Portraiture and Fine Art Paintings
Judy Sprague Fine Art
Commissioned Portraiture
Working from Photograph Provided by Client
Introduction:
I work from photographs provided to me by my clients. I started doing commissioned pastel portraits back in the 1980’s and completed over 85 portraits, all working from photographs. I tried having people “sit” for me, but I found that either they “wiggled” too much, or I couldn’t concentrate – I needed lots of time to “study” the intricacies of the face or body to get it “just right.” Then I moved to paintings of other subjects for the past thirty years or so, seldom doing a commissioned portrait, but occasionally creating my “character portraits” – which often sold quickly when I entered them in juried shows.
If I accept a photograph from a client for a commissioned portrait the photograph must be very clear and large enough that I can see details of the portrait, especially around the eyes. There will need to be discussion of what the client expects and what I can provide. I can provide examples of portraits I have created in the past. You can view a few "portraits" in my Pastel Paintings section. But for or the privacy of my clients I don't put their portraits on my web site. However, I can email you other samples so that you can see possibilities. I have portrait samples to include: infants, children, adults, bridal couples, anniversary couples, people holding objects or with objects in the background. All have been created from photographs provided by clients.
I don’t work “small.” In other words my completed pastel portraits would be no smaller than 11x14 for a single head and shoulders. When people say, I really just want an 8x10 – then I can’t do this. I need to work on a larger surface. My typical portraits are 16x20 or 18x24. With portraiture I price on the complexity of the subjects rather than the size of the painting.
My pastel portraits are created on acid free archival toned Mi Tientes paper from France, and when finished I deliver the painting to a framer for professional framing before delivery to clients. Once pastel portraits are framed under glass they will last hundreds of years.
While I have completed portraits in oil I am not accepting oil commissions at this time. I am limiting my time to pastel commissioned portraits.
Procedure:
- The client provides me with a photograph, tells me what they are wanting.
- We discuss the intricacies of the photograph and I tell the potential client what I can do with that photograph, the time frame involved, the materials used, and answer questions.
- The customer needs to understand that pastel paintings MUST BE FRAMED. Pastel can smear easily if touched – and only is safe if it is framed under glass. Pastel paintings framed by a professional framer can last hundreds of years –Therefore my price will include custom framing by a professional framer before it is delivered to you.
- You will want to know the total cost and expected time frame for completion of the painting. It would be a minimum of six weeks at the earliest and possibly much longer depending on my workload.
- You will want to know if you can get your money back if you don’t like the painting. So this is what I do. First, we discuss in detail what you expect and what I can produce. You can see similar paintings I have completed.
- When you are comfortable with placing an order and I have given you a total cost including framing, appropriate sales tax and packing and shipping (if you are not picking up the portrait in person) and a written Agreement has been created we will both sign the Agreement and a 50% non-refundable retainer will be required before I proceed. The retainer acts as a guarantee that secures my time. Much effort and time goes into the painting. The retainer signifies a pact between the client and myself. It guarantees my commitment to the commission and in return the client agrees to honor that commitment.
- I will email photographs to you of my work as I go along. That way you can see how I am progressing. I will email you a photo of the portrait for your final approval before I take it to the framer.
- When the portrait has been framed I will email you a photo of the framed painting. When full payment has been received your painting can be either picked up by you or shipped to you.
- Appropriate sales tax and packing and shipping fees will be figured and included in your price quoted at the beginning of our contract.
2024 Pricing: Per Person in Painting, plus appropriate sales tax, packing and shipping.
One Individual Two Individuals in Same Painting
Head and Shoulders $1,500 $2,500
Upper Body, some clothing $1,800 $2,800
Upper Body, clothing, arms, hands $2,000 $3,500
Upper Body, clothing, hands,+ additional objects $2,500 $4,000
ie: hat, bridal bouquet, chair, book