Portrait Commisssion Process

  • Here is a short information of what happens when a client want to commission a hand painted portrait from Sandra. 

  • First  portrait painting requires time, a painting of this caliber has to be well thought and planned. The following things have to be taking into account:

 

        a -Oils are a slow drying medium, the previous coat has to be dry before applying the  next one. Unless you                   want  a la prima effect for a impressionistic looking portrait.

    

        b- Drawing a face is not like drawing a plant or a tree where you can left  branches and leaves out  and add

            them someplace else. Every feature on the face has its right placement and design that the artist has to try to

            replicate.

 

        c- Aso is important get away from a painting and come back to it later to see it with fresh eyes.                                     When you look up a subject for too long it tends to disappear on you.

   

     For all the above an oil portrait needs weeks or even months to complete depending on the size of  the

     canvas, number of people being painted, intricacy of clothing, background and detail. Needless to say a

     professional artist has to use best pigments, brushes and materials found in the market that she/he can afford.

     

  

     It has been argue why the need to paint a portrait from scratch when there are digital cameras, smart phones and

     printers  to represent a moment in time. First of all painting a portrait is not as quick and capturing a likeness can

     be a   tedious, daunting work. Oil painting comes from the heart and only the skill and inspiration of the painter

     can  provide a special uniqueness and elegance that a regular picture cannot project.

 

    The best portrait painters capture the heart and soul of their client and the single fact that is a

     creation of  human   hands  is  something to be amazed at.

  

 

                              What happens when you agree to commission a  portrait :

 

 

       

              

 

 

 

 

 

Miss Britney Schrader

Initial Visit:

 

             Sandra begins the commisioned portrait process by traveling to the client's location to get to know her subject, discuss the details of the portrait and develope the pose, clothing and setting. Both the client and the artist decide upon scope, size and location where the portrait will be hang and all the other variables that will help the artist to present the subject in a creative manner.

 

Creating Reference Materials:

              During the Initial visit, the artist will take digital photos of the subject, then along with the client, she will review them as they will serve as reference while creating the portrait at her studio. It is common to have the subject pose and have a complete  sketch of the person's head, shoulders and sometimes hands. This can take three to five hours with rest in between. Sketches are invaluable to planing and developing the final portrait.

 

 

 

Miss Innana Hencke

A variation of this painting was done by the artist and bought by a British collector in 2014

Painting the Portrait: 

 

                Sandra will begin the work back at ther studio using the sketch, reference photos and the impressions she got while visiting her subject. She might contact the client soon after to discuss composition or other elements in more detail and may send the client simplified images that present an overall impresion of how the painting is developing.

 

When the painting is between half and two-thirds completed, Sandra will presented to the client for comments. Before of after this point, she may request and additional sitting either on her studio or at the client's location. 

 

Other Concerns: 

                The artist will keep all photos, sketches, layouts and artwork that she creates as references to aid in creating the final painting. These are not for sale. Additionally, she retains the right to reproduce smaller images of the final painting on her website and in promotional materials.

 

 

 

 

Skiler and Brantley Smith

Time Frame: 

 

           Sandra routinely finish a comissioned portrait between 2-5 months maximum after the initial sitting and the photo shoot. All depends of the size, clothing, accessories or backgraound requested. Sitting begins shortly after contract signing.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Paige Weaver's Oil portrait

 Payment Schedule: 

 

            First Payment:  Sandra riquires of  40% of the portrait up front. This is non

                                         refundable. 

 

           Second Payment: When Sandra presents the painting to the client at about                                                                         half to two thirds completed a second  payment of 30% is                                                                       requred. If the client is not satisfied with the painting's progress, he or                                             she can decline payment and terminate the project, in which case the                                                 artist keep the painting for herself.

 

           Third Payment:   The artist requires the last  30% payment plus all sales tax, upon                                                       delivery of the finished painting.

 

 Espenses: 

                    "I required payment withing 30 days of my submission to the client for travel,                                          lodging, framing and/or shipping expenses. These payments are non refundable and due                         even if the client opts to terminate the project before completion."

 

                                                      

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 PRICE LIST

 

Cameo

12” x 16”

$2,500.0

 

Head and Shoulders

16” x 20”

$4,000.00

 

 

Half length

20” x 24” to 24" x 30"

$7,000.00

 

 

Three Quarter Length

24” x36” and above

$10,000.00

 

 

Full Length

38” x 48” and above

$15,000.00 To $20,000

 

Portrait Vignettes: Where the face is fully rendered

buy the rest of the painting is in various degrees

of development.

 

Vignette

16 x 20”

$3,000.00

 

Please note the above size are an aproximation, all portraits are done life size and the above prices include a single figure painting against a simple tonal back ground. For two people or more there is a 50%  price increase.

 

The artist doesn't do miniature portraits.  For sizes bigger than life size is a 25% extra charge.  Portraits from old pictures or deceased relatives is a 40% extra also as the image that is provided usually  is very limited or poor and it represents quite a challenge for any professional portrait artist.