Commission Fees - Oil

16" by 20" Portrait	$4,500
18" by 24" Portrait bust	$5,000
24" by 32" bust and hands	$6,000 - $7,500
30" by 36" Upper body and background	$8,500 - $10,500
32" by 40" Upper body and background	$11,500 - $14,000
40" by 54" Upper body and background	$15,000 - $18,000

The variance in above prices is included to show the price increase of more elaborate backgrounds. The prices above excludes the cost of framing. Additional figures within a composition will raise the cost of the portrait by 60% and 25% more for an animal. The client pays all expenses including all travel and accommodations, shipping of completed painting and taxes if applicable. These expenses are in addition to above stated prices.

The client agrees to pay a retainer fee of 10% prior to the commencement of the portrait. An additional 40% down payment will be made to the artist upon commencement of the painting. Additional payments are bracketed over the remaining time required to complete the portrait painting with the final payment due upon completion. The client is entitled to see the portrait in progress and may cancel the commission at any time, however, the artist is entitled to keep the 10% retainer fee, the initial 40% down payment. and any additional payments made up to the point of cancellation. The artist will also retain ownership of the painting if for any reason the painting is refused. All preparatory sketches will remain the property of the artist.

Procedure

In beginning a portrait, I meet with my client to discuss some basic issues such as the intended size of the portrait, where the portrait will hang and whether the the portrait is to be formal or informal. Spending time with a client before starting the portrait is of great benefit since it gives me opportunity to gain insight into their personality. This preliminary time also allows me to experiment with a variety of poses.

Next, numerous photographs of my client are taken in order to capture a variety of gestures and facial expressions. From these photos, the client and I discuss which image or combination of images will best portray them in their portrait. Concerns which address clothing and background material are also discussed.

Once a facial expression is agreed upon, I do a pastel study of the client's face. The pastel study is used as a color and value study of the client's face to be incorporated into the final painting.

With the selected photos, I return to the studio and develop several compositional sketches. After the composition sketches have been completed, they are presented to the client throught the US mail or the internet. We will discuss them and together choose a final image.

Afterwards, I begin work on the painting with the agreed upon image. Once the painting is completed, the painting is delivered to the client. If the client wishes, I can select the frame for the painting and have everything sent together once the frame is completed.

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