My portraits are done in the classical method with oil colors on stretched premium grade linen canvas so your portrait will last for hundreds of years with proper care. I paint mainly from photographs and may require one or two sittings with the subject. I will come to your home and take my own photographs. I usually take two to three rolls of film. After they are developed you will receive a packet with the photographs and sketches and my written suggestions for the portrait. You can decide at your leisure which of the photographs you would like for me to work from. At this time we can also discuss where the picture will be placed in your home, its size, the background color and whether your tastes are more formal or contemporary for example. I will also make color notes of the subject's skintones, hair, eyes, clothing, etc. It is also very helpful if you have photographs of the subject that you think particulary capture their "true self" and personality. Just a note - while I can use professionally taken photographs of the subject for reference, I cannot duplicate any copyrighted photographs.
Before I begin the portrait I will need a non-refundable deposit of one-third the cost of the painting. Should you decline to accept the portrait upon completion you will owe me nothing more and I will keep the portrait. I will provide a written statement of the size, price and estimated date of delivery (usually 6 to 8 weeks).
I can paint color portraits of deceased subjects from old photographs even if they are in black and white or sepia tone. I can do composite portraits from separate photographs of family members.
I can paint a portrait of your pet from the same portrait procedure described above.