Portrait Fees & Procedures   PORTRAITS become heirlooms. That is why I craft all of my work to superior standards of archival permanence and quality with an emphasis on aesthetic excellence. At its foundation, portraiture is a collaboration between subject and artist. It is preferable for a painter to work directly from life and, if at all possible, that route should be the first consideration. But, the realities of our modern, busy world make working from photographs practically a necessity. Although more difficult to accomplish, results similar to work “from life” can be achieved using photographic reference instead. SITTINGS: Photographs — Unless it is a posthumous portrait, it is nearly impossible to use photographs provided by a client. (Sorry). I will take my own photographs as the basis for a portrait. Usually, this involves one session with the sitter which should last from 1 to 3 hours. The latter may accommodate both photographs and sketches. From Life — This requires a significant commitment from both painter and sitter (anywhere from 10 to 50 hours) but it is well worth the effort. TIMING: The period from sittings to delivery of a completed portrait can range from a couple of months to more than a year. This timing is discussed as part of the normal commissioning process. Please bear in mind that, as a rule, it is best to provide as much time as possible for curing of the oil paint, among other things, prior to delivery. PRICING:The range for portraits is from around $3000 for a head only or cameo portrait, to upwards of $20,000 for a full-length portrait. Variables such as a sitter's hands showing or including narrative elements in the painting can contribute to higher costs. Other factors may also affect the price depending on a client's specific needs and the individual situation. The range of fees as stated is based on the subject being life size or slightly smaller. Posthumous portraits may also incur extra costs. Portrait drawings are available and are priced lower than paintings. DIMENSIONS: The subject's scale, either life-sized or slightly smaller than life-sized, also helps determine the dimensions of the painting. Typically, a head-only portrait is around 18 x 14 in., and a three-quarter length portrait is about 54 x 36 in.. PAYMENT Schedule and Approval.  Although other arrangements are negotiable, an average situation is as follows: Before work commences, a written agreement is signed and a deposit paid by the client, usually from 30% to 50% of the agreed-upon price. This is refundable if the contract is cancelled prior to the first sitting. As soon as possible after that first session, a thumbnail sketch can be presented to the client indicating the composition and objective. When the proposed arrangement is approved by the client, work on the portrait can begin. If applicable, a second payment of 30% is payable upon approval at approximately the mid-way point in the progress of a painting. Then, upon delivery and approval of the finished portrait, the remainder is paid. Other Costs: All materials, both artistic and photographic, are the responsibility of the artist. The client is responsible for any travel expenses (depending upon the distance required) and accommodation expenses when necessary. Also, client costs include framing, taxes, if applicable, shipping, and insurance. All aspects as outlined above are, indeed, subject to discussion. The goal is to arrive at the best possible family or corporate keepsake, within a given budget. After all, both artist and client should expect a work of art that will be cherished and valued for generations.