if you steady the camera with a tripod or monopod.
You can take photos of a background if you want separately from trying to photo the child. I'll worry about the background, you concentrate on the child.
I got a new tip recently. Shoot in the garage; raise and lower the door to adjust the light.
Try outdoors or near a window, especially for children.
Watch out for dappled sunlight unless you want a more distant portrait pose that includes the background to explain the dappling…otherwise we just look diseased.
Shoot the same pose (as much as possible) both with and without flash sometimes.
Include a straight on close-up driver’s license type photo and both profiles just for information.
You must use your zoom feature rather than get up close. To avoid distortion.
Keep the kids talking while you shoot for a more natural expression.
We all know people who smile all the time or they just don't look like themselves; those would be the ones to photograph with a big smile.
In general, scoot down to the eye level of a child.
A prop (hat or toy or pet) makes kids and adults less self-conscious.
Get your subject chatting for a more natural mouth expression. Enlist a buddy to entertain while you snap photos.
Shoot several shots in quick succession.
White and light colored clothing show more information in a photo.
Try on several outfits. Be comfortable.
For group photos and individual photos you want combined in the portrait ~
If possible, have the people interact in some way.
Try different poses and different backgrounds.
You will need to take certain extra photos:
Line up the folks and take a distant shot to show relative height and feature size for information.
Photo them at closer range for comparing their relative skin tones for information.
Copyright 1998-2008, Nancy Moskovitz, Ocala, Florida. All rights reserved. No part of these paintings may be reproduced, in whole or in part,in any form for profit (beyond that copying permitted by Sections 107 and 108 of the U.S. Copyright Law and except by reviewers for the public press) without written permission from the artist.
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